Business & contractsIndia

Write a founder exit discussion letter

Get your facts together with a trusted grown-up.

Invite a structured exit discussion without accidentally presenting it as a completed resignation, buyout or release.

DisputePeopleStarter draft

Who it goes to: Co-founders and the company’s authorised decision-makers

Where it applies: India; entity, state, tax and transaction-specific requirements need checking

Build this
01 · What is this?

This letter asks for a founder exit discussion and a practical handover plan.

02 · When is it useful?

Use it to open the conversation before final exit documents are ready.

03 · Start here

Check your current agreements and decide which role you want to discuss changing.

Gather your pieces

  1. Check existing notice terms and obtain advice if a resignation or termination deadline matters.
  2. Use a neutral factual reason and include only information you are authorised to share.
  3. Do not send this in place of a required role-specific or statutory notice.

Your starting text

Replace each [bracketed label] with your own verified details. Open the editor to make it yours, then read it through before sending.

Date: [Document date]
To: [Recipient / reviewer]
Business: [Business / company details]
Subject: Request to discuss my proposed founder transition

Dear [Recipient / reviewer],

I would like to discuss a planned transition from the following responsibilities:
[Roles To Discuss]

The factual background is:
[Background]

My proposed timing, subject to agreement and any applicable notice requirements, is:
[Proposed Timing]

To support continuity, I suggest we review these matters together:
• My separate founder, director, shareholder, employment or consultancy roles, as applicable.
• Outstanding money, expenses, loans, guarantees and third-party commitments.
• Current ownership records and any proposed future transaction.
• IP, confidentiality, customer work, company assets, records and authorised account access.
• The documents, approvals and filings required for the final arrangement.

My proposed handover work is:
[Handover Proposal]

The amounts or points that still need reconciliation are:
[Open Points]

Please suggest a meeting or confirm whether this proposed meeting time works:
[Meeting Request]

This letter opens a discussion. It does not state that a resignation, share transfer, buyback, payment settlement or release has already taken place. Any operative action should be recorded in the appropriate reviewed documents.

Regards,
[Sender]

Your next moves

  1. Agree a meeting and record proposals, disputed amounts and required approvals.
  2. Prepare separate reviewed instruments for any actual resignation, transfer, settlement or release.
  3. Retain the sent letter and the completed handover evidence.

Real-world check

Discussion draft only. It is not intended as an operative resignation, termination, share-transfer instrument or release; its real effect can depend on wording, surrounding conduct and existing obligations.

Sources & official links