Document background
The Vesting Agreement Startup is a fundamental document in the Dutch startup ecosystem, designed to protect both the company's and stakeholders' interests during the critical growth phase. This agreement becomes necessary when a startup wants to grant equity to founders, employees, or other key contributors while ensuring their long-term commitment. It typically includes detailed vesting schedules, often with a one-year cliff and monthly vesting thereafter, compliant with Dutch corporate and tax laws. The document governs how and when shares or options vest, handles scenarios like departure or company sale, and includes specific provisions for good/bad leaver situations. Given the Netherlands' specific legal requirements for share transfers and employee benefits, this agreement must be carefully structured to ensure enforceability and tax efficiency.
