Founder Legal Checklist (Year 0)
The 18 legal moves every founder needs in the first 12 months — and the three that founders skip and regret.
EE
Published 3w agoUpdated 1h ago 1,690
The boring legal stuff that determines whether you can raise, sell, or sleep at night.
Incorporation
- Choose entity type (C-corp Delaware is default for venture-backable; LLC for lifestyle).
- File certificate of incorporation.
- Issue founder stock immediately (don't wait — 83(b) clock starts at issuance).
- File 83(b) elections within 30 days. No exceptions.
Founders' agreement
- Vesting schedule — 4 years, 1-year cliff (standard).
- IP assignment from each founder to the company.
- Define "founder" — co-founder or early employee?
Operating basics
- EIN from IRS.
- Business bank account separate from personal.
- Bookkeeping software set up before month 2.
The three most-skipped
Trademark check on your name
Weekly digest
Get new resources like this, weekly.
One email a week: new hubs, new tools, and the editorial pieces worth reading. One click to unsubscribe.