Definition
What is founder agreement?
A founder (or cofounder) agreement records how founders split equity, how shares vest, who owns the IP, each person's role and decision rights, and what happens if someone leaves.
Agreeing these terms early — while everyone still agrees — prevents the most common causes of founder disputes. Have a startup lawyer review the final version.
Try the free cofounder agreement template →
Common questions
What should a cofounder agreement include?
Equity split, vesting and acceleration, IP assignment, roles and decision rights, time commitment, and what happens when a founder leaves.
Read the guide: Cofounder agreement checklist
General information, not legal, tax or investment advice.