Documentation Index
Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/Ro5s/Startup-Starter-Pack/llms.txt
Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
Why you need a Code of Conduct
A Code of Conduct establishes clear standards for behavior and creates a safe, inclusive environment for everyone involved with your company or project. Whether you’re building a traditional startup or an open-source community, having a well-defined Code of Conduct is essential for:Preventing harassment
Clear policies help prevent harassment and discrimination before they occur.
Building trust
Shows your commitment to creating a respectful, inclusive workplace.
Legal protection
Demonstrates due diligence in maintaining a professional environment.
Attracting talent
Top talent increasingly expects strong workplace conduct policies.
Implementing a Code of Conduct early in your company’s life is much easier than trying to add one after problems arise. Make it part of your foundation.
Two Code of Conduct options
The Startup Starter Pack provides two Code of Conduct templates, each suited to different organizational contexts:Option 1: NVCA Code of Conduct Policy
The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) Code of Conduct Policy is designed specifically for startups and venture-backed companies. It reflects the work product of a coalition of venture capital firms, HR professionals, and employment law experts.Best for traditional companies
Best for traditional companies
Ideal if you are:
- Building a traditional startup with employees
- Planning to raise venture capital
- Establishing formal HR policies and procedures
- Operating in a corporate structure with clear reporting lines
- Comprehensive workplace harassment and discrimination policies
- Clear reporting procedures and investigation processes
- Integration with HR and legal compliance frameworks
- Aligned with employment law requirements
- Designed for companies with investors and board oversight
Option 2: Contributor Covenant
The Contributor Covenant is the most widely adopted Code of Conduct for open-source communities. It focuses on creating inclusive, welcoming environments for collaborative projects.Best for open-source projects
Best for open-source projects
Ideal if you are:
- Building an open-source project or community
- Operating as a decentralized organization (DAO)
- Focused on online collaboration and contributions
- Prioritizing community-driven development
- Emphasis on inclusive language and behavior
- Community-focused enforcement mechanisms
- Widely recognized in open-source ecosystems
- Simpler, more accessible language
- Flexible for various community structures
NVCA Code of Conduct Policy
The NVCA policy provides a comprehensive framework for maintaining professional workplace standards in a traditional company setting.Core principles
Zero tolerance for harassment
Establishes that harassment and discrimination based on protected characteristics are strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action, including termination.
Clear definitions
Provides specific definitions of prohibited conduct including sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and creating hostile work environments.
Protected characteristics
Covers all legally protected categories including race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, and veteran status.
Reporting mechanisms
Establishes multiple channels for reporting violations, including HR, management, and if necessary, external resources.
Investigation procedures
Outlines how complaints will be investigated promptly, thoroughly, and confidentially to the extent possible.
Implementation guidelines
Adopt the policy formally
Adopt the policy formally
- Have the board of directors formally adopt the policy
- Include it in your employee handbook
- Provide copies to all employees and new hires
- Post it prominently in the workplace
Train your team
Train your team
- Conduct initial training for all employees
- Provide specialized training for managers and supervisors
- Offer annual refresher training
- Document all training completion
Establish reporting procedures
Establish reporting procedures
- Designate specific individuals to receive complaints
- Create multiple reporting channels (HR, management, hotline)
- Ensure confidentiality protections are in place
- Document all complaints and investigations
Enforce consistently
Enforce consistently
- Investigate all complaints promptly and thoroughly
- Take appropriate disciplinary action when violations occur
- Apply standards consistently across all levels of the organization
- Follow up with complainants appropriately
Contributor Covenant
The Contributor Covenant focuses on creating welcoming, inclusive communities for collaborative projects. It’s particularly well-suited to open-source software development but can be adapted to other community contexts.Our pledge
The Contributor Covenant begins with a pledge from project maintainers and community members to make participation a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of:- Age, body size, disability, ethnicity
- Gender identity and expression
- Level of experience
- Nationality, personal appearance, race, religion
- Sexual identity and orientation
Standards for behavior
- Examples of positive behavior
- Examples of unacceptable behavior
Encouraged conduct:
- Using welcoming and inclusive language
- Being respectful of differing viewpoints and experiences
- Gracefully accepting constructive criticism
- Focusing on what is best for the community
- Showing empathy towards other community members
Enforcement responsibilities
Project maintainer duties
Project maintainers are responsible for clarifying standards of acceptable behavior and are expected to take appropriate and fair corrective action in response to any instances of unacceptable behavior.Maintainers have the right and responsibility to:
- Remove, edit, or reject comments, commits, code, wiki edits, issues, and other contributions that violate this Code of Conduct
- Ban temporarily or permanently any contributor for behaviors they deem inappropriate, threatening, offensive, or harmful
Scope of application
The Contributor Covenant applies to:- All project spaces (repositories, issue trackers, wikis)
- Public spaces where an individual represents the project or community
- Use of official project email addresses or social media accounts
- Acting as an appointed representative at online or offline events
Reporting violations
Contact project maintainers
Report instances of abusive, harassing, or otherwise unacceptable behavior to the project team at the designated contact email.
Review and investigation
The project team will review and investigate all complaints and will respond in a way that it deems appropriate to the circumstances.
Confidentiality
The project team is obligated to maintain confidentiality with regard to the reporter of an incident.
Choosing the right Code of Conduct
Use this guide to determine which Code of Conduct best fits your organization:| Factor | NVCA Policy | Contributor Covenant |
|---|---|---|
| Organization type | Traditional startup/company | Open-source project/community |
| Structure | Hierarchical with HR/management | Distributed/community-driven |
| Legal framework | Employment law focused | Community standards focused |
| Enforcement | Formal disciplinary procedures | Maintainer discretion |
| Complexity | Comprehensive and detailed | Simple and accessible |
| Best for | Venture-backed companies | OSS projects, DAOs |
Some organizations implement both: the NVCA policy for employees and the Contributor Covenant for their open-source projects or external community contributors.
Implementation best practices
Regardless of which Code of Conduct you choose, follow these best practices for effective implementation:Get leadership buy-in
Get leadership buy-in
Ensure founders, executives, and board members fully support the Code of Conduct and model appropriate behavior.
Communicate clearly
Communicate clearly
Make the Code of Conduct easily accessible and ensure everyone knows where to find it and how to report violations.
Enforce consistently
Enforce consistently
Apply the Code of Conduct fairly to everyone, regardless of their position or contributions. Inconsistent enforcement undermines trust.
Review and update regularly
Review and update regularly
Revisit your Code of Conduct annually or when organizational changes occur. Laws and community standards evolve.
Provide ongoing education
Provide ongoing education
Don’t just distribute the Code of Conduct once. Regular training and discussion help maintain awareness and commitment.
Access the templates
Both Code of Conduct templates are available in multiple formats:NVCA Policy (Word)
Download the official NVCA Code of Conduct Policy
NVCA Policy (OpenLaw)
Smart contract version with customization options
Contributor Covenant (Markdown)
View the Contributor Covenant in Markdown format
Contributor Covenant (OpenLaw)
Contributor Covenant as a smart contract template
Related founder resources
Once you’ve established your Code of Conduct, explore these related resources:- Founder Accord: Establish founder relationships and equity splits
- Advisor Agreements: Bring advisors into your company
- Incorporation: Formally establish your legal entity as a corporation
- LLC Formation: Formally establish your legal entity as an LLC