Document background
The Vesting Agreement Startup is a fundamental document in the Swiss startup ecosystem, designed to protect both the company's and stakeholders' interests during the critical growth phase. It is typically used when a startup wants to grant equity to founders, key employees, or advisors while ensuring their long-term commitment to the company's success. The agreement, governed by Swiss law, includes detailed provisions on vesting schedules, cliff periods, and various scenarios such as exit events or termination of employment. This document type is particularly important in Switzerland's robust startup environment, where it must comply with specific requirements of Swiss corporate law, tax regulations, and employment legislation. The agreement typically includes provisions for social security implications, tax reporting requirements, and alignment with Swiss corporate governance standards. It's essential for startups looking to implement equity-based incentive structures while maintaining protection through carefully crafted good leaver/bad leaver provisions and transfer restrictions.
