You Can’t Fire a VC From Your Board: Here’s Why | Wilson Sonsini Startup Legal Basics

The gist

1. Delay forming a formal board until you raise $2–3M; a founders-only board with written consent keeps early control simple.
2. Preferred stock investors get designation rights letting them seat a director as long as they hold 25–50% of their original shares, making removal nearly impossible.
3. Independent directors at early-stage startups are typically paid 0.5–1% equity vesting monthly over 2 years, not cash.
4. Build informal touchpoints with board members before any conflict arises, since trust makes hard conversations much easier.