Start with the main agreement
Cofounder Agreement Template
Download a free editable Word cofounder agreement template covering equity, vesting, roles, IP, decision rights, exits, and disputes.
Agreement, equity, and vesting
Start with the cofounder agreement template, then use the worksheets to prepare the equity and vesting terms it asks you to fill in.
- Cofounder Agreement TemplateFounders who are close to committing and need a structured first draft before legal review.Preview and download
- Founder Vesting Agreement TemplateFounders who have agreed on equity but need to protect the company if commitment changes.Preview and download
- Founder Vesting Acceleration AgreementFounders reviewing how a sale or post-transaction termination could affect unvested founder equity.Preview and download
- Dynamic Equity Discussion WorksheetEarly founder teams whose contributions are still changing and who need a disciplined equity conversation.Preview and download
- Founder Contribution Valuation WorksheetFounder teams preparing an equity discussion and seeking a transparent comparison of different contribution types.Preview and download
Roles and decision rights
Name one owner per area, agree which decisions need both founders, and set the meeting rhythm where those decisions get made.
- Cofounder Roles and Responsibilities TemplateFounders who need to clarify who owns what before titles, equity, and operating habits harden.Preview and download
- CEO CTO Responsibility AgreementCEO and CTO cofounders who need clearer accountability across company, product, commercial, and technical work.Preview and download
- Founder Decision Rights MatrixFounder teams experiencing slow, duplicated, or unclear decisions as responsibilities expand.Preview and download
- Founder Meeting Operating CadenceFounder teams whose meetings mix updates, decisions, strategy, and conflict without a dependable rhythm.Preview and download
Evaluate a potential cofounder
Check references, run the alignment conversation, and test real work together before either of you signs anything.
- Founder Alignment Conversation GuidePotential or current cofounders who need a structured, candid conversation before deepening commitment.Preview and download
- Cofounder Reference Check TemplateFounders who are serious about a potential cofounder and want behavioral evidence before commitment.Preview and download
- Cofounder Due Diligence ChecklistFounders evaluating a serious candidate before sharing ownership, confidential information, or company authority.Preview and download
- Cofounder Trial Project TemplateFounders who like each other enough to test real work before making the partnership official.Preview and download
- Cofounder Trial Sprint PlanPotential cofounders who want evidence from real work before making an equity or long-term commitment.Preview and download
Communication and conflict
Agree how you give feedback, when a disagreement escalates, and what happens when you still cannot decide.
- Founder Communication Norms TemplateFounder teams who work at different speeds, locations, or communication styles and need explicit expectations.Preview and download
- Cofounder Feedback Escalation ProtocolCofounders who need a reliable way to address recurring behavior without turning every concern into a crisis.Preview and download
- Cofounder Conflict Resolution AgreementFounder pairs who want a shared conflict process before stress turns ordinary disagreement into relationship damage.Preview and download
Departures and exits
Write down what happens to work, equity, and the company if one founder leaves or the company stops.
- Founder Departure Transition PlanFounder teams preparing for an agreed or potential departure while protecting continuity and respectful communication.Preview and download
- Cofounder Buyout Discussion WorksheetFounders exploring a possible buyout who need to separate operating objectives from facts and unverified valuation assumptions.Preview and download
- Startup Dissolution Decision ChecklistFounder teams considering whether to close a startup and needing a structured inventory before taking formal action.Preview and download
A template records decisions. It does not show where you disagree.
Both founders can fill in the same template and still mean different things by commitment, risk, or decision rights. The free CofounderFit assessment compares your working preferences across dimensions first, so you know which clauses need the longest conversation.
Legal disclaimer
These templates are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal, tax, financial, or professional advice. Laws and enforceability vary by jurisdiction. Have any final agreement reviewed by a qualified professional before signing.