A handshake isn’t enough.
We help startups draft legally strong founders agreements that define ownership, roles, and exit terms — preventing conflicts before they arise.
Our team has helped 250+ founders structure clear agreements that protect relationships and attract investor confidence.
Why a Founders Agreement Matters
Co-founder disputes are one of the top reasons startups fail.
Without a written agreement, you risk:
- Confusion over roles and responsibilities
- Disputes about equity ownership
- IP ownership conflicts
- Founder exits without vesting or notice
- Loss of investor trust during due diligence
A strong founders agreement builds clarity, trust, and long-term stability.
What We Include in a Founders Agreement
Our legal experts draft tailor-made agreements that cover:
- Roles & Responsibilities – Clear job functions and decision-making rights
- Equity Ownership & Vesting – Prevents sudden exits or dilution issues
- IP Ownership & Confidentiality – Protects company IP and trade secrets
- Dispute Resolution & Exit Clauses – Smooth handling of conflicts
- Non-compete & Non-solicit Clauses – Safeguards your business from internal competition
- Founder Compensation & Benefits – Covers salary, bonuses, and equity-linked incentives
Every clause is aligned with Indian corporate law and investor expectations.
Our 3-Step Founders Agreement Process
We keep it fast, clear, and collaborative:
1. Discovery Call
Understand your business, founders, and equity structure.
2. Draft Preparation
We draft the agreement customized to your startup.
3. Review & Finalization
You review, we revise, and finalize for signing.
Timeline: 5–7 working days
Deliverables: Word + PDF Agreement (ready to sign)
Why Choose The Startup Lab
- 250+ founders agreements drafted for Indian startups
- Trusted by VCs and accelerators for diligence-ready documentation
- Clear, founder-friendly terms that avoid future legal disputes
- Drafts accepted by investors and company secretaries
- Legal expertise + startup experience in one place
We help you protect relationships while building a strong legal foundation.
Benefits of Having a Founders Agreement
- Reduces co-founder conflicts and misunderstandings
- Increases investor trust during funding rounds
- Clarifies equity, roles, and decision-making power
- Ensures IP is owned by the company
Creates a professional structure from day one
Common Objections (and Our Solutions)
“We are friends, we don’t need a contract.”
Even friends need clarity. A written agreement prevents future misunderstandings.
“We’re early stage and still experimenting.”
It’s best to define equity and IP ownership early — you can amend later if needed.
“It will slow us down.”
Our fast process gets your agreement ready in 5–7 days without disrupting operations.
FAQs About Founders Agreements
It’s a legal contract between co-founders defining equity, roles, and exit terms.
Ideally before or immediately after incorporating your company.
Yes, if properly drafted and executed on stamp paper or e-stamp.
Yes, you can amend it by mutual consent of the founders.
Yes — it’s commonly requested during due diligence to verify ownership and roles.
Absolutely — we can create a pre-incorporation founders agreement too.
Prevent Future Conflicts and Protect Your Vision
We’ll draft a legally solid founders agreement tailored for your startup.
Draft My Founders Agreement