Clerky
Legal paperwork automation for startups.
About Clerky
Clerky automates legal document generation for venture-backed startups: Delaware C-corp incorporation packages, offer letters, advisor agreements, SAFE notes, Series A financing documents, and board consents. The workflow is template-driven — founders answer a structured questionnaire and Clerky produces investor-ready documents without a law firm drafting from scratch each time. It connects to DocuSign for execution and pushes equity data into Carta for cap table maintenance. This tool fits one narrow use case well: a startup that has already decided to raise institutional capital and needs documents that satisfy Y Combinator, Andreessen Horowitz, or similar investor legal standards. Accounting firms advising pre-seed or Series A companies may find it useful to recommend to clients, but it is not a practice management tool for the firm itself. The gaps matter. Clerky handles the legal paperwork layer only — you still need QuickBooks, Xero, or a dedicated startup accounting stack for financial management once the entity exists. The integration list is short, the $799 per month entry price is steep for a single startup burning through runway, and there is no free evaluation period to vet it before committing.
Best for
Venture-backed startups wanting standardized legal documents that meet investor expectations
Key Features
- Automated incorporation document generation
- Equity management and cap table maintenance
- 409A valuation report templates
- Board resolution and consent automation
- Fundraising document preparation
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Produces Delaware C-corp incorporation documents that institutional investors recognize and accept without revision
- Automates SAFE note and Series A financing document packages, cutting the back-and-forth typically handled by outside counsel
- Board consent and resolution workflows generate executed documents without scheduling a formal meeting for routine approvals
- Cap table data syncs directly to Carta, keeping equity records current after each new issuance or option grant
- 409A valuation report templates are structured to meet IRS safe-harbor requirements for option pricing
- Offer letters and advisor agreements pull from standardized equity compensation terms, reducing the risk of conflicting provisions across a growing team
Cons
- No free tier or trial period — you commit $799 per month before testing whether the templates fit your specific deal structure
- Covers legal documents only; financial reporting, payroll, and bookkeeping require entirely separate software, so the total stack cost climbs fast
- Integration ecosystem is thin: DocuSign, Carta, and Excel are the full list — no direct connection to QuickBooks, Xero, or Gusto
- Templates are built around YC-standard and Cooley-style documents; startups with offshore structures or non-Delaware formations will find the coverage limited
- Smaller user community than Carta or Stripe Atlas means fewer third-party guides and less peer support when something falls outside the standard workflow
- Pricing is per-company, not per-seat, which creates friction for accounting firms trying to advise multiple startup clients through one relationship
Ledger Brief Take
This is purpose-built for the venture capital ecosystem rather than general small business formation — it speaks the language of Series A rounds and employee option pools that most accounting practices rarely encounter. While it automates the legal paperwork side of startup operations, you'll still need traditional accounting software for the financial management piece once these entities are formed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions accountants ask about Clerky.
How much does Clerky cost and what does the entry price include?
Clerky starts at $799 per month with no free trial. That entry tier covers incorporation documents, standard employee and advisor agreements, and board consents. SAFE notes and fundraising document packages may require higher tiers. Pricing is per company, not per user seat.
Does Clerky integrate with QuickBooks or Xero?
No. Clerky integrates with DocuSign for e-signature, Carta for cap table management, and Excel for data export. It has no direct connection to QuickBooks, Xero, Gusto, or any accounting or payroll platform. You will need a separate accounting stack for financial management.
How does Clerky compare to Stripe Atlas for startup formation?
Stripe Atlas charges a one-time $500 fee for basic Delaware C-corp formation and is aimed at founders who want a fast, minimal setup. Clerky costs significantly more on a monthly basis but covers the full legal document lifecycle through fundraising rounds, board consents, and equity agreements that Stripe Atlas does not produce.
Is Clerky appropriate for accounting firms to use in their own practice?
No. Clerky is built for startup operators, not accounting practices. It automates startup legal documents, not firm workflows, client onboarding, or engagement letters. Accountants advising venture-backed clients may recommend it, but it does not replace practice management software.
How does Clerky handle data security for sensitive cap table and equity documents?
Clerky stores documents on encrypted servers and uses DocuSign for executed agreements. The company does not publish a detailed SOC 2 compliance report publicly. Firms handling sensitive client equity data should request current security documentation directly from Clerky before committing.
What types of startups is Clerky not a good fit for?
Clerky is a poor fit for LLCs, S-corps, non-Delaware formations, bootstrapped businesses with no equity compensation plans, and any company not on a venture capital fundraising path. Its templates are built around institutional investor expectations and do not adapt well outside that context.