All Countries
Corporate Governance
Startup Founder Employment Agreement

Startup Founder Employment Agreement Generator for United Arab Emirates

Create a bespoke document in minutes,  or upload and review your own.

4.6 / 5
4.8 / 5

Let's create your Startup Founder Employment Agreement

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Get your first 2 documents free

Your data doesn't train Genie's AI

You keep IP ownership of your information

Key Requirements PROMPT example:

Startup Founder Employment Agreement

"I need a Startup Founder Employment Agreement for a UAE-based fintech company, where the founder will retain 40% equity stake with a 4-year vesting schedule starting March 2025, including specific provisions for regulatory compliance in the financial sector."

Celebrated by
Collaborations with
Investors
Document background
The Startup Founder Employment Agreement is a crucial document used when formalizing the relationship between a startup company and its founder(s) in the United Arab Emirates. It serves as both an employment contract and a founder's agreement, ensuring compliance with UAE labor laws while protecting the interests of all parties involved. This document is typically implemented during company formation or when transitioning from an informal to a formal business structure. It includes detailed provisions on employment terms, equity arrangements, intellectual property rights, confidentiality obligations, and non-compete restrictions, all tailored to meet UAE legal requirements. The agreement is particularly important in the UAE's growing startup ecosystem, where clear founder relationships and protection of company interests are essential for attracting investment and ensuring smooth business operations.
Suggested Sections

1. Parties: Identification of the company and the founder-employee

2. Background: Context of the agreement, including company formation and founder's role

3. Definitions: Key terms used throughout the agreement

4. Appointment and Term: Position, effective date, and term of employment

5. Duties and Responsibilities: Founder's role, obligations, and performance expectations

6. Time Commitment: Working hours and commitment expectations

7. Remuneration: Salary, benefits, and other compensation

8. Equity Arrangements: Share ownership, vesting schedule, and related terms

9. Intellectual Property: Assignment and protection of IP rights

10. Confidentiality: Protection of company confidential information

11. Non-Competition: Restrictions on competitive activities as per UAE law

12. Non-Solicitation: Restrictions on soliciting employees, customers, or suppliers

13. Termination: Grounds and process for termination

14. Post-Termination Obligations: Continuing obligations after employment ends

15. General Provisions: Standard legal clauses including governing law, notices, etc.

Optional Sections

1. Board Position: Terms of board membership, if founder will serve on board

2. Investment Obligations: If founder is required to make capital contributions

3. International Travel: If role requires significant international travel

4. Succession Planning: Process for transitioning leadership, if needed

5. Good Leaver/Bad Leaver: Specific provisions affecting equity in different exit scenarios

6. Shareholder Rights: Special voting or veto rights as a founder

7. Alternative Dispute Resolution: Specific dispute resolution procedures for founder disputes

8. External Activities: Terms for managing other business interests or board positions

Suggested Schedules

1. Schedule 1 - Position Description: Detailed outline of founder's role and responsibilities

2. Schedule 2 - Remuneration Package: Detailed breakdown of salary, benefits, and bonus structure

3. Schedule 3 - Equity Vesting Terms: Detailed vesting schedule and conditions

4. Schedule 4 - IP Assignment: Comprehensive list of IP being assigned to company

5. Schedule 5 - Restricted Activities: Detailed list of prohibited competitive activities

6. Schedule 6 - Company Policies: Key company policies applicable to the founder

7. Appendix A - Share Option Agreement: Detailed terms of any share options granted

8. Appendix B - KPIs and Performance Metrics: Specific performance expectations and measurements

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Genie AI | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

Linkedin in social icon imageX social icon image
alex.den.21@genieai.co
Relevant legal definitions
Appointment
Board
Business
Business Day
Business Plan
Cause
Change of Control
Company
Competitor
Confidential Information
Director
Effective Date
Employment
Equity
Executive Team
Exit Event
Fair Market Value
Financial Year
Founding Team
Good Leaver
Bad Leaver
Group
Intellectual Property Rights
Invention
Investment Agreement
Key Performance Indicators
Material Breach
Notice Period
Parent Company
Performance Targets
Permitted Business
Position
Pre-Existing IP
Prohibited Business
Remuneration
Restricted Area
Restricted Period
Share Option Plan
Shareholders Agreement
Shares
Subsidiary
Term
Territory
UAE
Unvested Shares
Vested Shares
Vesting Period
Vesting Schedule
Work Product
Clauses
Appointment
Term
Duties and Responsibilities
Authority and Powers
Time Commitment
Location
Remuneration
Expenses
Benefits
Equity Arrangements
Share Vesting
Performance Requirements
Reporting Structure
Board Position
Annual Leave
Sick Leave
Public Holidays
Insurance
Intellectual Property
Confidentiality
Data Protection
Non-Competition
Non-Solicitation
Non-Disparagement
Conflicts of Interest
External Activities
Company Property
Representations and Warranties
Good Faith
Termination
Garden Leave
Post-Termination Obligations
Exit Provisions
Good Leaver/Bad Leaver
Share Transfer
Succession Planning
Force Majeure
Notices
Assignment
Severability
Entire Agreement
Variation
Waiver
Third Party Rights
Governing Law
Jurisdiction
Dispute Resolution
Relevant Industries

Technology

E-commerce

Financial Technology

Healthcare Technology

Educational Technology

Artificial Intelligence

Blockchain

Digital Media

Clean Technology

Software Development

Biotechnology

Cybersecurity

Internet of Things

Mobile Applications

Cloud Services

Retail Technology

Real Estate Technology

Insurance Technology

Food Technology

Sustainable Energy

Relevant Teams

Legal

Human Resources

Executive Leadership

Board of Directors

Corporate Governance

Company Secretariat

Compliance

Finance

Operations

Relevant Roles

Founder

Co-Founder

Chief Executive Officer

Managing Director

Executive Director

Chief Technology Officer

Chief Operations Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Product Officer

Chief Marketing Officer

Executive Chairman

Technical Founder

Business Founder

Managing Founder

Industries
UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (New Labor Law): The primary employment law framework that governs employment relationships in the UAE, including contract terms, working hours, leave entitlements, and termination provisions
UAE Federal Law No. 8 of 2021 (Commercial Companies Law): Regulates company formation and governance, crucial for defining the founder's role as both an executive and shareholder
UAE Federal Law No. 7 of 2002 (Copyright Law): Governs intellectual property rights, essential for protecting company IP created by the founder during employment
UAE Federal Law No. 37 of 1992 (Trademark Law): Relevant for protecting company branding and trademark rights developed by the founder
UAE Federal Law No. 31 of 2006 (Patent Law): Important for protecting inventions and technological innovations developed by the founder
UAE Ministerial Resolution No. 297 of 2016: Regulates non-compete clauses and work restrictions, crucial for founder agreements
UAE Federal Law No. 4 of 2012 (Competition Law): Relevant for non-compete provisions and market competition considerations
DIFC Employment Law No. 2 of 2019: Applicable if the startup is registered in Dubai International Financial Centre, providing specific employment regulations for this free zone
UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2018 (Central Bank Law): Relevant if the startup operates in fintech or financial services sectors
UAE Federal Law No. 2 of 2015 (Commercial Companies Law amendments): Contains specific provisions related to shareholders' rights and obligations, relevant for founder's equity arrangements
Teams

Employer, Employee, Start Date, Job Title, Department, Location, Probationary Period, Notice Period, Salary, Overtime, Vacation Pay, Statutory Holidays, Benefits, Bonus, Expenses, Working Hours, Rest Breaks,  Leaves of Absence, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition, Code of Conduct, Termination,  Severance Pay, Governing Law, Entire Agreemen

Find the exact document you need

Founders Shares Agreement

UAE-governed agreement establishing rights and obligations between company founders, including ownership structure and management framework.

find out more

Founder Vesting Agreement

UAE-governed agreement establishing terms for gradual vesting of founder's equity ownership rights, including vesting schedule and transfer restrictions.

find out more

Founder Stock Restriction Agreement

UAE-governed agreement establishing restrictions and vesting conditions on founder-owned shares in accordance with UAE Companies Law.

find out more

Co Founder Partnership Agreement

UAE-governed agreement establishing partnership terms and responsibilities between business co-founders, including ownership, roles, and key business terms.

find out more

Founders Contract

A UAE-law governed agreement establishing the legal framework and relationships between company founders, including rights, responsibilities, and ownership structure.

find out more

Startup Founder Employment Agreement

UAE-governed employment agreement defining the legal relationship between a startup and its founder, combining standard employment terms with founder-specific provisions.

find out more

Startup Equity Agreement

A UAE law-governed agreement establishing terms for equity investment in a startup, including share rights, governance, and investor protections.

find out more

Founders Service Agreement

UAE-governed agreement defining the legal relationship between a company and its founder(s), including service terms, duties, and rights.

find out more

Founders Collaboration Agreement

A UAE law-governed agreement establishing the framework for collaboration between company founders, defining their rights, responsibilities, and shareholding structure.

find out more

Co Founder Vesting Agreement

A UAE law-governed agreement that outlines the terms and schedule for co-founders' share vesting, ensuring alignment between founder commitment and equity ownership.

find out more

Co Founder Separation Agreement

UAE-governed agreement facilitating the formal separation of a co-founder from a business venture, including share transfers and ongoing obligations.

find out more

Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal

By providing your email address you are consenting to our Privacy Notice.
Thank you for downloading our whitepaper. This should arrive in your inbox shortly. In the meantime, why not jump straight to a section that interests you here: https://www.genieai.co/our-research
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Genie’s Security Promise

Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.

Your documents are private:

We do not train on your data; Genie’s AI improves independently

All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation

Your documents are protected:

Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption

Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits

We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure

Organizational security

You retain IP ownership of your documents

You have full control over your data and who gets to see it

Innovation in privacy:

Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London

Together, we ran a £1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts

Want to know more?

Visit our Trust Centre for more details and real-time security updates.

Read our Privacy Policy.