{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/shareholder-agreements","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/shareholder-agreements","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"shareholder-agreements","term":"Shareholder Agreements","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"A contract among shareholders of a corporation that governs their relationship, rights, and responsibilities, often including restrictions on share transfers. Buyers need to understand who controls the company and any limitations on future sales.","what_it_means":"These agreements are crucial in a stock purchase, outlining voting rights, buy-sell provisions, and often non-compete clauses for selling shareholders. Scrutinize these for any clauses that could impact your control or future exit. Make sure all selling shareholders are party to the agreement or that it is properly terminated.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/shareholder-agreements","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"corporation","term":"Corporation","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/corporation"},{"slug":"stock-purchase","term":"Stock purchase","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/stock-purchase"},{"slug":"non-compete","term":"Non-compete","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/non-compete"},{"slug":"bylaws","term":"Bylaws","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/bylaws"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What specific conditions trigger affiliation due to contractual relationships or franchise agreements?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-specific-conditions-trigger-affiliation-due-to-contractual-relationships-or-franchise"},{"question":"What are the key distinctions between cross-purchase and entity-purchase buy-sell agreements?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-are-the-key-distinctions-between-cross-purchase-and-entity-purchase-buy-sell-agreemen"},{"question":"How does the SBA review franchise agreements for compliance if there are unusual clauses regarding termination or transfer?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-does-the-sba-review-franchise-agreements-for-compliance-if-there-are-unusual-clauses-r"},{"question":"How does the SBA determine if a franchisor has \"control\" over a franchisee for affiliation purposes, beyond standard agreements?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-does-the-sba-determine-if-a-franchisor-has-control-over-a-franchisee-for-affiliation-p"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Shareholder Agreements","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/shareholder-agreements","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}