10 Must-Have Legal Documents Every Startup Needs to Get Right from Day One

Starting up is exciting, but skipping essential legal groundwork can cost you big later. Here's a simplified guide to the 10 most important legal documents (and registrations) every startup must have in place to stay protected, compliant, and investor-ready. 1.Founders' Agreement This is a legal pact between co-founders that outlines roles, responsibilities, equity split, decision making authority, and conflict resolution. It prevents misunderstandings and ensures clarity from Day 1. If things go south, this document keeps things in check. 2. Incorporation Documents These include the Certificate of Incorporation, PAN, TAN, and Memorandum & Articles of Association. They legally establish your startup’s identity and structure (Private Limited, LLP, etc.). Without this, your business technically doesn’t exist. 3. Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) NDAs protect your confidential business information when sharing it with employees, freelancers, investors, or potential partners....