I will draft startup founder equity and vesting agreements
Licensed US Attorney, Securing Startup Founders and Equity
About this Gig
I am Kevin Patrick Dowling, a licensed US Attorney (Bar #367843). Issuing equity without a vesting schedule is one of the most dangerous mistakes a startup can make. If a cofounder walks away with unvested equity, your company becomes un-investable.
I draft precise founder vesting agreements and equity allocation contracts that protect the company's cap table and ensure equity is earned through continued contribution.
Contract Inclusions:
- Customized Equity Allocation tables.
- Time-based vesting schedules (Standard 4-year / 1-year cliff).
- Milestone and performance-based equity vesting.
- Single-trigger and Double-trigger acceleration upon company sale.
- Company repurchase rights for unvested shares.
Ensure your cap table remains clean and your equity is protected from early departures. This document is a strict requirement for any startup seeking outside funding. Review the packages to find the structure that fits your cap table, and submit your order immediately to legally protect your shares.
Field of law:
Business (corporate)
Target country:
United States
Document type:
Employment contract
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Non-compete agreement
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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.
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FAQ
What is a vesting schedule?
It is a legal timeline that dictates when founders or employees actually "earn" and own their allocated shares of the company.
What is acceleration?
Acceleration clauses allow unvested shares to vest immediately if a specific event occurs, such as the company being acquired.
What are repurchase rights?
If a founder leaves before their shares vest, this legally allows the startup to buy back the unvested shares, usually at the original purchase price.
Can we use milestone vesting instead of time?
Yes, the Standard and Premium packages allow for equity to vest upon hitting specific business targets rather than passing time.
Is this different from a stock option plan?
Yes. This agreement is specifically for founders and early equity partners, not for an employee stock option pool (ESOP).
