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Founders’ Agreement - From co-founders to co-creators: Define the partnership clearly. Starting a company with co-founders? Define everything clearly from day one. A Founders’ Agreement protects your equity, responsibilities, IP rights, and decision-making roles to maintain trust and clarity between the parties. We help you draft balanced, future-ready agreements that prevent conflict and align your startup for success.
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Every thriving startup or new business venture starts with a comprehensive and enforceable Founders' agreement. Founders Agreement forms the legal backbone of a startup, aligning the vision, expectations, responsibilities, and rights of each co-founder. Without a clear legal document, even the best ideas can collapse due to disagreements, ownership disputes, or a lack of direction. In India, although there is no standalone law governing Founders' Agreements, these agreements are governed by general contract principles and sector-specific regulations. A well-drafted Founders Agreement helps mitigate future risks, avoid misunderstandings, and ensures the startup journey remains focused on growth and innovation.
What is a Founders Agreement?
A Founders Agreement is a legally binding contract between all co-founders of a company. It defines the roles, responsibilities, equity ownership, decision-making processes, and exit scenarios among the founding members. It functions like a business prenup, aligning the goals of each party and protecting the venture from future internal conflicts.
Purpose of a Founders Agreement
- Establish clarity in the division of labor
- Define ownership and equity split
- Outline rules for equity vesting and dilution
- Set procedures for dispute resolution and founder exits
- Protect intellectual property and confidentiality
- Foster trust and accountability
A Founders Agreement can be:
- A standalone legal document executed before or after incorporation
- Incorporated into the company’s Articles of Association
- Drafted alongside Shareholders' Agreements for investor alignment
Legal Framework Governing Founders' Agreements in India
There is no specific law for Founders' Agreements in India. However, they are legally enforceable under several general and sectoral statutes:
- Indian Contract Act, 1872: It governs enforceability and validity
- Intellectual Property Laws: Trade Marks Act, 1999, The Copyright Act, 1956, The Patent Act, 1970, Designs Act, 2000, Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, etc. It protects the IP ownership created by the founders.
- Companies Act, 2013: If a new company is incorporated
- Income Tax Act, 1961: Equity transfers and sweat equity implications
- FEMA, 1999: Applicable when foreign founders or cross-border equity are involved
- SEBI Regulations: If the startup plans for public listing or receives regulated investment
Parties to a Founders Agreement
A Founders Agreement typically involves:
Co-Founders
These are the individuals jointly starting the business. Their names, business intentions, and equity stakes should be clearly identified.
Each party should have the following details recorded:
- Full legal name
- PAN/Aadhar and address
- Role or designation (e.g., CEO, CTO, CFO)
- Equity percentage or shareholding
- Date of joining the venture
A Founders Agreement can also include:
- Additional participants, such as investors and major advisors with equity stakes
- Founders’ trusts or holding entities
Types of Startup Structures and Founder Roles
Before entering into a Founders Agreement, it is essential to define the startup’s legal structure and the specific nature of each founder's role.
Common Structures:
- Private Limited Company (most common)
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
- Partnership Firm
- One Person Company (not applicable for multiple founders)
Founders’ Roles May Include:
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Strategy and vision
- Chief Operating Officer (COO): Day-to-day operations
- Chief Technical Officer (CTO): Technology development
- Chief Marketing Officer (CMO): Branding and customer acquisition
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO): Financial strategy and fundraising
Each role should be clearly defined in the Agreement to avoid overlaps or ambiguities.
Advantages of a Founders Agreement
A well-drafted Founders Agreement offers multiple benefits:
- Clarity of Roles and Expectations: It ensures all founders are on the same page regarding responsibilities, reporting structure, and performance benchmarks.
- Equity Clarity and Vesting: The agreement defines how shares are allocated and vested over time, preventing co-founders from prematurely walking away with equity.
- Dispute Resolution: We know that disputes are common in startups. A dispute resolution framework, such as mediation or arbitration, helps resolve disputes amicably without engaging in costly litigation.
- Exit and Transfer Restrictions: Founders cannot sell or transfer their shares without mutual consent, ensuring strategic control stays within the core team.
- Confidentiality and IP Protection: This clause ensures that business secrets, codebases, trademarks, and innovations stay within the company even if a founder leaves.
- Investor Confidence: VCs and angel investors prefer startups that have legally sound agreements among co-founders. It signals professionalism and reduces risk.
Key Clauses in the Founders Agreement
The following are the key clauses in the founder’s agreement:
1. Equity Ownership
Determines each founder’s ownership stake in the company based on contributions and roles.
It specifies:
- Shareholding structure
- Basis of equity allocation (investment, experience, IP, etc.)
- Voting rights linked to equity
Important While Drafting:
- Ensure clarity in ownership calculations
- Address sweat equity or deferred shares if applicable
2. Vesting Schedule
Ensures that shares are earned over time or performance, safeguarding the company from early exits.
It specifies:
- Time-based vesting (e.g., over 4 years with a 1-year cliff)
- Milestone-based vesting (based on business goals)
Important While Drafting:
- Clearly define the cliff period
- Specify treatment of unvested shares if a founder exits prematurely
3. Roles and Responsibilities
Outlines functional roles and accountabilities of each founder to avoid overlap and mismanagement.
It specifies:
- Functional areas (e.g., marketing, tech, operations)
- Accountability and decision-making powers
Important While Drafting:
- Define success metrics for each role
- Include flexibility for reassignment of roles over time
4. Restrictions on Transfer of Shares
Protects the company from unsolicited or premature transfer of ownership.
It specifies:
- Lock-in period (e.g., 3–5 years)
- Right of first refusal (ROFR) for existing shareholders
- Share valuation methodology
Important While Drafting:
- Provide exceptions for events like death or disability
- Ensure compliance with company law precedents
5. Intellectual Property (IP) Assignment
Secures the company’s ownership over IP created by founders.
It specifies:
- Assignment of pre-existing IP
- Ownership of IP developed during tenure
- Joint IP ownership (if applicable)
Important While Drafting:
- Clearly outline the transfer process
- Include IP valuation terms where needed
6. Value Additions by Founders
Addresses non-cash contributions that create business value.
It specifies:
- Type of value added (e.g., tech, branding, know-how)
- Agreed value of contributions
- Equity or compensation linked to contributions
Important While Drafting:
- Define timelines and measurement of value
- Include terms of share issuance or compensation
7. Non-Compete Clause
Prevents founders from engaging in competing businesses.
It specifies:
- What constitutes a “competing” business
- Restrictions during and after the agreement
- Duration of post-exit restriction
Important While Drafting:
- Keep time limits reasonable (e.g., 1–2 years)
- Align with the Indian Contract Act (Section 27) to ensure enforceability
8. Confidentiality Clause
Ensures protection of sensitive business information.
It specifies:
- Scope of confidential information
- Duration of confidentiality post-termination
- Remedies in case of breach
Important While Drafting:
- Clearly define what is confidential
- Refer to specific legal precedents to ensure enforceability
9. Employment Terms
Covers employment-related details for founders engaged full-time.
It specifies:
- Designation and duties
- Compensation and benefits
- Termination or resignation process
Important While Drafting:
- Ensure consistency with employment contracts
- Include non-solicitation and post-exit restrictions
10. Future Financing
Defines how the company will raise capital and the founders’ roles in future funding.
It specifies:
- Form of financing (equity or debt)
- Equity valuation method
- Interest terms for debt capital
Important While Drafting:
- Include pre-emptive rights for founders
- Define founder obligations for additional capital contributions
11. Termination Rights
Lays out the conditions under which the agreement may be terminated.
It specifies:
- Termination for cause (e.g., misconduct, breach)
- Termination without cause (with notice)
- Termination by mutual consent
- Termination based on defined milestones
Important While Drafting:
- Define “cause” precisely
- Align with other provisions (vesting, IP, employment) for consistency
12. Dispute Resolution
Addresses how conflicts among founders will be resolved during the life of the company or after a founder’s exit.
It specifies:
Multi-step resolution process (e.g., negotiation, mediation, arbitration)
- Mode of arbitration (binding or non-binding)
- Preferred forum (institutional or ad hoc arbitration)
- Governing law applicable to the agreement
- Jurisdiction or venue for dispute settlement (court or arbitral tribunal)
Important While Drafting:
- Clearly define each stage of the resolution process
- Specify the seat, language, and rules of arbitration
- Ensure enforceability in line with Indian Contract and Arbitration laws
13. Governing Law & Jurisdiction
Determines the legal framework that governs the agreement and the forum where legal disputes will be resolved.
It specifies:
- The applicable legal system (e.g., Indian Contract Act, 1872)
- The agreed jurisdiction for legal proceedings (e.g., courts in New Delhi or a specified arbitral forum)
- Whether exclusive jurisdiction is granted to a particular court or tribunal
Important While Drafting:
- Clearly state the governing law to avoid ambiguity
- Choose a neutral and convenient jurisdiction for all founders
- Ensure the clause aligns with the dispute resolution mechanism for enforceability
Miscellaneous Clauses
- Severability Clause: Ensures that if any one clause in the agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable under law, the remainder of the contract continues to remain in full effect.
- Entire Agreement Clause: Declares that the written agreement represents the complete understanding between the founders, thereby overriding all previous oral or informal discussions.
- Amendment Clause: Specifies that the agreement may only be modified through a written document signed by all founders, preventing unilateral changes.
- Force Majeure Clause
Protects the parties from liability for non-performance or delays caused by events beyond their control, such as natural disasters, war, government actions, or pandemics.
Common Drafting Mistakes to Avoid
- No vesting schedule or exit mechanism for founders
- Unclear or overlapping role definitions
- Missing intellectual property (IP) assignment clauses
- One-sided or unfair agreement terms
- Absence of a dispute resolution mechanism
- Failure to update the agreement as the business evolves
Why Choose Kanakkupillai for Founders’ Agreement Drafting?
Looking for a startup-ready Founders’ Agreement? Kanakkupillai offers expert drafting services tailored to your company’s stage, industry, and co-founder dynamics. We ensure clarity, enforceability, and legal protection for all parties involved. We provide:
- Legal Expertise for Startups: Our team includes corporate lawyers, Company Secretaries, and IP attorneys with a deep understanding of startup structuring, Indian company law, and early-stage founder arrangements. We draft agreements that are founder-friendly, investor-compliant, and legally robust.
- Industry-Specific Drafting: We don’t rely on templates. Whether you are building a fintech platform, a SaaS tool, a D2C brand, or an ed-tech app, our agreements are custom-built to reflect your business model.
- IP and Tax Protection: We ensure all intellectual property developed by founders is correctly assigned to the company and legally protected. Our agreements also address equity structuring, founder compensation, and tax efficiency.
- Legal Support: Kanakkupillai goes beyond just drafting. We assist startups from incorporation to fundraising and beyond, covering investment agreements, founder exits, board structures, and post-funding restructuring, ensuring long-term compliance and legal clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Founders’ Agreement legally enforceable in India?
Yes. While there is no dedicated statute governing Founders’ Agreements, they are legally valid and enforceable under the Indian Contract Act, 1872, provided all parties sign voluntarily and the terms are lawful and transparent.Can a Founders’ Agreement be changed later?
Yes. The agreement can be amended only with the written consent of all parties involved. It’s advisable to include a clear Amendment Clause within the original document.Is equity split mandatory to include in a Founders’ Agreement?
Yes. Clearly defining each founder’s ownership percentage and the basis for allocation (capital, IP, expertise) helps prevent future disputes and supports investor due diligence.What happens if a founder exits early?
The agreement should include a vesting clause, which ensures that only a portion of the equity is earned over time, thereby protecting the company's interests. Any unvested shares mostly return to the company or other founders.What is the purpose of a non-compete clause?
To prevent founders from starting or joining a competing business during or after their association with the startup. While enforceability after exit is limited in India, it still serves as a strong deterrent.Can foreign founders be included in the agreement?
Yes. Founders residing outside India can be parties; however, the agreement must comply with FEMA regulations for cross-border equity, and the tax treatment must be carefully structured.Is it compulsory to register a Founders’ Agreement?
No. Registration is not mandatory for a Founders’ Agreement. However, it must be executed on non-judicial stamp paper of appropriate value and signed by all parties to be valid in court.How does the Founders Agreement differ from a Shareholders’ Agreement?
A Founders’ Agreement governs the internal relationship between co-founders during the early stages. A Shareholders’ Agreement includes external investors and governs broader rights, such as board control, liquidation preference, and exit strategy.What dispute resolution methods are commonly included?
Most agreements include a multi-step clause: negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. This helps resolve conflicts efficiently and reduces reliance on litigation.What makes Us Different
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