Startup Documents
From co-founder agreement to cap table — the documents every startup needs.
Every startup needs a solid legal foundation before it raises capital, hires staff, or builds a product. The documents in this guide cover the key agreements for Australian early-stage companies — from the co-founder agreement that governs the founding team to the employment contracts and IP assignments that protect everything you build.
Most startup legal problems are not caused by complex regulatory issues — they are caused by agreements that were never drafted, or that were drafted too loosely to be useful when disputes arise. A co-founder who leaves without a vesting agreement takes their full equity. A contractor who wrote your core software without an IP assignment may retain ownership of it. An employee who had access to your client list but signed no confidentiality agreement is free to use it.
These documents do not need to be expensive or complicated. They need to be clear, signed, and in place before they matter — which is always earlier than founders expect.
9
document templates
3 min
average drafting time
AU
Australian law compliant
All documents in this category
Co-Founder Agreement
Equity splits, vesting schedules, decision rights, and founder exit provisions — before you raise a dollar.
IP Assignment Agreement
Ensure the company owns all IP created by founders, contractors, and early employees — before any investor asks.
Shareholders Agreement
Govern the relationship between all company shareholders — covering voting rights, transfer restrictions, and exit provisions.
Advisory Agreement
Engage strategic advisors with clear equity or cash compensation, defined advisory scope, and IP protections.
Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
Protect sensitive information shared with investors, partners, employees, and contractors during negotiations.
Employment Contract
Fair Work Act compliant employment terms for your first hires — clear, professional, and legally sound.
Independent Contractor Agreement
Engage contractors with clear scope, payment terms, IP assignment, and classification protections.
Share Purchase Agreement
Document the sale and purchase of shares in a private company with full legal protections for buyer and seller.
Letter of Intent
Outline the key terms of a proposed investment, acquisition, or partnership before formal legal documents are prepared.
Frequently asked questions
What legal documents does a startup need first?
The first priority documents for an Australian startup are: a co-founder agreement (if there are multiple founders), an IP assignment agreement (to ensure the company owns all IP), a non-disclosure agreement template for investor and partner discussions, and an employment or contractor agreement for the first hire. These four documents address the highest-risk gaps for early-stage companies.
When should a startup get its legal documents in order?
Before raising any capital, before hiring any employees or engaging contractors, and before creating any significant intellectual property in the company's name. The earlier these are in place, the less disruptive they are to get right. Trying to retrospectively fix IP ownership or founder equity after capital has been raised is significantly more complex and expensive.
Do I need a lawyer to draft startup legal documents?
For key documents — particularly co-founder agreements, shareholders agreements, and share purchase agreements — having a lawyer review the draft before signing is strongly recommended. Neureson helps you create professionally structured drafts in minutes, which significantly reduces the time and cost of legal review.
What is a vesting schedule and why does it matter for startups?
A vesting schedule means equity is earned over time rather than granted upfront. The most common startup structure is a four-year vest with a one-year cliff — meaning a founder earns no equity in the first 12 months, vests 25% on the first anniversary, and vests the remaining 75% monthly over years 2–4. Without vesting, a co-founder who leaves after 6 months takes their full equity — which investors view as a serious red flag.
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