NVCA Updates Model Legal Documents to Support Venture Ecosystem

WASHINGTON, DC– The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) announced today it has updated five of its model legal documents, which are freely available to venture investors, startups, and other members of the entrepreneurial ecosystem as part of NVCA’s commitment to supporting new company formation. The revised model documents have been updated to reflect evolving market norms on key deal terms, address updates to the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL), and recent case law.

“NVCA’s Model Legal Documents are a cornerstone resource for the startup community,” said NVCA President and CEO Bobby Franklin. “Thanks to the General Counsel Advisory Board’s dedication, these industry-standard documents are continually refined to help venture investors and entrepreneurs negotiate with confidence and navigate today’s complex deal landscape. These updates ensure that our resources stay current with the latest legal and market developments, reinforcing the stability and growth of startups nationwide.”

The revised documents include:

• Certificate of Incorporation
• Stock Purchase Agreement
• Investors’ Rights Agreement
• Voting Agreement
• Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement

To access all NVCA model legal documents, please click here. 

NVCA thanks the members of the General Counsel Advisory Board for their generous time and effort in this initiative. The Board was created to maintain and update the model legal documents, helping investors and entrepreneurs make informed decisions to foster the growth of new technologies.

NVCA General Counsel Advisory Board Members:

• Jeffrey Wolters – Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP
• Stephen Bigler – Richards, Layton & Finger
• Matthew Bonner – DCM Ventures
• Jason Doren – ARCH Venture Partners
• Stephan Eberle – Scale Venture Partners
• Jennifer Fang – Wilson Sonsini
• Inga Goldbard – GV
• Jonathan Gworek – Morse
• Michael Kendall – Goodwin
• Danielle Naftulin– Cooley LLP
• Joe Raffetto – Gunderson Dettmer
• Sarah Reed – RA Capital Management, LP

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The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) empowers the next generation of American companies that will fuel the economy of tomorrow. As the voice of the U.S. venture capital and startup community, NVCA advocates for public policy that supports the American entrepreneurial ecosystem. Serving the venture community as the preeminent trade association, NVCA arms the venture community for success, serving as the leading resource for venture capital data, practical education, peer-led initiatives, and networking. For more information about NVCA, please visit www.nvca.org.