What has each founder already contributed, and what remains expected?
Distinguish past work from future commitments so the arrangement is based on a shared understanding.
LEGAL SUPPORT
FOR WHAT’S NEXT.
TECHNOLOGY & STARTUPS · NIGERIA
Founder Agreement Lawyers in Nigeria
Agree co-founder roles, contributions, equity and departures. Laude helps document the founding relationship and ownership of work created for your venture.
Lagos, NigeriaWorking with local and international clients.
WHAT WE HELP WITH
Founder Agreements: how we help.
A focused scope built around your plans, the documents involved and the decisions that need to be made.
Roles and contributions
Describe each founder’s responsibilities, expected time commitment and agreed contributions.
Equity arrangements
Record the proposed ownership arrangements and any conditions attached to earning or retaining an interest.
IP assignment
Identify work brought into or created for the venture and document the intended rights.
Founder departures
Consider what should happen if a founder reduces involvement, leaves or cannot continue.
WHEN YOU NEED A LAWYER
Common situations we support.
A decision is approaching
You and your co-founders are investing time, money or intellectual property into a shared venture.
The product is moving forward
A launch or feature change creates new customer, contributor or vendor commitments that need to be reviewed together.
A partner asks for documents
A customer, investor or platform requests agreements and records. Identify what exists, what is missing and what needs clarification.
The team or model changes
New contributors, users or revenue streams can expose assumptions in the arrangements made at an earlier stage.
THE DETAIL BEHIND THE DECISION
Understand the bigger picture.
Co-founders often begin working together before every expectation has been discussed. Different assumptions about time, money, ownership or leaving can become harder to resolve once the venture has value. We help founders work through those questions and document the arrangements they intend to follow, while considering how the agreement connects with the company and any existing investment documents.
How will the team resolve a major disagreement?
Decide which issues need joint approval and what process to follow when agreement cannot be reached.
A CLEAR AND COLLABORATIVE APPROACH
How the process works.
A straightforward process designed to give you clarity, practical advice and a considered next step.
- 1
Define the matter
We start with your objectives and the circumstances behind your founder agreements enquiry. The firm confirms whether it can assist and agrees scope and fees.
- 2
Review the information
We consider the relevant records and questions, including roles and contributions and equity arrangements where within scope.
- 3
Explain the decisions
We discuss findings, missing information and the options available. You can ask questions before deciding how you want to proceed.
- 4
Carry out the agreed work
We prepare documents, advise, negotiate or coordinate the steps included in the engagement, with outstanding responsibilities made clear.
PREPARE FOR A USEFUL CONVERSATION
What to have ready.
Discuss contributions, expected commitments and the ownership arrangements you have in mind.
- Founder names, roles and commitments
- Proposed ownership and contribution schedule
- Records of existing intellectual property
- Any company, shareholder or investment documents
You do not need every document to make an enquiry. Tell us what is available and what is missing. Wait for our team to confirm the appropriate channel before sending sensitive material.
OUR PEOPLE
Lawyers who understand
the commercial context.
Good advice starts with understanding your objectives and the decisions ahead. The firm will identify the appropriate support once it has assessed your enquiry.
Meet our team
Shareholder Agreements
Agree how ownership, decisions, investment and exits will work before a disagreement puts the business under pressure.
Explore our approach →Company Formation
Get legal support to choose and document a company structure that reflects how you plan to own, fund and operate the business.
Explore our expertise →Different
perspectives.
A stronger you.
About our firm →FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Your questions,
answered.
Can we put an agreement in place after starting work?
Yes. The discussion should cover what has already happened as well as future expectations, including contributions, ownership and any promises already made.
Can one founder keep ownership of existing work?
That can be considered, but the business needs clarity about its permission to use the work. The appropriate arrangement depends on the intended product, funding and commercial plans.
Does a founder agreement replace company documents?
It should be considered alongside the company’s documents and any shareholder or investment arrangements. Inconsistencies may need to be resolved as part of the work.
What should I prepare for the first discussion?
Discuss contributions, expected commitments and the ownership arrangements you have in mind. Start with an outline; the team will confirm a suitable channel before requesting sensitive documents.
How are scope, fees and timing agreed?
The work depends on the documents, complexity and decisions involved. We discuss the proposed scope, fees and timing before beginning. Work outside the agreed scope is discussed separately; no fixed fee or completion date is promised here.
Does an enquiry mean the firm is acting for me?
No. The firm must assess the enquiry, check whether it can accept instructions and confirm engagement. Please do not send highly confidential information or assume a deadline has been accepted before that confirmation.
Let’s discuss your next step.
Speak with our team about your legal needs.