24/08/2026
Some of the biggest business disputes begin with four simple words:
“We already trust each other.”
When a company first starts, partners are usually aligned.
Everyone is excited.
Everyone contributes.
Everyone believes in the same dream.
So decisions are made over coffee.
Responsibilities are understood verbally.
And sometimes, even major promises end with nothing more than a handshake.
But businesses change.
The company grows.
More money comes in.
New investors enter.
Responsibilities change.
And one day, two shareholders may no longer see the future in the same way.
That is when a handshake may no longer be enough.
This Tuesday, we are privileged to have Lee Kong Han, Partner of Hew, Lee & Co, joining our 10X Valley IPO-Ready Mastermind to share:
“Shareholders’ Agreement — Handshake Isn’t A Contract”
With more than two decades of legal experience, Lee has advised on corporate and commercial agreements, joint ventures, shareholders’ agreements, acquisitions and legal due diligence.
And this is an important conversation for every founder.
A good shareholders’ agreement is not written because partners don’t trust each other.
It is written because serious entrepreneurs understand that clarity protects relationships.
Who makes the decisions?
What happens when shareholders disagree?
What if someone wants to exit?
What happens when a new investor comes in?
And what happens when the company eventually prepares for something much bigger — including an IPO?
These conversations are much easier to have before the problem happens.
As entrepreneurs, we spend so much time thinking about how to grow the company.
But as the company grows, we must also learn how to protect what we are building.
Because IPO-Readiness is not only about revenue and profit.
It is also about building the right structure, governance, clarity and accountability behind the business.
Looking forward to another Mastermind filled with practical insights and plenty of diamonds. 💎
At 10X Valley, we bring entrepreneurs closer to professionals who have seen the issues behind real businesses — so our members can prepare earlier, build stronger, and avoid costly mistakes later.
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