I hate to be a downer here, but a lot of options you disclose above are breaches of fiduciary duty that would end up getting the remaining founder sued. I'd re

I hate to be a downer here, but a lot of options you disclose above are breaches of fiduciary duty that would end up getting the remaining founder sued. I'd really be careful about creative workarounds like that. Your point about knowing the co-founder is intending to leave resulting in trouble is a very good one. Virtual guarantee that as part of a VC round, you will be making representations that you have no reason to believe any key employee intends to leave the company. you don't want to breach such a rep.