A Founders Agreement outlines how co-founders will work together—covering equity, roles, IP ownership, decision-making, exit rules, and dispute resolution.
The vesting clause ensures founders earn their equity over time, preventing situations where a co-founder leaves early but keeps full ownership.

This agreement is critical for startups seeking investment, building governance, or safeguarding IP and equity.

Key Elements We Include

Equity Distribution & Vesting:
4-year vesting with 1-year cliff, milestone-based vesting, reverse vesting, or customised structures.

Roles, Responsibilities & Decision-Making:
Operational duties, board roles, reserved matters, founder authority levels.

Intellectual Property (IP) Assignment:
All IP created by founders belongs to the company, preventing future disputes.

Founder Exit & Buyback Rules:
Good leaver / bad leaver clauses, valuation mechanism, transfer restrictions.

Non-Compete & Confidentiality:
Protecting trade secrets, customer data, and business IP.

Founder Compensation & KPI Alignment:
Salary, ESOPs, incentives, performance metrics.

Why a Vesting Agreement is Essential

Without vesting, a founder leaving in the first year still holds permanent equity—crippling future fundraising and decision-making. Vesting structures prevent dead equity and ensure long-term commitment.