What is the main purpose of a founder agreement?

A founder agreement serves as a foundational document that lays out the terms of the relationship among co-founders in a startup. The main purpose of this agreement is indeed to prevent disputes among founders. By clearly outlining roles, responsibilities, decision-making processes, equity distribution, and conflict resolution strategies, this document minimizes misunderstandings that could arise as the company evolves.

When founders are aligned on these critical elements from the outset, they reduce the likelihood of conflicts that can derail the startup's progress. This proactive approach sets expectations and provides a framework for addressing any disagreements, ensuring that the team can remain focused on building the business rather than on personal disputes.

While defining equity distribution, outlining employee benefits, and attracting investors are important elements to consider in the overall strategy and operations of a startup, they are secondary to the primary function of the founder agreement. The agreement's emphasis on preventing disputes is crucial for maintaining the integrity and cohesiveness of the founding team as they navigate the challenges of launching and growing their business.