Hi, there.Within a few days, itu2019s usually not that big of a deal to start before you have the contract finalized, although I always recommend to my client to send an email to the developer / contractor that bullet-lists the high-level business issues, and make sure that developer / contractor responds that he or she agrees with the high-level issues.Make sure your agreement has a u201cWork Made for Hireu201d provision in it, so your startup owns the copyrights to whatever the developer creates for you. Also, note that Pres. Obama signed into law the Trade Secret Act, that requires certain language in your contract if you intend to enforce trade secrets for your company. Read more here: President Obama Signs Trade Secret Act | Law 4 Small Business, P.C. (L4SB)Good luck to you! Larry.