tiktok³ÉÈ˰æ

Startup Founder Employment Agreement Template for India

Create a bespoke document in minutes,  or upload and review your own.

4.6 / 5
4.8 / 5

Let's create your Startup Founder Employment Agreement

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Get your first 2 documents free

Your data doesn't train Genie's AI

You keep IP ownership of your information

Key Requirements PROMPT example:

Startup Founder Employment Agreement

"I need a Startup Founder Employment Agreement for a technology startup in Bangalore, where I'll be the technical co-founder and CTO with a 25% equity stake, including provisions for IP protection and the ability to serve on advisory boards of non-competing companies."

Document background
The Startup Founder Employment Agreement is a crucial document used when formalizing the employment relationship between a startup company and its founder(s) in India. It becomes necessary either at the company's incorporation or when transitioning from an informal arrangement to a structured employment relationship. This agreement is particularly important in the Indian startup ecosystem, where it helps establish clear boundaries between the founder's roles as both an employee and a key stakeholder. The document addresses various aspects including equity compensation, intellectual property rights, confidentiality, and non-compete provisions, while ensuring compliance with Indian corporate and employment laws. It's designed to protect both the company's interests and the founder's rights, particularly important given India's growing startup landscape and the need for clear governance structures in early-stage companies.
Suggested Sections

1. Parties: Identifies the company and the founder-employee as parties to the agreement

2. Background: Outlines the context of the agreement, including the company's formation and the founder's role

3. Definitions: Defines key terms used throughout the agreement

4. Appointment and Role: Details the founder's position, duties, and responsibilities

5. Term and Commitment: Specifies the duration of employment and level of commitment expected

6. Remuneration and Benefits: Details salary, benefits, and other compensation components

7. Equity Arrangements: Outlines the founder's equity stake, vesting schedule, and related terms

8. Intellectual Property Rights: Addresses ownership and protection of IP created during employment

9. Confidentiality: Defines confidential information and obligations to protect it

10. Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation: Specifies restrictions on competitive activities and employee/client solicitation

11. Termination: Details circumstances and procedures for ending the employment relationship

12. Post-Termination Obligations: Outlines continuing obligations after employment ends

13. General Provisions: Includes standard contractual terms like governing law, notices, and amendments

Optional Sections

1. Board Position: Include when the founder will serve as a director, specifying board responsibilities and terms

2. Additional Ventures: Include when the founder may be permitted to engage in other business activities

3. International Travel: Include for roles requiring significant international travel

4. Retirement Benefits: Include for more established startups offering retirement plans

5. Performance Metrics: Include when specific performance targets are tied to compensation or equity

6. Change of Control: Include provisions for founder's rights in case of company sale or merger

7. Dispute Resolution: Include detailed arbitration or mediation procedures if desired

8. Founder Exit Rights: Include specific provisions for founder's exit scenarios

Suggested Schedules

1. Schedule 1 - Duties and Responsibilities: Detailed list of founder's roles and responsibilities

2. Schedule 2 - Compensation Structure: Detailed breakdown of salary, bonuses, and benefits

3. Schedule 3 - Equity Vesting Schedule: Detailed terms of equity vesting including milestones and timeframes

4. Schedule 4 - Company IP: List of existing IP and provisions for new IP

5. Schedule 5 - Approved External Activities: List of pre-approved external business activities or board positions

6. Appendix A - Share Option Agreement: Detailed terms of any share options granted

7. Appendix B - Confidentiality Agreement: Detailed confidentiality terms and procedures

8. Appendix C - Key Performance Indicators: Specific performance metrics and evaluation criteria

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ tiktok³ÉÈ˰æ | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

Relevant legal definitions















































Clauses






































Relevant Industries

Technology

E-commerce

Financial Technology

Healthcare Technology

Software Development

Biotechnology

Clean Technology

Consumer Internet

Digital Media

Enterprise Software

Artificial Intelligence

Internet of Things

Mobile Applications

Retail Technology

Education Technology

Relevant Teams

Legal

Human Resources

Corporate Governance

Board of Directors

Executive Leadership

Company Secretarial

Compliance

Finance

Relevant Roles

Founder

Co-Founder

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Technology Officer

Chief Operating Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Managing Director

Executive Director

Technical Founder

Business Founder

Product Founder

Founding Partner

Founding Member

Industries










Teams

Employer, Employee, Start Date, Job Title, Department, Location, Probationary Period, Notice Period, Salary, Overtime, Vacation Pay, Statutory Holidays, Benefits, Bonus, Expenses, Working Hours, Rest Breaks,  Leaves of Absence, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition, Code of Conduct, Termination,  Severance Pay, Governing Law, Entire Agreemen

Find the exact document you need

Vesting Agreement Startup

An Indian law-governed agreement that establishes the terms and schedule for gradually earning equity ownership rights in a startup company.

find out more

Founders Equity Agreement

An Indian law-governed agreement establishing equity distribution, rights, and obligations between company founders.

find out more

Founder Stock Restriction Agreement

An Indian law-governed agreement that establishes restrictions and vesting conditions on founder-owned shares, ensuring alignment between founder and company interests.

find out more

Founders Contract

An Indian law-governed agreement establishing rights, responsibilities, and relationships between company founders, including shareholding, management, and operational frameworks.

find out more

Startup Founder Employment Agreement

An Indian law-governed employment agreement between a startup and its founder, combining standard employment terms with founder-specific provisions including equity arrangements and corporate governance.

find out more

Startup Equity Agreement

An Indian law-governed agreement detailing terms and conditions for equity investment in a startup, including share subscription, investor rights, and governance provisions.

find out more

Startup Advisor Equity Agreement

An Indian law-governed agreement defining the terms of engagement and equity compensation between a startup and its advisor.

find out more

Co Founder Separation Agreement

An Indian law-governed agreement documenting the terms and conditions for a co-founder's separation from a business entity, including share transfers, IP rights, and financial settlements.

find out more

Co Founder Exit Agreement

An Indian law-governed agreement facilitating the formal exit of a co-founder from a company, including share transfers and post-exit obligations.

find out more

Founder Shareholder Agreement

An Indian law-governed agreement that establishes rights, obligations, and relationships between founding shareholders of a company, ensuring proper corporate governance and protecting founders' interests.

find out more

Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal

By providing your email address you are consenting to our Privacy Notice.
Thank you for downloading our whitepaper. This should arrive in your inbox shortly. In the meantime, why not jump straight to a section that interests you here: /our-research
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

³Ò±ð²Ô¾±±ð’s Security Promise

Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.

Your documents are private:

We do not train on your data; ³Ò±ð²Ô¾±±ð’s AI improves independently

All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation

Your documents are protected:

Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption

Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits

We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure

Organizational security

You retain IP ownership of your documents

You have full control over your data and who gets to see it

Innovation in privacy:

Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London

Together, we ran a £1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts

Want to know more?

Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.