founders' shares

plural noun

, Finance.

1. shares of stock given, at least nominally, for consideration to the organizers or original subscribers of a corporation, sometimes carrying special voting privileges, but likely to receive dividends after other classes of stock.

founders' shares

plural noun

1. shares awarded to the founders of a company and often granting special privileges

Word History and Origins

Origin of founders' shares¹

First recorded in 1885–90