For founders › Founder checklist
Founder Onboarding Checklist: 30 Items for the First 90 Days
The first 90 days after incorporation is when records get set up properly, or don't. After that, every transaction layers on top and fixing the base gets expensive. This checklist is the working list. Print it, open it next to Octelligence Starter, and go.
Step 1
Week 1: incorporation paper
- Articles of incorporation filed and a clean copy saved.
- Bylaws drafted and signed by the directors.
- Initial directors named in the articles or in the organizational resolutions.
- Notice of registered office filed.
- Notice of directors filed (if separate from articles).
- Corporation number recorded somewhere you'll remember in 5 years.
- Jurisdiction selected and confirmed (CBCA federal, provincial, Delaware, etc.).
Step 2
Weeks 2 to 3: organizational resolutions
- Directors' organizational resolutions signed (appointing officers, setting fiscal year, approving bank, approving share issuances).
- Shareholders' organizational resolutions signed (electing directors, waiving auditor if applicable).
- Officer appointments documented (President, Secretary, Treasurer at minimum).
- Banking resolution signed and provided to the bank.
- Founder share issuances documented (number of shares, class, consideration, date).
- Share certificates issued for each founder, with proper legends if applicable.
- Share register opened with all founder issuances recorded.
Step 3
Weeks 4 to 6: the cap table and the records
- Cap table reconciled to the share register (they must match).
- Stock option plan adopted by board resolution if applicable.
- Option pool size set and reflected in the cap table.
- Any SAFEs or convertible notes issued and recorded.
- Vesting schedules documented for founders and key hires.
- 83(b) elections filed within 30 days for US founders (if applicable).
- Shareholders agreement drafted and signed (if more than one founder).
Step 4
Weeks 7 to 12: the rest of the records
- Minute book stood up with: articles, bylaws, resolutions, registers, certificates, agreements.
- Register of directors current.
- Register of officers current.
- Register of shareholders current and matching the cap table.
- Annual return calendar noted (first one comes up sooner than you think).
- EIN / Business Number obtained and recorded.
- Initial-year information return filed if your jurisdiction requires one.
- Records workspace shared with your lawyer (read-only, or comment access).
Step 5
Before you raise (any amount)
- Diligence-ready export of the minute book confirmed.
- Cap table export matches the share register to the share.
Next steps
After the checklist
For founders
Set this up properly once. Stop chasing it forever.
Octelligence holds the records, the registers, the certificates, and the audit log. Free Starter for one corporation.