In a startup with multiple founders, equity allocation should ideally be equal to avoid potential conflicts and ensure trust among the team.

It's crucial for a company to own any created IP from the start, which can be established with a simple IP assignment agreement for a nominal amount.

If you're investing your own money into your company, it's best to buy equity directly rather than using complex structures. You don't need a lawyer to negotiate with yourself when managing your own investment in a startup, but it's wise to seek legal advice or do thorough research to ensure everything is done correctly.

It's advisable to split equity equally between co-founders to ensure both feel equally invested in the startup's success.

You should be generous with equity to founders and early employees to foster a sense of ownership and commitment.

It's crucial to discuss equity early and openly among founders to ensure everyone feels the split is fair and representative of their contributions.

The first four to six years of a tech startup are critical for value creation, and even if one founder stays longer, it's important to share equity generously with co-founders who contributed to the startup's early success.

Using standard paperwork and hiring a lawyer experienced in startups can help you avoid unfavorable terms during fundraising.

Vesting aligns incentives among founders, ensuring they all work together to grow the company before any of them can benefit from their equity.