<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.25

                           STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

     THIS STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT is made as of the ____ day of ________ 2000,
by and between CrossWorlds Software, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company") and  The Dow Chemical Company (the "Investor").

     WHEREAS, the Investor has indicated a desire to purchase shares of Common
Stock, $0.001 par value (the "Common Stock") from the Company at the price per
share set forth in Section 1.2 below.

     WHEREAS, the Company has indicated a desire to sell shares of Common Stock
to the Investor at the price per share set forth in Section 1.2 below.

     WHEREAS, the Company and the Investor have agreed that this Agreement shall
constitute the entire understanding and agreement between the parties with
regard to the subject matter hereof.

     NOW, THEREFORE, THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

     1.  Purchase and Sale of Stock.
         --------------------------

         1.1  Sale and Issuance of Stock.  Subject to the terms and conditions
              --------------------------
     of this Agreement, the Company agrees to sell to the Investor and the
     Investor agrees to purchase from the Company at the price per share set
     forth in Section 1.2 below such number of shares of the Company's Common
     Stock (the "Stock") as is equal to $2 million of shares of Common Stock at
     the price per share set forth in Section 1.2 below.

         1.2  The Closing.  The purchase and sale of the Stock shall be held at
              -----------
     the Company's offices concurrently with the closing of the Company's
     initial public offering (the "IPO") assuming that each of the conditions
     set forth in Sections 4 and 5 have been satisfied or waived (the
     "Closing").  At the Closing, the Company will deliver the Stock to the
     Investor against payment of the purchase price therefor by check payable to
     the order of the Company or by wire transfer.  The per share purchase price
     for the Stock shall be equal to the per share price paid by the public for
     the Company's Common Stock in the IPO, less any underwriter discounts and
     commissions, as reflected on the cover page of the final prospectus for
     such offering (as corrected for typographical errors, if necessary,
     thereafter).

     2.  Representations and Warranties of the Company.  The Company hereby
         ---------------------------------------------
represents and warrants to the Investor that, except as disclosed to the
Investor in a separate letter dated as of the date of this Agreement:

          2.1  Organization and Good Standing.  The Company is a corporation
               ------------------------------
     duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
     State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to
     carry on its business as now conducted.

          2.2  Authorization.  All corporate action on the part of the Company,
               -------------
     its officers, directors and stockholders necessary for the authorization,
     execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance of all
     obligations of the Company hereunder, and the authorization, issuance and
     delivery of the Stock has been taken or will be taken at the Company's next
     Board meeting prior to the Closing.  Upon such authorization, this
     Agreement will be a valid and binding obligation of the Company,
     enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to
     laws of general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and the
     relief of debtors and by general principles of equity.

          2.3  Valid Issuance of Stock.  The Stock, when issued, sold and
               -----------------------
     delivered in accordance with the terms hereof for the consideration
     expressed, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable,
     free and clear of any claims, liens, encumbrances, security interests,
     options, charges or restrictions whatsoever, and, based in part upon the
     representations of the Investor in this Agreement, will be issued in
     compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws.
<PAGE>

          2.4  Litigation.  Except as set forth in the Company's registration
               ----------
     statement prepared in connection with the IPO, as filed with the Securities
     and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and amended from time to time (the
     "Registration Statement"), there are no actions, proceedings or
     investigations pending or, to the best of Company's knowledge, any basis
     therefor or threat thereof, against or affecting the Company, that, either
     in any case or in the aggregate, would result in any material adverse
     change in the business, financial condition, or results of operations of
     the Company.

          2.5  Properties.  To the Company's knowledge (but without having
               ----------
     conducted any special investigation), the Company has (i) good and
     marketable title to its properties and assets and has good title to all its
     leasehold interests, and (ii) sufficient title, license and/or ownership of
     all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, trade
     secrets, information, proprietary rights and processes necessary for its
     business as now conducted on the date hereof.

          2.6  Compliance with Other Documents.  The execution and delivery of
               -------------------------------
     this Agreement, consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and
     compliance with the terms and provisions hereof will not conflict with or
     result in a breach of the terms and conditions of, or constitute a default
     under the Restated Certificate or Bylaws of the Company or of any contract
     or agreement to which the Company is now a party, except where such
     conflict, breach or default of any such contract or agreement, either
     individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect
     either on the Company's business, financial condition or results of
     operations or on the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          2.7  Financial Statements.  The Company's audited balance sheet at
               --------------------
     December 31, 1999, and the related statements of operations and statements
     of cash flows for the period then ended (collectively, the "Financial
     Statements"): (I) are in accordance with the books and records of the
     Company, (II) present fairly the financial condition of the Company at such
     date and the results of its operations for the period therein specified,
     and (III) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
     accounting principles applied on a consistent basis.  The Company has no
     material liabilities or obligations which are not shown or provided for in
     the Financial Statements, except liabilities or obligations after December
     31, 1999 in the ordinary course of business which, individually or in the
     aggregate, would not be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect
     upon the business, operations or financial condition of the Company.

     3.  Representations and Warranties of the Investor.  The Investor hereby
         ----------------------------------------------
represents and warrants that:

          3.1  Authorization.  This Agreement constitutes the valid and legally
               -------------
     binding obligation of the Investor, enforceable in accordance with its
     terms, subject to laws of general application relating to bankruptcy,
     insolvency and the relief of debtors and by general principles of equity.

          3.2  Investigation.  The Investor acknowledges that it has had an
               -------------
     opportunity to discuss the business, affairs and current prospects of the
     Company with the Company's president.  The Investor further acknowledges
     having had access to information about the Company that it has requested or
     considers necessary for purposes of purchasing the Stock.

          3.3  Accredited Investor.  The Investor is an "accredited investor" as
               -------------------
     such term is defined in Regulation D adopted by the SEC.

          3.4  Purchase Entirely for Own Account.  This Agreement is made with
               ---------------------------------
     the Investor in reliance upon the Investor's representation to the Company,
     which by the Investor's execution of this Agreement the Investor hereby
     confirms, that the Stock will be acquired for investment for the Investor's
     own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the resale
     or distribution of any part thereof, and that the Investor has no present
     intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise
     distributing the same.

     4.  Conditions to the Investor's Obligation at Closing.  The obligation of
         --------------------------------------------------
the Investor to purchase the Stock at the Closing is subject to the fulfillment
to the Investor's satisfaction on or prior to the Closing of the following
conditions:

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

         4.1  Representations and Warranties.  The representations and
              ------------------------------
     warranties made by the Company in Section 2 hereof shall be true and
     correct when made, and shall be true and correct as of the Closing with the
     same force and effect as if they had been made on and as of such date,
     subject to changes contemplated by this Agreement.

         4.2  Securities Laws.  The offer and sale of the Stock to the Investor
              ---------------
     pursuant to this Agreement shall be exempt from the registration
     requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
     Act") and qualification requirements of all applicable state securities
     laws.

         4.3  Authorizations.  All authorizations, approvals or permits, if
              --------------
     any, of any governmental authority or regulatory body or other persons that
     are required for the Company to obtain on its own behalf in connection with
     the lawful issuance and sale of the Stock pursuant to this Agreement shall
     have been duly obtained and shall be effective on and as of the Closing.

         4.4  Initial Public Offering of Common Stock.  The initial public
              ---------------------------------------
     offering of the Company's Common Stock shall have occurred on or before
     July 1, 2000.

         4.5  No Injunction or Litigation.  No injunction or binding order,
              ---------------------------
     decree or ruling issued by any court or governmental agency shall be in
     effect which prevents the consummation of the transactions contemplated
     hereby and there shall be no litigation and no public or private proceeding
     which seeks to prevent, or seeks damages with respect to, the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement; provided that the foregoing sentence shall
     not be construed to apply as a condition to Closing hereunder if such
     injunction or litigation is commenced by the Investor.

         4.6  No Material Adverse Change.  There shall have been no material
              --------------------------
     adverse change to the business, assets, operations or financial condition
     of the Company.

         4.7  Compliance.  The Company shall have performed and complied with
              ----------
     all of its obligations hereunder to be performed or complied with on or
     prior to the Closing date.

         4.8  Officer's Certificate.  The Investor shall have received a
              ---------------------
     certificate, dated the Closing date, of the President or Chief Financial
     Officer of the Company, confirming the matters set forth in Section 4.1,
     4.3, 4.6, 4.7 and, to such officer's knowledge,  4.5.

     5.  Conditions to the Company's Obligations at Closing.  The obligation of
         --------------------------------------------------
the Company to sell the Stock at the Closing is subject to the fulfillment to
the Company's satisfaction on or prior to the Closing of the following
conditions:

         5.1  Representations and Warranties.  The representations and
              ------------------------------
     warranties of the Investor contained in Section 3 hereof shall be true as
     of the Closing with the same force and effect as if they had been made on
     and as of such date, subject to changes contemplated by this Agreement.

         5.2  Securities Laws.  The offer and sale of the Stock to the Investor
              ---------------
     pursuant to this Agreement shall be exempt from the registration
     requirements of the Securities Act and qualification requirements of all
     applicable state securities laws.

         5.3  Authorizations.  All authorizations, approvals or permits, if
              --------------
     any, of any governmental authority or regulatory body that are required in
     connection with the lawful issuance and sale of the Stock pursuant to this
     Agreement shall have been duly obtained and shall be effective on and as of
     the Closing.

         5.4  Initial Public Offering of Common Stock.  The initial public
              ---------------------------------------
     offering of the Company's Common Stock shall have occurred on or before
     July 1, 2000.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

         5.5  Payment of Purchase Price.  The Investor shall have delivered to
              -------------------------
     the Company the purchase price for the Stock as set forth in Section 1.2
     hereof.

         5.6  No Injunction or Litigation.  No injunction or binding order,
              ---------------------------
     decree or ruling issued by any court or governmental agency shall be in
     effect which prevents the consummation of the transactions contemplated
     hereby and there shall be no litigation and no public or private proceeding
     which seeks to prevent, or seeks damages with respect to, the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement.

         5.7  Compliance.  The Investor shall have performed and complied with
              ----------
     all of its obligations hereunder to be performed or complied with on or
     prior to the Closing date.

     6.  Covenants of the Company and the Investor.
         -----------------------------------------

         6.1  Agreement Not to Transfer.
              -------------------------

              (a)     Prior to the first anniversary of the Closing, the
         Investor shall not, directly or indirectly, Transfer or offer to
         Transfer any shares of the Stock other than to affiliates who agree to
         be bound by the terms of this Agreement, unless the Company consents to
         such Transfer and the transferee agrees to be bound by this Agreement.
         Any such Transfer must comply with all applicable laws, and the Company
         may require an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to it as to
         such compliance. The restrictions set forth above are referred to as
         the "Transfer Restrictions."

              (b)     In order to enforce the Transfer Restrictions, the Company
         may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Stock until
         the end of the restricted period.

              (c)     As used in this Agreement, the term "Transfer" shall mean
         any sale, transfer, assignment, hypothecation, encumbrance or other
         disposition, whether voluntary or involuntary, of shares of the Stock.
         In the case of a hypothecation, the Transfer shall be deemed to occur
         both at the time of the initial pledge and at any pledgee's sale or a
         sale by any secured creditor or a retention by the secured creditor of
         the pledged shares of the Stock in complete or partial satisfaction of
         the indebtedness for which the shares of the Stock are security.

              (d)     After the first anniversary of the Closing, the Investor
         may Transfer shares of the Stock without the transferee agreeing to be
         bound by this Agreement and without the consent of the Company,
         provided such Transfer complies with applicable federal and state
         securities laws.

          6.2  Market Stand-Off.  In addition to the Transfer Restrictions
               ----------------
(which shall in no way be limited by the following), in connection with any
underwritten public offering by the Company of its equity securities pursuant to
an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, the Investor
shall not Transfer or offer to Transfer any shares of the Stock without the
prior written consent of the Company and its underwriters. Such restriction (the
"Market Stand-Off") shall be in effect for such period of time from and after
the effective date of the final prospectus for the offering as may be requested
by the Company or such underwriters; provided, however, that (i) such Market
Stand-Off shall not exceed one hundred eighty (180) days, and (ii) the Investor
shall be subject to the Market Stand-Off only if the officers and directors of
the Company are also subject to similar restrictions. In order to enforce the
Market Stand-Off, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect
to the Stock until the end of the applicable stand-off period.

          6.3  Voting Agreements.  The following provision will be applicable at
               -----------------
any time the Investor owns or controls in excess of 9.5% of the Voting
Securities (as defined below) during the first five (5) years after the Closing:
In the event that the Board of Directors of the Company approves a sale of
substantially all of the assets or capital stock of the Company or a merger in
which the Company would not be the surviving corporation, the Investor agrees to
vote all shares of Voting Securities owned by it with respect to such sale of
substantially all of the assets or capital stock or merger in the same
proportion as the votes cast

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

by all other stockholders of the Company entitled to vote on such matter (other
than the Investor) at such time as such matter is presented for a vote of the
stockholders of the Company. The Investor, as a holder of Voting Securities,
shall be present, in person or by proxy, at all meetings of stockholders of the
Company so that all shares of Voting Securities beneficially owned by it may be
counted for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum at such
meetings. For purposes of this Agreement, (i) the term "Voting Securities" shall
refer to all securities of the Company entitled to vote generally for the
election of directors, and (ii) the term "beneficial ownership" shall have the
meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act").

          6.4  Investor Rights Agreement.  Concurrently with the execution of
               -------------------------
this Agreement, the parties shall enter into the Investor Rights Agreement
attached hereto as Exhibit A.

     7.  Miscellaneous.
         -------------

         7.1  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed in all respects
              -------------
by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflict of law
provisions thereof.

         7.2  Survival; Additional Securities.  The representations and
              -------------------------------
warranties set forth in Sections 2 and 3 shall survive until the Closing. The
covenants and agreements set forth in Section 6 shall survive in accordance with
their terms. Any new, substituted or additional securities which are by reason
of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or reorganization
distributed with respect to the Stock ("Stock Distributions") shall be
immediately subject to the covenants and agreements set forth in Section 6 to
the same extent the Stock is at such time covered by such provisions.

         7.3  Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise expressly provided
              ----------------------
herein, the provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding
upon, the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto. Nothing in
this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other
than the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights,
remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement,
except as expressly provided in this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained herein, the covenants set forth in Section 6 shall not be
binding upon any entity which acquires any shares of the Stock or a Stock
Distribution in a transaction (x) after the first anniversary of the Closing or
(y) prior to the first anniversary of the Closing to which the Company consents
in accordance with Section 6.1(a) (other than an affiliate of the Investor) or
(z) otherwise permitted hereunder.

         7.4  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement and the Investor Rights
              ----------------
Agreement constitute the entire understanding and agreement between the
parties with regard to the subject matter hereof.

         7.5  Notices.  Except as otherwise provided, all notices and other
              -------
communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing, shall be
effective when given, and shall in any event be deemed to be given upon receipt
or, if earlier, (i) five (5) days after deposit with the U.S. postal service or
other applicable postal service, if delivered by first class mail, postage
prepaid, (ii) upon delivery, if delivered by hand, (iii) one (1) business day
after the day of deposit with Federal Express or similar overnight courier,
freight prepaid, if delivered by overnight courier or (iv) one (1) business day
after the day of facsimile transmission, if delivered by facsimile transmission
with copy by first class mail, postage prepaid, and shall be addressed, (a) if
to the Investor, at the Investor's address set forth below its signature, or at
such other address as the Investor shall have furnished to the Company in
writing, or (b) if to the Company, at its address as set forth below its
signature, or at such other address as the Company shall have furnished to the
Investor in writing.

         7.6  Amendments and Waivers.  Any term of this Agreement may be
              ----------------------
amended and the observance of any term of the Agreement may be waived (either
generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively)
only with the written consent of the Company and the Investor.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

         7.7  Legal Fees.  In the event of any action at law, suit in equity or
              ----------
arbitration proceeding in relation to this Agreement or the Stock or any Stock
Distribution, the prevailing party shall be paid by the other party a reasonable
sum for the attorneys' fees and expenses incurred by such prevailing party.

         7.8  Expenses; No Liability.  Irrespective of whether the Closing is
              ----------------------
effected, the Company and the Investor shall each pay their own costs and
expenses incurred with respect to the negotiation, execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement. The parties agree that if the Closing does not
occur due to reasons including the failure of the conditions set forth in
Section 4.2 or Section 5.2, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on
the part of any party to the other for any resulting damages, claims or other
liabilities.

         7.9  Titles and Subtitles.  The titles of the paragraphs and
              --------------------
subparagraphs of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are
not to be considered in construing this Agreement.

         7.10 Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts,
              ------------
each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one instrument.

         7.11 Severability.  If one or more provisions of this Agreement are
              ------------
held to be unenforceable under applicable law, such provision shall be excluded
from this Agreement and the balance of the Agreement shall be interpreted as if
such provision were so excluded and shall be enforceable in accordance with its
terms.

         7.12 Confidentiality.  The parties hereto agree that, except with the
              ---------------
prior written permission of the other party, each shall at all times keep
confidential and not divulge, furnish, or make accessible to anyone any
confidential information, knowledge, or data concerning or relating to the
business or financial affairs of such other party to which said party has been
or shall become privy by reason of (i) this Agreement, (ii) discussions or
negotiations relating to this Agreement, or (iii) the performance of obligations
hereunder. The parties agree that for the purposes of this Section 7.12
confidential information shall not include any information that is in the public
domain or is independently developed or received from an independent source or
is required by legal action to be disclosed.

                          [Signature Page to Follow]

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the day and year hereinabove first written.

CrossWorlds Software, Inc.
577 Airport Blvd., Suite 800
Burlingame, California 94010



-------------------------
By:
Title:



The Dow Chemical Company
(address)
         ---------------
------------------------


------------------------
By:
Title:

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT A

                           INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

     THIS INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made as of the ____
                                           ---------
day of ________, 2000, by and among CrossWorlds Software, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company") The Dow Chemical Company (the "Investor").
                  -------                                  --------

                                    RECITALS
                                    --------

     WHEREAS, the Company and the Investor are entering into a Stock Purchase
Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") of even date herewith; and
                ------------------

     WHEREAS, in order to induce the Investor to purchase shares of Common Stock
pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company desires to grant certain
registration rights to the Investor as set forth herein.

     NOW, THEREFORE, THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

     1.  Registration Rights.  The Company covenants and agrees as follows:
         -------------------
         1.1   Definitions.  For purposes of this Section 1:
               -----------

               (a)    The term "Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as
                                ---
amended.

               (b)    The term "Affiliated Person" shall mean any Person who is
                                -----------------
an "affiliate" (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended).

               (c)    The term "Holder" means the Investor or any permitted
assignee of the registration rights with respect to the Registrable Securities
pursuant to the terms of Section 1.8.

               (d)    The term "1934 Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act
                                --------
of 1934, as amended.

               (e)    The term "person" means any individual, firm, corporation,
                                ------
partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture,
joint stock company, limited liability company, government (or any agency or
political subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind, and shall include
any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.

               (f)    The terms "register", "registered" and "registration"
                                 --------    ----------       ------------
refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration
statement or similar document in compliance with the Act, and the declaration or
ordering of effectiveness of such registration statement or document.

               (g)    The term "Registrable Securities" means Common Stock
                                ----------------------
issued to the Investor pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, and any Common Stock
of the Company issued as (or issuable upon the conversion or exercise of any
warrant, right or other security which is issued as) a dividend or other
distribution with respect to, or in exchange for or in replacement of, the
foregoing, excluding, however, any shares sold or transferred by a person in a
transaction in which the rights under this Section 1 are not assigned.
Registrable Securities shall also include all securities defined as "Registrable
Securities" under the Fifth Restated Investor Rights Agreement dated October 1,
1999 among the Company and various investors.

               (h)    The number of shares of "Registrable Securities then
                                               ---------------------------
outstanding" shall be determined by the number of shares of Common Stock
-----------
outstanding which are, and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable
pursuant to then exercisable or convertible securities which are, Registrable
Securities.


                                      -1-
<PAGE>

              (i)    The term "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange
                               ---
Commission.

         1.2  Piggyback Registration Rights      .
              --------------------------------

              (a)     Registration Rights. At any time after January 31, 2001,
                      -------------------
if the Company proposes to register any of its stock or other securities under
the Act in connection with the public offering of such securities solely for
cash (other than a registration relating solely to the sale of securities to
participants in a Company stock plan, a registration effected pursuant to Rule
145 under the Act, or a registration on any form which does not include
substantially the same information as would be required to be included in a
registration statement covering the sale of the Registrable Securities) the
Company shall, at such time, promptly give each Holder written notice of such
registration. Upon the written request of each Holder given within fifteen (15)
days after mailing of such notice by the Company in accordance with Section 7,
the Company shall, subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) below, cause to be
registered under the Act of the Purchase Agreement all of the Registrable
Securities that each such Holder has requested to be registered.

         (b)   Underwriting. If the registration of which the Company gives
               ------------
notice is for a registered public offering involving an underwriting, the
Company shall so advise the Holders as part of the written notice given pursuant
to Section 1.2(a). In such event, the right of any Holder to registration
pursuant to this Section 1.2 shall be conditioned upon such Holder's
participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of Registrable Securities
in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All Holders proposing to
distribute their securities through such underwriting shall (together with the
Company and the other holders distributing their securities through such
underwriting) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the
managing underwriter selected for such underwriting by the Company.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 1.2, if the Company and the
managing underwriter determine that marketing factors require a limitation of
the number of shares to be underwritten, the managing underwriter may limit or
exclude entirely the Registrable Securities to be included in such registration.
The Company shall so advise all Holders distributing their securities through
such underwriting, and the number of shares of Registrable Securities and other
securities that may be included in the registration and underwriting on behalf
of persons other than the Company shall be allocated among all Holders and such
other holders in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective amounts
of Registrable Securities and other securities entitled to registration rights
held by such Holders and other holders at the time of filing the registration
statement. To facilitate the allocation of shares in accordance with the above
provisions, the Company may round the number of shares allocated to any Holder
or other holder to the nearest 100 shares.

         1.3  Furnish Information.  It shall be a condition precedent to the
              -------------------
obligations of the Company to take any action pursuant to this Section 1 with
respect to the Registrable Securities of any selling Holder that such Holder
shall furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable
Securities held by it, and the intended method of disposition of such securities
as shall be required to effect the registration of such Holder's Registrable
Securities.

         1.4  Expenses of Registration.  The Company shall bear and pay all
              ------------------------
expenses incurred in connection with any registration, filing (including keeping
such filings effective) or qualification of Registrable Securities with respect
to the registrations pursuant to this Agreement, including (without limitation)
all registration, filing, and qualification fees, printers and accounting fees
relating or apportionable thereto and the fees and disbursements of counsel for
the Company and no more than one counsel for all the selling Holders, but
excluding underwriting discounts and commissions relating to Registrable
Securities.

         1.5  No Delay of Registration.  No Holder shall have any right to
              ------------------------
obtain or seek an injunction restraining or otherwise delaying any such
registration as the result of any controversy that might arise with respect to
the interpretation or implementation of this Section 1.

         1.6  Indemnification.  In the event any Registrable Securities are
              ---------------
included in a registration statement under this Section 1:


                                      -2-
<PAGE>

              (a)     To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify
and hold harmless each Holder, any underwriter (as defined in the Act) for such
Holder and each person, if any, who controls such Holder or underwriter within
the meaning of the Act or the 1934 Act, against any losses, claims, damages, or
liabilities (joint or several) to which they may become subject under the Act,
the 1934 Act or other federal or state law, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are
based upon any of the following statements, omissions or violations
(collectively a "Violation"): (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
                 ---------
statement of a material fact contained in such registration statement, including
any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or any
amendments or supplements thereto, (ii) the omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, or (iii) any violation or alleged
violation by the Company of the Act, the 1934 Act, any state securities law or
any rule or regulation promulgated under the Act, the 1934 Act or any state
securities law; and the Company will pay to each such Holder, underwriter or
controlling person any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in
connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage,
liability, or action, as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the
indemnity agreement contained in this subsection 1.6(a) shall not apply to
amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action
if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld), nor shall the Company be liable to any
indemnitee for any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action to the extent
that it arises out of or is based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon
and in conformity with written information furnished by such indemnitee.

              (b)     To the extent permitted by law, each Holder will indemnify
and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who
has signed the registration statement, each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of the Act, any underwriter, any other Holder selling
securities in such registration statement and any controlling person of any such
underwriter or other Holder, severally but not jointly, against any losses,
claims, damages, or liabilities (joint or several) to which any of the foregoing
persons may become subject, under the Act, the 1934 Act or other federal or
state law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions
in respect thereto) arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case
to the extent (and only to the extent) that such Violation occurs in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished by such Holder; and
each such Holder will pay any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by any
person intended to be indemnified pursuant to this subsection 1.6(b), in
connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage,
liability, or action; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained
in this subsection 1.6(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any
such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected
without the consent of the Holder, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld; provided that in no event shall any indemnity by any Holder under this
subsection 1.6(b) exceed the gross proceeds from the offering received by such
Holder.

              (c)     Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this
Section 1.6 of notice of the commencement of any action (including any
governmental action), such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof
is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 1.6, deliver to
the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof and the
indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent
the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party
similarly noticed, to assume the defense thereof with one counsel mutually
satisfactory to the parties; provided, however, that an indemnified party
(together with all other indemnified parties which may be represented without
conflict by one counsel) shall have the right to retain one separate counsel,
with the fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if
representation of such indemnified party by the counsel retained by the
indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing
interests between such indemnified party and any other party represented by such
counsel in such proceeding. The failure to deliver written notice to the
indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such
action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the
indemnified party under this Section 1.6 unless the failure to deliver notice is
materially prejudicial to its ability to defend such action. Any omission to so
deliver written notice to the indemnifying party will not relieve it of any
liability that it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this
Section 1.6.

              (d)     If the indemnification provided for in this Section 1.6 is
held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified
party with respect to any loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense referred to
therein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified
party hereunder,
<PAGE>

shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a
result of such loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense in such proportion as
is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party on the
one hand and of the indemnified party on the other in connection with the
statements or omissions that resulted in such loss, liability, claim, damage, or
expense as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; provided that in
no event shall any Holder be required to contribute under this subsection 1.6(d)
an aggregate amount in excess of the gross proceeds from the offering received
by such Holder less any amounts paid by the Holder pursuant to subsection
1.6(b). The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified
party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the
untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a
material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by
the indemnified party and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information, and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

              (e)     Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the
provisions on indemnification and contribution contained in the underwriting
agreement entered into in connection with the underwritten public offering are
in conflict with the foregoing provisions, the provisions in the underwriting
agreement shall control.

              (f)     The obligations of the Company and Holders under this
Section 1.6 shall survive the completion of any offering of Registrable
Securities in a registration statement under this Section 1, and otherwise.

         1.7  Reports under Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  With a view to
              ---------------------------------------------
making available to the Holders the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the
Act and any other rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit a
Holder to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration, the
Company agrees to:

              (a)     make and keep public information available, as those terms
are understood and defined in SEC Rule 144, at all times after ninety (90) days
after the effective date of the first registration statement filed by the
Company for the offering of its securities to the general public;

              (b)     file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other
documents required of the Company under the Act and the 1934 Act; and

              (c)     furnish to any Holder, so long as the Holder owns any
Registrable Securities, forthwith upon request (i) a written statement by the
Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of SEC Rule 144 (at
any time after ninety (90) days after the effective date of the first
registration statement filed by the Company), the Act and the 1934 Act (at any
time after it has become subject to such reporting requirements), (ii) a copy of
the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports
and documents so filed by the Company, and (iii) such other information as may
be reasonably requested in availing any Holder of any rule or regulation of the
SEC which permits the selling of any such securities without registration.

         1.8  Assignment of Registration Rights.  The rights to cause the
              ---------------------------------
Company to register Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 1 may be
assigned (but only with all related obligations) by a Holder to a transferee or
assignee of such securities who, after such assignment or transfer, holds at
least one hundred thousand (100,000) shares of Registrable Securities (subject
to appropriate adjustment for stock splits, dividends, combinations and other
recapitalizations), provided:  (a) the Company is, within a reasonable time
before such transfer, furnished with written notice of the name and address of
such transferee or assignee and the securities with respect to which such
registration rights are being assigned; (b) such transferee or assignee agrees
in writing to be bound by and subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, including without limitation the provisions of Section 1.9 below; and
(c) such assignment shall be effective only if immediately following such
transfer the further disposition of such securities by the transferee or
assignee is restricted under the Act.  For the purposes of determining the
number of shares of Registrable Securities held by a transferee or assignee of a
holder of Registrable Securities, Affiliated Persons shall be aggregated
together, provided that all assignees and transferees who would not qualify
individually for assignment of registration rights shall designate in writing to
the Company from time to time


                                      -4-
<PAGE>

a single attorney-in-fact on behalf of the entire group of Affiliated Persons
for the purpose of exercising any rights, receiving notices or taking any action
under this Section 1.

         1.9  "Market Stand-Off" Agreement. The Investor shall be bound by
              ----------------------------
the transfer restrictions and market standoff provisions set forth in the
Purchase Agreement to the extent, but only to the extent, set forth in the
Purchase Agreement.  In addition:

              (a)     Each Holder other than the Investor hereby agrees that,
during the period of duration specified by the Company and an underwriter of
common stock or other securities of the Company, following the effective date of
a registration statement of the Company filed under the Act, it shall not, to
the extent requested by the Company and such underwriter, directly or indirectly
sell, offer to sell, contract to sell (including, without limitation, any short
sale), grant any option to purchase or otherwise transfer or dispose of (other
than to donees who agree to be similarly bound) any securities of the Company
held by it as of the effective date except common stock included in such
registration; provided, however, that:

                      (i)    all officers and directors of the Company enter
into similar agreements; and

                      (ii)   such market stand-off time period shall not exceed
one hundred eighty (180) days without the consent of the affected Holder; and

              (b)     Each Holder other than the Investor agrees to provide to
the other Underwriters of any public offering such further agreement as such
Underwriter may require in connection with this market stand-off agreement. In
order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer
instructions with respect to the Registrable Securities of each Holder (and the
shares or securities of every other person subject to the foregoing restriction)
until the end of such period.

         1.10  Termination of Registration Rights.  The right of any Holder
               ----------------------------------
to inclusion in any registration pursuant to Section 1.2 shall terminate upon
such date as, in the opinion of counsel to the Company,  a public trading market
shall exist for the Company's Common Stock and all shares of Registrable
Securities beneficially owned or subject to Rule 144 aggregation by such Holder
may immediately be sold under Rule 144 (without regard to Rule 144(k)) during
any 90-day period and such Holder holds less than one percent (1%) of the
outstanding capital stock of the Company.

     2.  Securities Law Compliance.
         -------------------------

         2.1   Restrictions on Transferability. The Registrable Securities and
               -------------------------------
any other securities issued with respect of the Registrable Securities upon any
stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, or similar
event, shall not be sold, assigned, transferred or pledged except upon the
conditions specified in the Purchase Agreement and this Agreement, which
conditions are intended to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Act, or
otherwise in compliance with the Act.  In any sale, transfer, assignment or
pledge of any such shares prior to the first anniversary of the Closing (as
defined in the Purchase Agreement) other than in a public offering, the Investor
will cause any proposed purchaser, assignee, transferee, or pledgee of such
shares held by the Investor to agree to take and hold such securities subject to
the provisions and upon the conditions specified in the Purchase Agreement and
this Agreement, unless otherwise consented to by the Company.

         2.2   Further Limitations on Disposition.  Without in any way
               ----------------------------------
limiting the above, the Investor further agrees not to make any disposition of
all or any portion of the Registrable Securities unless and until the transferee
has agreed in writing for the benefit of the Company to be bound by Sections 1.9
of this Agreement and (to the extent required by applicable securities law, in
the opinion of counsel to the Company) has agreed to be bound by these Sections
2.1 and 2.2; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply if:

               (a)  There is then in effect a Registration Statement under the
Act covering such proposed disposition and such disposition is made in
accordance with such Registration Statement; or

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

              (b)     (i) The Investor shall have notified the Company of the
proposed disposition and shall have furnished the Company with a detailed
statement of the circumstances surrounding the proposed disposition, and (ii)
until such time as the proposed disposition may be made under Rule 144(k) under
the 1934 Act, if reasonably requested by the Company, the Investor shall have
furnished the Company with an opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the
Company, that such disposition will not require registration of such shares
under the Act; or

              (c)     The proposed disposition is made under Rule 144(k).

         2.3  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the
shares of stock acquired by the Investor from the Company pursuant to the
Purchase Agreement (and any other securities issued with respect to such
securities upon any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, merger,
consolidation or similar event) may be sold, assigned, transferred or pledged by
Investor to any person and such person shall not be required to take and hold
such securities subject to the Purchase Agreement, this Agreement or any of the
provisions hereof or thereof, so long as the transaction is at least one year
after the Closing (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), complies with
applicable federal and state securities laws, and Investor is not transferring
to such person the registration rights set forth in Section 1 hereof.

     3.  Miscellaneous.  Section 7 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby
         -------------
incorporated by reference as though restated in full herein and applied to this
Agreement.


                                      -6-
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Investor Rights
Agreement as of the date first above written.

                         CROSSWORLDS SOFTWARE, INC.

                         By:
                            ---------------------------------------
                             Name:
                             Title:

                         Address:  577 Airport Boulevard, Suite 800
                                   Burlingame, CA  94010


                         INVESTOR:

                         THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY


                         By:
                            ---------------------------------------
                             Name:
                             Title:

                         Address:
                                 ------------------------
                                 ------------------------
                                 ------------------------

                                      -7-