The Co-Founder Agreement is a crucial legal document used when establishing a new business venture or formalizing an existing partnership in South Africa. It serves as the cornerstone of the founding team's relationship, outlining everything from equity splits and capital contributions to management responsibilities and exit strategies. The agreement must comply with South African legislation, particularly the Companies Act 71 of 2008, while addressing practical business considerations. This document is typically prepared during the company's formation or early stages, though it can also be implemented to formalize existing arrangements. It's essential for protecting all parties' interests, establishing clear governance structures, and providing a framework for resolving potential future disputes within the South African legal context.
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership of your information
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
OR
Let Ƶ's market-leading legal AI identify missing terms, unusual language, compliance issues and more - in just seconds.
1. Parties: Identification and details of all co-founders entering into the agreement
2. Background: Context of the agreement, including the business concept and purpose of the collaboration
3. Definitions: Detailed definitions of key terms used throughout the agreement
4. Business of the Company: Detailed description of the business activities and scope
5. Roles and Responsibilities: Specific duties and areas of responsibility for each co-founder
6. Equity Distribution: Details of share allocation, vesting schedules, and equity terms
7. Capital Contributions: Initial and future capital contributions by each founder
8. Decision Making: Voting rights and process for major business decisions
9. Intellectual Property Rights: Assignment and ownership of IP created during the business
10. Confidentiality: Protection of company and founder confidential information
11. Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation: Restrictions on competitive activities and employee/client solicitation
12. Termination: Circumstances and process for terminating the agreement or founder departure
13. Exit Provisions: Procedures for founder exit, including share transfer and valuation
14. Dispute Resolution: Process for resolving conflicts between founders
15. General Provisions: Standard legal clauses including governing law, notices, and amendments
1. Pre-Existing IP: Used when founders bring existing intellectual property to the business
2. External Activities: Include when founders maintain other business interests or employment
3. Founder Loans: Required if any founders are providing loans to the business
4. International Operations: Include for businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions
5. Share Transfer to Holding Companies: Used when founders may transfer shares to personal holding companies
6. Good Leaver/Bad Leaver Provisions: Detailed provisions for different circumstances of founder departure
7. Founder Employment Terms: Include when founders will be employees of the company
8. Family Succession Rights: Used when founders want to include provisions for family succession
9. Tag-Along/Drag-Along Rights: Include for future investment and exit scenarios
1. Schedule 1: Business Plan: Detailed business plan and strategic objectives
2. Schedule 2: Founder Details: Comprehensive information about each founder including contact details and shareholding
3. Schedule 3: Initial Capital Contributions: Detailed breakdown of each founder's initial capital contributions
4. Schedule 4: Vesting Schedule: Detailed equity vesting terms and timeline
5. Schedule 5: Pre-Existing IP Schedule: List and description of any IP brought into the business by founders
6. Schedule 6: Role Descriptions: Detailed description of each founder's roles, responsibilities and KPIs
7. Schedule 7: Share Valuation Methodology: Agreed method for valuing shares in case of transfer or exit
8. Appendix A: Company Formation Documents: Copies of company registration and related documents
9. Appendix B: IP Assignment Forms: Standard forms for IP assignment to the company
Relevant legal definitions
Clauses
Relevant Industries
Technology and Software
E-commerce
Financial Services
Professional Services
Manufacturing
Healthcare
Education
Media and Entertainment
Real Estate
Retail
Agriculture
Mining
Renewable Energy
Biotechnology
Consulting
Transportation and Logistics
Food and Beverage
Tourism and Hospitality
Relevant Teams
Legal
Executive Leadership
Board of Directors
Corporate Governance
Company Secretariat
Finance
Human Resources
Corporate Development
Strategy
Risk Management
Relevant Roles
Chief Executive Officer
Managing Director
Executive Director
Chief Technology Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Marketing Officer
Chief Product Officer
Company Founder
Managing Partner
Executive Chairman
Business Development Director
Technical Director
Creative Director
Find the exact document you need
Common Agreement
A standard contractual framework under South African law that establishes fundamental terms and conditions for business relationships.
find out more
Bilateral Contract
A South African law-compliant bilateral contract establishing mutual obligations between two parties with enforceable terms and conditions.
find out more
Basic Ordering Agreement
A South African law-governed framework agreement establishing terms and conditions for future orders between parties.
find out more
Consignment Agreement Form
A South African legal document establishing terms for consignment sales arrangements, where goods ownership remains with the supplier until final sale.
find out more
Contract Agreement Form
A versatile Contract Agreement Form template compliant with South African law, suitable for various commercial relationships and business arrangements.
find out more
Written Agreement
A formal legal document governed by South African law that establishes contractual relationships between parties, defining their rights and obligations.
find out more
Side Agreement
A South African law-governed supplementary agreement that modifies or adds to an existing main agreement while maintaining its core structure.
find out more
Incorporation Agreement
A South African law-governed agreement establishing a new company's structure, governance, and shareholder relationships under the Companies Act 71 of 2008.
find out more
Formal Agreement
A legally binding agreement governed by South African law that formalizes relationships between parties, ensuring compliance with local legislation and establishing clear terms and obligations.
find out more
Casual Worker Contract
A South African-compliant casual worker employment contract establishing terms and conditions for temporary employment relationships.
find out more
Business Transfer Agreement
A South African law-governed agreement for the transfer of a business as a going concern, including assets, employees, and liabilities.
find out more
Boilerplate Agreement
A standard agreement template compliant with South African law, providing essential contractual framework for business relationships.
find out more
Amended Contract
A South African law-governed document that formally modifies terms and conditions of an existing contract while maintaining its validity.
find out more
Tooling Agreement
A South African law-governed agreement establishing terms for industrial tool design, manufacture, supply, and maintenance, compliant with local manufacturing and safety regulations.
find out more
Service Agreement Terms And Conditions
South African service agreement terms and conditions document establishing the legal framework for service provision between providers and clients.
find out more
Representation Agreement
A South African law-governed agreement establishing the terms and conditions under which a Representative may act on behalf of a Principal.
find out more
Common Terms Agreement
A master agreement under South African law that establishes common terms across multiple facility agreements in syndicated lending arrangements.
find out more
Buyer Agency Agreement
A South African legal agreement establishing an estate agent's authority to represent a buyer in property transactions, governed by local real estate laws.
find out more
Labour Contract Copy
A South African employment agreement establishing terms and conditions of employment in compliance with local labor laws.
find out more
Employee Agreement Form
A South African law-compliant employment agreement establishing terms and conditions between employer and employee.
find out more
Statement Of Agreement
A formal document under South African law recording mutual understanding and agreed terms between parties, serving as a binding record of arrangements and commitments.
find out more
Rent In Exchange For Services Agreement
A South African law-governed agreement establishing terms for accommodation provided in exchange for specified services.
find out more
Contractual Agreement
A legally binding Contractual Agreement template compliant with South African law and commercial practices.
find out more
Security Agreement Form
A South African law-governed agreement creating security interests over assets, detailing the security arrangements and enforcement rights between a security provider and secured party.
find out more
Business Cooperation Agreement
A South African law-governed agreement establishing terms and conditions for business collaboration between multiple parties.
find out more
Employee Training Reimbursement Agreement
A South African law-compliant agreement setting out terms for employer-funded training and employee reimbursement obligations.
find out more
Terms Of Business Agreement
A South African law-governed agreement establishing core business terms and conditions between service providers and clients.
find out more
Contract Of Indemnity And Guarantee
A South African law-governed agreement establishing guarantee and indemnity obligations, defining terms for financial security and risk mitigation between parties.
find out more
Intent To Purchase Agreement
A South African legal document expressing formal intention to purchase property or assets, outlining preliminary terms and conditions for the proposed transaction.
find out more
Professional Services Retainer Agreement
A South African law-governed agreement establishing terms for ongoing professional services delivery under a retainer arrangement.
find out more
Supply Contract Form
A South African law-governed agreement establishing terms and conditions for the regular supply of goods or services between supplier and purchaser.
find out more
Business Contract
South African business contract template incorporating key legislative requirements and commercial terms for business-to-business relationships.
find out more
Umbrella Agreement
A South African law-governed master agreement establishing framework terms for future specific agreements between parties.
find out more
Share Purchase Agreement
A South African law-governed agreement documenting the terms and conditions for the sale and purchase of shares in a company.
find out more
Professional Services Contract
A South African law-governed agreement establishing terms and conditions for professional services delivery between a service provider and client.
find out more
Consulting Services Agreement
South African law-governed agreement establishing terms and conditions for consulting services provision, including scope, payments, and compliance requirements.
find out more
Buyer Representation Agreement
A South African law-compliant agreement establishing professional representation between a property buyer and real estate agent, outlining services, duties, and compensation terms.
find out more
Master Service Agreement
A South African law-governed framework agreement establishing core terms for ongoing service delivery relationships between service providers and clients.
find out more
Yearly Contract Agreement
A one-year contractual agreement compliant with South African law, establishing terms, conditions, and obligations between parties.
find out more
White Label Agreement
A South African law-governed agreement enabling one party to rebrand and market another party's products/services under their own brand, with defined terms for licensing, operations, and compliance.
find out more
ұԾ’s Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; ұԾ’s AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security:
You retain IP ownership of your documents and their information
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
.png)