SAFE is an acronym for simple agreement for future equity. Like the name suggests, a SAFE Note is an equity financing instrument designed to accelerate the seed funding round for startups. It is a short, standard document used by entrepreneurs and investors as an alternative to convertible debt.

Cofounder agreements are perhaps the most underrated document in the startup ecosystem. It is not uncommon for a startup to be reluctant to spend money on lawyers in the early stages. Why spend money on drafting agreements when there isn’t any money coming in yet?

But antagonism between cofounders can be the difference between the failure or success of your startup. According to Noam Wassermann, author of The Founder’s Dilemma, 65% of startups fail due to founder conflict.

That’s where a cofounder agreement comes in.

A shareholders agreement is a document which sets out the rules and processes which apply to the shareholders of a company. It determines the rights and obligations of shareholders, as well as governing the relationship between company directors and shareholders.