Early-stage companies shouldn’t need to spend big $$ on lawyers for basic documents. Here are the templates every startup can use:

1/I used and will always use Stripe Atlas for company creation. For $500, they do everything, and it’s magic. If you prefer to do it yourself, you’ll need corporate formation docs and the founder's stock purchase agreements. • •

As a general matter, you should not make substantive changes to any of the forms included in the Startup Forms Library without checking with your legal counsel.

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As a general matter, you should not make substantive changes to any of the forms included in the Startup Forms Librar...

https://tinyurl.com/3tren2xx

Startup Forms: Founder's Stock Purchase

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As a general matter, you should not make substantive changes to any of the forms included in the Startup Forms Librar...

https://tinyurl.com/2etv4xwb

2/ To hire your first contractor, you’ll need Consulting Agreement. It includes the NDA, IP protection, and invention assignment.

3/ When you are ready to hire your first employee, give them a job offer and sign NDA and invention assignment agreement. • • If you are paying with stock, use these documents. • ​​

Startup Forms: Equity Compensation

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As a general matter, you should not make substantive changes to any of the forms included in the Startup Forms Librar...

https://tinyurl.com/3ajxyxtt

4/ When raising funds, some investors offer their own term sheets/agreements. Some might be complicated and not transparent. Here is a term sheet and SAFE agreement from YC • •

YC Safe Financing Documents | Y Combinator

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Information about startup documents, including the safe (simple agreement for future equity).

https://www.ycombinator.com/documents

YC Series A Term Sheet Template | Y Combinator

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Y Combinator's Series A term sheet with clean and standard terms.

https://www.ycombinator.com/series_a_t...

5/ When selling smaller checks, use terms of use to regulate your relationship. Larger clients require a sales agreement. Some require an NDA

YC Template Sales Agreement | Y Combinator

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Free sales agreement to use for your startup.

https://www.ycombinator.com/sales_agre...

6/ If you still have to use a lawyer, use Upcounsil by @XavierHelgesen and @SievaKozinsky. You’ll get a qualified help and won't end up paying $500/h for them just to consider your work.

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re: some feedback. It's not legal advice, make your own decisions. Just some resources that were useful for me. Templates will not work for any situation. Read them before using. Also, if you take legal advice from Twitter, you should not be a founder, go do something else.