Founder legal checklist

Structure and ownership

• Incorporation. Incorporated federally or provincially, with the right structure for where you're headed (including a holdco if it fits).
• Founder shares and vesting. Each founder's ownership set out, ideally with vesting so a founder who leaves early doesn't keep a full stake.
• Shareholder agreement. The rules for decisions, transfers, and exits — see the shareholder agreement checklist.
• Clean cap table. Every share, option, and promise documented, with no handshake equity floating around.

Intellectual property

• Founder IP assignment. Everything founders built for the company assigned to the company, in writing — investors will check this first.
• Contractor and employee IP. Assignment clauses in every contractor and employment agreement, so the company owns what it pays for.
• Brand protection. Business name, domains, and key trademarks secured; nothing infringing.

Contracts and customers

• Customer terms. Terms of service or customer agreements that actually protect you (limitation of liability, IP, payment).
• Vendor and supplier agreements. The important inbound contracts reviewed, not just click-through accepted.
• NDAs. A confidentiality agreement ready to go — see the NDA checklist.

People and money

• Employment vs contractor. Everyone correctly classified — see the contractor checklist.
• Employment agreements. Offers and agreements with enforceable terms, IP assignment, and confidentiality.
• Financing readiness. Corporate records, cap table, and IP in order before you raise — diligence gaps kill or discount rounds.
• Privacy basics. A privacy policy and practices that reflect PIPEDA and, where relevant, Quebec's Law 25.