Guides on co-founder equity splits, option pool sizing, vesting schedules, and early employee equity. Free calculators included.
Equity decisions made at the start of a company ripple through every future round, hire, and exit event. From splitting equity between co-founders to sizing an option pool that attracts top talent without destroying founder ownership, these guides cover the frameworks, formulas, and negotiation tactics you need. Each one links to our free equity, vesting, or option pool calculator so you can model the scenarios that matter to your startup.
Free option pool calculator + complete sizing guide. Pre-seed: 10%, Seed: 15%, Series A: 18%. See how option pools dilute founders, not investors. Includes hiring plan templates.
Data shows technical co-founders average 5-10% more equity. See the fairness calculator, real examples, and avoid the #1 mistake that kills startups.
62% of 50/50 splits end in founder conflict within 3 years. Learn why equal equity splits fail, proven alternative models (60/40, 70/30), and decision frameworks for dividing founder equity fairly.
Complete guide to early employee equity allocation. Learn what equity to offer employees #1-5 (0.5-2%), #6-20 (0.1-0.5%), and #21+ with real benchmarks from Carta and AngelList.
92% of funded startups require founder vesting. Learn why the 4-year schedule with 1-year cliff matters and how to protect your equity.
15% option pool equals 12-13 points of founder dilution. Learn the math of option pool dilution, pre-money vs post-money structures, and negotiation tactics to minimize founder dilution.
Complete guide to vesting acceleration clauses in M&A and acquisitions. 85% of acquisitions include double-trigger acceleration. Learn single trigger vs double trigger, when acceleration happens, and negotiation tactics.
First-time founders underestimate SAFE dilution by 12-18 percentage points. Learn the 7 deadly SAFE sins and how to protect your ownership when raising capital.
Master SAFE valuation cap negotiations with data-backed benchmarks, proven frameworks, and real scenarios. Includes geographic caps and the 30-40% Rule.
Complete guide to calculating pre-money valuation for your Series A funding round. Learn the methods, formulas, and factors investors consider.
Learn how to calculate dilution from SAFE notes and understand the impact on your founder ownership. Includes examples and best practices for early-stage fundraising.
Learn everything about pro-rata rights in startup investing, how they work, why they matter for founders and investors, and how to calculate pro-rata allocation in future funding rounds.
Calculate option pools for Singapore startups. Understand APAC equity norms (10-15%), IRAS tax implications, and employee stock option schemes. Free calculator + templates.
Calculate your Silicon Valley startup's option pool with precision. Understand pre vs post-money allocation, dilution mechanics, and SF standards (15-20% at Series A). Free calculator + templates.
Calculate option pools for NYC startups. Learn East Coast equity benchmarks (16-20%), employee grant standards, and how New York option pools differ from Silicon Valley. Free calculator.
Calculate UK startup option pools with EMI tax advantages. Understand London standards (10-15%), HMRC compliance, and valuation requirements. Free calculator + EMI templates.
Calculate option pools for German startups. Compare ESOP vs VSOP structures, understand Berlin equity norms (12-18%), and navigate German legal requirements. Free calculator.
Use our framework to calculate fair co-founder equity splits based on contributions and commitment.
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