• Cap Table Templates (NZ)
• Shareholders Agreement Templates (NZ)
• SAFE / Convertible Note Templates (NZ)
• Term Sheet- Equity Investment (NZ)
• Constitution – Ordinary Shares (NZ)
• Constitution – Preference Shares (NZ)
• Subscription Agreement (NZ)

• Privacy Policy & Terms of Service (NZ)
• Business Plan Templates (NZ)
• Grant Application Templates / Guidance (NZ)
• Employee Handbook (NZ)
• Director Appointment Letter (NZ)
• Confidentiality Agreement (NZ)
• Most Used Global Templates

• What it is: A spreadsheet or tool showing how company ownership is split.
• Why it matters: Tracks equity, helps prevent mistakes during fundraising, and keeps dilution visible.
• When you'll need it: As soon as you issue shares or bring in co-founders or investors.
• Who it's for: Founders sharing ownership or planning to raise capital.

Key Terms:

• Cap table: A tool that tracks who owns what in your company.
• Dilution: A reduction in your ownership percentage caused when new shares are issued to others (e.g. investors or employees).

• What it is: A legal agreement that outlines the rules between people who own shares in your company.
• Why it matters: Prevents disputes and ensures alignment on control, exits, and decision-making.
• When you'll need it: Before or shortly after issuing shares or raising money.
• Who it's for: Founders with co-founders, investors, or any equity holders.

Key Terms:

• Issuing shares: The process of creating and allocating equity to others.
• Tag-along rights: Allow minority shareholders to join in a sale initiated by majority holders.
• Drag-along rights: Force minority shareholders to sell if a majority agrees to a sale.
• Reserved matters: Specific decisions (e.g. issuing shares, changing constitution) that require board or investor consent.

• What it is: Legal agreements that let you raise money now and give equity later.
• Why it matters: Allows faster fundraising without setting a company valuation.
• When you'll need it: When raising early capital from angels or pre-seed investors.
• Who it's for: Founders looking to raise capital at the idea or MVP stage.

Key Terms:

• SAFE: Simple Agreement for Future Equity — no valuation needed today.
• Convertible note: A loan that converts into equity later, usually at your next funding round.
• Priced round: A funding round where your valuation and share price are formally set.

• What it is: A term sheet template for NZ-based startups raising capital via equity (i.e. issuing shares).
• Why it matters: Aligns founders and investors on key deal terms before drafting full legal documents — reducing time, cost, and confusion.
• When you'll need it: When negotiating an angel or seed-stage equity round.
• Who it's for: Founders preparing for investment rounds involving the sale of ordinary or preference shares (not SAFEs or convertible notes).

• Pre-money valuation: The company’s valuation before new investment is added.
• ESOP (Employee Share Option Pool): A reserved portion of equity for future employees, often negotiated as part of the term sheet.
• Lead investor: The party negotiating terms on behalf of a group of investors (and usually contributing the largest cheque).
• Conditions precedent: Obligations that must be met before the investment closes (e.g. due diligence or board approvals).

• What it is: A legally binding company constitution tailored for issuing ordinary shares in NZ companies.
• Why it matters: Governs company rules and shareholder rights; required by investors and ensures alignment with the Shareholders’ Agreement.
• When you'll need it: When forming your company or preparing for your first investment.
• Who it's for: Founders issuing ordinary shares and setting governance terms.\

Key Terms:

• Ordinary shares: Standard equity that typically carries voting rights and represents basic ownership in the company.
• Replaceable rules: Default Companies Act rules that a constitution can override for more control.
• Company constitution: A legal document that outlines the governance structure and shareholder rights of a company.

• What it is: A constitution structured to support issuing preference shares (typically used in priced rounds).
• Why it matters: Clarifies the rights and protections of preference shareholders, often used in VC-style investment.
• When you'll need it: When structuring a priced round with investor rights like liquidation preferences or anti-dilution.
• Who it's for: Founders raising from institutional or professional investors.

Key Terms:

• Preference shares: Equity with special rights (e.g. priority on exit or dividends) often used in VC rounds.
• Liquidation preference: A clause that ensures preference shareholders are paid before others in an exit event.
• Anti-dilution: A protection that adjusts investor equity if shares are later issued at a lower price.

• What it is: The agreement that formally documents the investment, including conditions, warranties, and tranches.
• Why it matters: Legally commits both company and investors to the deal terms once signed.
• When you'll need it: During any investment round using equity (ordinary or preference shares).
• Who it's for: Founders and investors closing a round under agreed terms.

Key Terms:

• Subscription amount: The agreed amount an investor will pay for new shares.
• Warranties: Legally binding assurances from the founder to the investor (e.g. about ownership or IP).
• Completion: The point at which all conditions are met and the investor funds the company.

• What it is: A document explaining your business model, goals, and how you’ll reach them.
• Why it matters: Often required by banks, visa processes, and grant providers.
• When you'll need it: For formal submissions to institutions that don’t take pitch decks.
• Who it's for: Founders applying for non-dilutive funding, visas, and most government-based submissions.

• What it is: A formal document assigning someone as a company director.
• Why it matters: Required for governance and legal clarity.
• When you'll need it: When appointing someone to the board.
• Who it's for: Founders formalising a board or external advisor.

Key Terms:

• Director: A legally responsible person who oversees company strategy and decisions.
• Board appointment: The act of formally naming someone to your board.

• What it is: A legal contract that keeps shared information private.
• Why it matters: Protects your IP and sensitive business details in external discussions.
• When you'll need it: Before sharing proprietary information with potential hires, partners, or collaborators. It is not best practice to ask investors to sign a confidntiality agreement unless you're having direct conversations about proprietary IP — not at first meetings or general pitch discussions.
• Who it's for: Founders discussing sensitive or technical details outside the company.

Key Terms:

• Intellectual property (IP): Unique ideas or assets your business creates — like code, product design, or brand elements.

• What it is: Tools and templates to help you run board meetings, record decisions, and manage oversight.
• Why it matters: Governance protects the company and its directors, ensures transparency, and becomes essential as the business grows.
• When you'll need it: Once you have a board, external directors, or investor reporting obligations.
• Who it's for: Founders who’ve successfully raised external funding and need to manage formal decision-making and board oversight.

Key Terms:

• Director: A legally appointed decision-maker responsible for acting in the company’s best interest.
• Board appointment: The formal process of adding someone to your board of directors.
• Board meeting resources: Templates like agendas, minutes, annual plans, and conflict registers that help record decisions and maintain compliance.

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