What is a contract outlining rights, roles, and responsibilities between founders called?

The term that accurately describes a contract outlining rights, roles, and responsibilities among founders is a Founder Agreement. This document specifically addresses how founders will work together, including governance structures, equity ownership, decision-making processes, and how disputes will be resolved. The clarity provided by a Founder Agreement is crucial for establishing a strong foundation for the startup, preventing misunderstandings, and ensuring alignment among the founders regarding their vision and responsibilities.

While some other terms may refer to agreements between business partners or collaborative efforts, they do not specifically capture the unique dynamics and concerns relevant to founders of a startup. A Business Agreement broadly covers general business arrangements, a Partnership Contract typically refers to the legal structure of a partnership as defined by law, and a Cooperative Agreement is more associated with collaborative initiatives between organizations or entities rather than focusing solely on the founding team. Thus, the specificity of a Founder Agreement makes it the most appropriate term for the context provided.