Every startup needs 5 essential contracts from Day 1: (1) Co-founder Agreement, (2) Employee/Contractor Agreements (with IP assignment), (3) NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement), (4) Terms of Service / Customer Agreement, (5) Data Processing Agreement (GDPR). Templates exist but should be reviewed by a startup lawyer.
Key Takeaways
- 5 essential contracts from Day 1.
- IP assignment is critical — without it, contractors own what they build.
- Co-founder agreement prevents the most destructive startup disputes.
- Use templates but have a lawyer review before signing.