Lawyers for Company Formation in India

MOA/AOA Drafting, Shareholders Agreements, Founder Vesting and Legal Compliance for New Companies

Incorporating a company requires carefully drafted legal documents that govern operations, protect founders' interests, define shareholder rights, and establish the framework for future investment. The MOA, AOA, shareholders' agreement, founder vesting agreement, employment contracts, IP assignment agreements, and NDAs are key documents every new company needs from day one. Poorly drafted documents at formation are far more expensive to correct after a dispute or investor due diligence. Our team provides complete legal documentation support, coordinated with the CA team handling MCA filing.

Key Facts at a Glance

Parameter	Details
MOA and AOA	Constitutional documents — objects, liability, capital, governance
Shareholders Agreement	Rights, obligations, transfer restrictions, anti-dilution, drag-along/tag-along
Founder Vesting	Equity vesting schedule — protects company if a founder exits early
IP Assignment	Assignment of founders' IP to the company
Employment Contracts	Offer letters, employment agreements, ESOP documentation
NDA and Non-Compete	Non-disclosure and non-compete for founders, employees, contractors
Vendor Contracts	Standard vendor, service, and consultancy agreements
Investment Documents	Term sheet review, SHA for investment rounds, SAFE notes

Our Services

MOA and AOA Drafting

Comprehensive MOA (objects, liability, capital clauses) and AOA tailored to the business and investor structure — with governance provisions for the founders' current and future needs.

Shareholders Agreement (SHA)

SHA covering: right of first refusal, anti-dilution, drag-along and tag-along rights, information rights, reserved matters, and exit provisions.

Founder Agreement and Vesting

Founder agreements covering equity allocation, vesting schedule (typically 4-year with 1-year cliff), IP ownership, non-compete obligations, and provisions for a departing founder.

IP Assignment Agreement

Assignment of all IP (software, designs, trademarks, trade secrets, inventions) created by founders — ensuring all IP is owned by the company, not the founders individually.

Employment and ESOP Documentation

Offer letters, employment agreements, confidentiality agreements, and ESOP scheme documentation including board resolutions and tax advisory.

Investment Round Legal Support

Term sheet review, due diligence data room preparation, and Shareholders Agreement for investment rounds from angel investors or venture capital funds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need a SHA if I already have Articles of Association?

The AOA is a public document filed with MCA — it governs the company's general shareholder relationship. An SHA is a private contract providing more detailed protections — ROFR, anti-dilution, drag-along, tag-along, information rights — that are more specific and enforceable. For any company with multiple founders or external investors, an SHA is essential.

What is founder vesting and why is it important?

Founder vesting releases equity gradually over typically 4 years with a 1-year cliff. This protects the company if a founder leaves early before contributing fully to building the business. Most investors require vesting provisions to be in place before the first funding round.

When should I engage a lawyer vs a CA?

A CA handles MCA filing, tax registrations, DSC/DIN, SPICe+, and ongoing tax compliance. A lawyer handles MOA/AOA, SHA, founder agreements, IP assignments, and employment contracts. For simple equal-founder incorporations with no immediate investor, a CA alone can handle it. For multiple founders or planned funding, legal counsel from day one is strongly advisable.

Need Legal Support for Company Formation? Our Team Covers Both CA and Legal Aspects.

MOA/AOA drafting, shareholders agreements, founder vesting, IP assignment, and ESOP documentation — complete legal support for company formation.