Browse categories
Explore
Fiverr Pro
English
$
USD
I will draft a founder equity vesting agreement with 83b election
US Licensed Attorney Startup Equity and IP Legal Expert
I am Henry Norwood, a licensed US attorney (Bar #362841) specializing in startup law, founder equity, IP protection, and corporate structuring. I help entrepreneurs, co-founders, and tech startups dra...
About this Gig
Unvested equity is the single most effective legal tool to keep co-founders committed and satisfy venture capital requirements. Without an enforceable Founder Equity Vesting Agreement, a departing co-founder can walk away with a massive percentage of your company without contributing long-term value.
I am Henry Norwood, a licensed US Attorney (Bar #362841). I will draft a comprehensive, VC-grade Founder Equity Vesting Agreement tailored to safeguard your business capitalization table.
What is included in this gig:
- Standard 4-year vesting schedules with a 1-year cliff (or custom milestone schedules)
- Single-trigger and Double-trigger acceleration upon acquisition or termination
- Company repurchase option mechanics for unvested shares upon founder departure
- Section 83(b) Election forms and step-by-step filing instruction guides
- Bad-actor clawback provisions protecting core company IP and equity
Ensure your co-founders earn their equity over time while protecting your company from premature exits.
Select your package or order directly today to receive attorney-drafted vesting terms.
Field of law:
Business (corporate)
•
Commercial
•
SaaS agreement
Legal consulting Gigs are not screened
Please note that there is no screening process for this service. We recommend that you message the freelancer and check all necessary details before placing your order. Pro freelancers in this category have gone through a vetting process. You can find more details here.
FAQ
What is a 1-year cliff in founder vesting?
A 1-year cliff means zero equity vests during the first 12 months. On the 1-year anniversary, 25% of total equity vests at once, with monthly vesting thereafter.
Why is a Section 83(b) Election necessary?
An 83(b) Election allows founders to pay income tax on the equity's value at grant date rather than as it vests over time, saving massive tax costs if the startup grows.
What is the deadline for filing an 83(b) Election?
The Section 83(b) election MUST be filed with the IRS within strictly 30 calendar days of receiving stock. Missing this deadline cannot be cured.
What is the difference between Single-Trigger and Double-Trigger Acceleration?
Single-Trigger accelerates vesting upon company acquisition alone. Double-Trigger requires both acquisition AND involuntary termination of the founder.
What happens to unvested stock when a founder leaves?
The company retains the contractual right to repurchase unvested stock at the original purchase price or nominal value, cancelling those shares.
Can custom milestone-based vesting be used instead of time-based vesting?
Yes. Vesting can be tied to specific performance metrics, revenue goals, or product release milestones upon request.
Is a vesting agreement required by Venture Capital investors?
Yes. Institutional investors almost universally demand that founders have 4-year vesting schedules before providing funding.
Can vesting be retroactively applied to start from our company founding date?
Yes. Vesting start dates can be backdated to reflect when founders actually began working on the business full-time.
Does this document include board resolutions approving the vesting structure?
The Premium package includes the required Board Resolutions approving the vesting provisions and stock repurchase restrictions.
