In my imagination this would initially be like your SAFE template or perhaps a checklist. A legally vetted document that tries to take into account the interests of both founders and investors while covering the important bases.
I'm glad it's being thought about one way or another!
> tries to take into account the interests of both founders and investors
Customers first, employees second, founders third, investors last. You may want to think over why the last two are in that order, my reasons are simple: investors know the risks going in, and they will not eat one sandwich less. Founders need to be able to get on with their lives too.
Which is why you have to go out of your way to do them in the order specified.
You have to operate within the confines of the laws at each step, but if you don't take care of the employees before the founders and the investors, then they're going to get screwed the most.
When you have a good plan for getting out of something you're that much more likely to get into it. Think about it -- this the easiest way to get more people to try creating more startups.
YC provides assistance but unlike starting from zero, shutdown is unique for each company.
My latest company started the same as all the others but ended up registered to varying degrees in four states, each with its own dissolution procedures. Never mind financing, vendor, customer, and other agreements that may be in play.