Articles of Association
Also called AOA
Articles of association: the document setting out the internal rules for running a company, how shares work, how decisions are made, the powers of directors. Part of a company's constitution.
Why it matters
The AOA governs day-to-day corporate mechanics and often must be amended when you raise, since investor rights get baked into it. Knowing it exists and what it controls helps founders navigate corporate housekeeping.
For example
When investors join, the company amends its articles of association to add their veto rights and the mechanics of the new share class.
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Related terms
Also in Starting Up
See how founders actually handle this on Co-founders, team and legal, part of the Starting Up hub.
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