Set clear terms between co-founders, before disputes can happen.
ZegalWorks drafts a founders agreement that covers equity, vesting, roles and exits, while everyone still agrees.
What is Founders Agreement?
A founders agreement is a written contract between co-founders that records who owns what, who does what, and what happens if someone leaves. It is most valuable at the earliest stage, when relationships are good and the questions are easy to answer.
Founder disputes over equity and exits are among the most common reasons startups stall. Putting the answers in writing early, including vesting and IP ownership, protects both the company and each founder.
Who this is for
A good fit if you
- Have two or more co-founders
- Have not yet agreed equity, roles or vesting in writing
- Want IP created by founders to belong to the company
- Plan to raise funding, where investors will ask for this
Something else may suit you better if
You are a solo founder. A founders agreement is not needed, but IP and contractor agreements still matter.
You already have investors. A shareholders agreement will govern the relationship.
You are only chatting about an idea. Start with an NDA instead.
What you need
We confirm the exact list for your situation during your free consultation.
- Equity split
- Who holds what percentage, and how it may change.
- Vesting
- Equity earned over time, commonly over several years with an initial cliff, so a departing founder keeps only what they earned.
- Roles and decisions
- Each founder's role, time commitment, and how key decisions are taken.
- IP assignment
- All work related to the business is assigned to the company.
- Leaver terms
- What happens to shares if a founder exits, is removed or cannot continue.
- Restrictions
- Confidentiality and limited restrictions. Post-exit non-compete clauses are limited under Indian law.
What ZegalWorks handles for you
- Discuss. We talk through each founder's expectations separately and together.
- Draft. We prepare an agreement that captures equity, vesting, roles and exit.
- Review. We walk all founders through it, so there are no surprises.
- Sign. We guide stamping and signing as required.
- Align. We make sure the company's articles and share records match.
How long it takes and what it costs
Actual timing depends on how quickly documents are ready and on the processing time of the authority involved.
Your total cost has two parts: our professional fee, and any government or statutory fees that apply. Government fees are set by the authority and vary by case, so we give you an itemised quote before you commit to anything. A founders and shareholders agreement is part of our Armour package. See our pricing page for packages.
Get a Tailored QuoteRelated services
Most businesses need more than one of these. They are all handled by the same ZegalWorks team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to the questions we hear most.
Ready to get started?
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