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Co Founder Equity Agreement for United Arab Emirates

Co Founder Equity Agreement Template for United Arab Emirates

A comprehensive legal agreement governed by UAE law that establishes and regulates the relationship between co-founders of a company, detailing their respective equity stakes, rights, and obligations. This document addresses key aspects such as share allocation, vesting schedules, roles and responsibilities, decision-making processes, and exit provisions, all while ensuring compliance with UAE Federal Law No. 32 of 2021 and other relevant UAE corporate regulations. It serves as a foundational document that helps prevent future disputes and provides clear guidelines for the company's governance structure, particularly important in the UAE's diverse business environment where companies often operate across mainland and free zone jurisdictions.

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What is a Co Founder Equity Agreement?

The Co-Founder Equity Agreement is a crucial document for any new business venture in the United Arab Emirates, particularly relevant when two or more individuals join forces to establish a company. This agreement is essential in the UAE business context, where clear documentation of ownership and responsibilities is required for company registration and ongoing compliance. The document typically covers equity distribution, vesting schedules, roles and responsibilities, decision-making processes, and exit provisions, all aligned with UAE Federal Law No. 32 of 2021 and relevant free zone regulations where applicable. It's particularly important given the UAE's unique business environment, which includes mainland and free zone jurisdictions, each with specific requirements for company formation and ownership structures. The agreement serves as a foundational document that helps prevent future disputes and provides clear guidelines for company governance.

What sections should be included in a Co Founder Equity Agreement?

1. Parties: Identification of all co-founders and the company, including full legal names, addresses, and emirates ID numbers

2. Background: Context of the agreement, including company formation details, business purpose, and relationship between co-founders

3. Definitions: Defined terms used throughout the agreement, including technical, financial, and legal terminology

4. Equity Allocation: Detailed breakdown of initial share distribution, share classes, and vesting schedules if applicable

5. Capital Contributions: Specification of initial and future capital contributions, including cash, assets, or services

6. Roles and Responsibilities: Defined roles, commitments, and responsibilities of each co-founder

7. Decision Making: Governance structure, voting rights, and decision-making processes

8. Transfer Restrictions: Limitations on share transfers, including right of first refusal and tag-along/drag-along rights

9. Intellectual Property: Assignment and ownership of IP rights, including pre-existing IP and future developments

10. Confidentiality: Protection of company and co-founder confidential information

11. Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation: Restrictions on competitive activities and solicitation of employees/customers

12. Termination: Circumstances and processes for termination of co-founder relationship

13. Dispute Resolution: Procedures for resolving disputes, including jurisdiction and governing law

14. General Provisions: Standard boilerplate clauses including notices, amendments, and severability

What sections are optional to include in a Co Founder Equity Agreement?

1. Good/Bad Leaver Provisions: Defines consequences of voluntary or involuntary departure, used when founders want specific exit provisions

2. Founder Loan Provisions: Terms for any loans made by founders to the company, included if founder financing is anticipated

3. External Investment Provisions: Framework for accepting future investment, included if external funding is planned

4. Special Voting Rights: Additional voting or veto rights for specific matters, used for founders with special roles/expertise

5. Deadlock Resolution: Specific procedures for resolving deadlock situations, important for 50-50 ownership structures

6. Family Succession Rights: Rules for transfer of shares to family members, relevant in family business contexts

7. Technology Development: Specific provisions for technology development and ownership, crucial for tech startups

What schedules should be included in a Co Founder Equity Agreement?

1. Schedule 1: Share Capital Table: Detailed breakdown of share ownership, including share classes and numbers

2. Schedule 2: Business Plan: Initial business plan and strategic objectives

3. Schedule 3: Intellectual Property Register: List of existing IP assets brought into the business by each founder

4. Schedule 4: Vesting Schedule: Detailed vesting terms and timeline for founder shares

5. Schedule 5: Key Performance Indicators: Agreed performance metrics for each founder

6. Appendix A: Form of Deed of Adherence: Template for new shareholders to become bound by the agreement

7. Appendix B: Share Transfer Notice: Standard form for initiating share transfers

Authors

Alex Denne

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

Publisher

Genie AI

Document Type

Equity Agreement

Cost

Free to use

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