As a co-founder, you are a partial owner of the company and am well within your rights to see the books. What do you mean when you say that you "got shutdown"?

As a co-founder, you are a partial owner of the company and am well within your rights to see the books. What do you mean when you say that you "got shutdown"? If by this you mean that your request was denied / not taken seriously, then you should have a serious conversation with your co-founder(s). It shouldn't be a "need to know" situation.