Cofounders 6 min readUpdated May 5, 2026
Cofounder Agreement Checklist
The 12 clauses every cofounder agreement needs before you write a single line of shared code.
TL;DR
Equity split, vesting, IP assignment, roles, decision rights, tie-breaker, exit rights, non-compete window, comp, dispute resolution, dissolution, and updates process.
Non-negotiables
IP assignment and vesting must be signed before the first commit. Everything else can be iterated.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer for this?
For pre-revenue, a template plus a 1-hour consult is fine. Post-revenue, spend the money on a real drafting.
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