Stripe acquires Clerky to expand startup legal infrastructure

Stripe has agreed to acquire Clerky, a provider of legal infrastructure designed for startups. The acquisition allows Stripe to expand its services upstream, engaging with companies during the early stages of incorporation and legal workflows before they require payment processing services.

Clerky provides automated workflows for incorporation, SAFE and convertible note documentation, and management of equity, options, and board matters. The platform is widely used in the startup ecosystem; Clerky-supported startups have accounted for 23% of all Silicon Valley seed and pre-seed financings, representing over $140 billion in aggregate venture capital raised. Clerky will continue to operate with its existing team and focus on providing legal paperwork infrastructure for high-growth startups.