1-3% equity is good if it comes with a somewhat standard salary, but if you're significantly below market rate I would say 5-15% is also a reasonable amount. That depends strongly on how much they raised and if they have any revenue yet without you.
As a rule of thumb a non-founder CEO joining an early stage startup (that has been running less than a year) would receive 7-10% equity. Other C-level execs would receive 1-5% equity that vests over time (usually 4 years).
An equity agreement is like a partnership agreement between at least two people to run a venture jointly. An equity agreement binds each partner to each other and makes them personally liable for business debts. When two partners sign the equity agreement, each partner is responsible for each other's actions.
In summary, 1% equity can be a good offer if the startup has strong potential, your role is significant, and the overall compensation package is competitive. However, it could also be seen as low depending on the context. It's essential to assess all these factors before making a decision.
Once you've determined that it's the right time to raise funds, it's time to decide how much to raise. The amount of funding you should seek is closely tied to your startup's specific needs, growth plans, and current stage. A common rule of thumb is to raise enough capital to give your startup 12-18 months of runway.
Startup equity describes ownership of a company, typically expressed as a percentage of shares of stock. How does owning equity in a startup work? On day one, founders own 100%. As the company grows, equity is often exchanged for funding or used to attract employees, leading to shared ownership.
It takes about 7% equity for approx. $100-120K of funding. Another known accelerator, 500 Startups invest $125k in exchange for 5%. Techstars takes 7-10% equity in your company in return for $118,000 seed investment, intensive mentorship, and networking.
Kevin Jurovich, a seasoned startup founder, recently discussed how he manages ESOPs in his companies. He suggests allocating around 10% of the company's equity to the first 10 employees and emphasizes the importance of financial success for early those team members.
It includes shares that represent a percentage of that ownership, and the amount of stock that each shareholder owns can vary. For example, if your company has a total of 100 shares, each share is worth one percent ownership in the business.
In summary, 1% equity can be a good offer if the startup has strong potential, your role is significant, and the overall compensation package is competitive. However, it could also be seen as low depending on the context. It's essential to assess all these factors before making a decision.