Corporate Structuring and Entity Formation

Gilbert + Tobin provides comprehensive entity formation, corporate structuring, and organizational advisory for businesses across all sectors, including Web3 and digital asset companies. The firm is ranked Band 1 in Corporate/M&A by Chambers Asia-Pacific 2026.

Service Overview

As one of Australia's leading corporate law firms, Gilbert + Tobin delivers strategic entity formation and corporate structuring advice that considers regulatory compliance, tax efficiency, governance frameworks, and future capital raising needs. The firm's expertise spans traditional corporate structures through to innovative arrangements for emerging technology and digital asset businesses.

What's Included

Entity Formation and Corporate Structure Design

• Entity formation and incorporation for startups, scale-ups, and established enterprises
• Multi-entity architecture and subsidiary structuring for domestic and international operations
• Corporate reorganizations and restructuring transactions
• Jurisdiction selection and cross-border entity structuring
• Joint ventures, strategic alliances, and partnership structures
• Corporate governance frameworks and board advisory services
• Foreign investment approvals (FIRB) and regulatory clearances

Startup and Venture Corporate Structures

• Startup-friendly governance structures optimized for venture capital funding
• Founder agreements and equity allocation frameworks
• Capitalization tables and equity management structures
• Employee share option plans (ESOPs) and equity incentive arrangements
• Entity structuring for regulated industries including fintech, digital assets, and Web3
• Pre-seed through Series A+ corporate structuring and governance

Regulatory-Compliant Structures for Web3 and Digital Assets

• Corporate structures for digital asset platforms, exchanges, and custody providers
• Entity design integrating Australian financial services licensing requirements
• Regulatory sandbox applications and innovative business structures
• Market entry strategies for regulated industries navigating evolving frameworks
• Compliance with Digital Assets Framework Bill 2025 and ASIC guidance (INFO 225)
• AML/CTF-compliant entity structuring for crypto businesses

Why Choose Gilbert + Tobin

Gilbert + Tobin combines Band 1 corporate M&A expertise with Tier 1 fintech and financial services regulatory knowledge, uniquely positioning the firm to structure entities that satisfy both commercial objectives and regulatory requirements. The firm's regulatory relationships with ASIC, APRA, and AUSTRAC enable proactive guidance on entity structuring for digital asset businesses entering Australia's evolving regulatory landscape.

Notable experience includes advising Virgin Australia on its IPO and return to ASX, Sigma Healthcare on its transformational merger with Chemist Warehouse, and Vocus on its $5.25 billion acquisition, demonstrating sophisticated corporate structuring capabilities across industries and transaction types.