Founder agreements: what to settle before you raise

Vesting, leaver terms and decision rights are easier to agree while everyone is getting on. Investors will ask about them anyway.

Two founders talking through an agreement over coffee

Most founder disputes come from things nobody wrote down. A short founder agreement settles them early.

Vesting and leavers

Agree how shares vest and what happens if a founder leaves early. Four years with a one-year cliff is a common starting point.

Decisions

Set out which decisions need everyone to agree, and which can be made by a majority.