Co-founders, team & legal

What legal setup do I need beyond incorporation (IP, contracts, compliance)?

The short answer

Assign all IP to the company from every founder and contractor in writing, use clean contractor and employment agreements, and stay on top of statutory filings (annual returns, taxes, ROC/state compliance). Missing IP assignment or 83(b)/ESOP paperwork is what actually blows up due diligence later. Get the boring hygiene right early, it's cheap now and expensive to fix during a raise.

Go deeper, your way

3 hand-picked resources, 3 link-checked. Pick how you want to dig in.

📄 Article
✓ Link checked Free Intermediate

Why we picked it A clear, vendor-agnostic explainer of why the Delaware C-corp is the default for high-growth, investor-backed startups and how the mechanics work. Useful for deciding structure before you pay for anything.

How to form a Delaware corporation (C corp), Stripe guide

From stripe.com/resources by Stripe Guide

  • Delaware C-corp is the standard structure investors expect
  • Understand founder stock, vesting, and the 83(b) election before filing
  • Choose the entity that matches where your capital and customers are
Open stripe.com
📄 Article
✓ Link checked India Free Advanced

Why we picked it A detailed, clause-by-clause drafting guide with Indian legal context, including enforceability and state-wise stamp duty, that goes deeper than a generic template. Written for Indian founders specifically.

Co-Founder Agreements in India 2026: A Comprehensive Drafting Guide

From lawsikho.com by LawSikho Long read

  • Enforceable under the Indian Contract Act only if properly executed and stamped
  • Must-have clauses include vesting, leaver provisions, IP assignment, and deadlock resolution
  • Stamp duty varies by state, so localize the document
Open lawsikho.com
🛠️ Tool
✓ Link checked Paid Intermediate

Why we picked it The attorney-favourite platform for clean, fundable startup paperwork, run by startup lawyers obsessed with avoiding due-diligence problems. Its free founder handbooks are excellent even if you incorporate elsewhere.

Clerky: Startup Legal Paperwork & Delaware Incorporation

From clerky.com by Clerky Legal paperwork platform + founder handbooks

  • Delaware C-corp incorporation, founder stock with vesting, SAFEs, and hiring docs in one place
  • Built to produce paperwork that survives investor due diligence
  • Free legal-concepts handbooks explain the 'why' behind each document
Open clerky.com

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