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Many believe that an equal split signifies fairness for all and the majority of founders begin with 50/50 equity splits.
The short answer to "how much equity should a founder keep" is founders should keep at least 50% equity in a startup for as long as possible, while investors get between 20 and 30%. There should also be a 10 to 20% portion set aside for employee stock options and, in some cases, about 5% left in a reserve pool.
One of the most common factors to consider when splitting equity is the relative contribution of each founder, advisor, or employee. This can include things like the time and effort that each one puts into the company, the expertise they bring to the table, and any intellectual property they contribute.
If you started as a solo-founder and have made progress on the business (especially if you've already raised), you should consider a something along the line of an 80/20 split of founder shares. In fact, the range I'm seeing is anywhere from 5-20% for the 2nd co-founder.
There's no correct answer for deciding the equity split among founders. Often, they default to a 50/50 split or another equal distribution to avoid an uncomfortable conversation. It's an issue that can lead to big problems in a company's future if not properly aired. Sometimes a 50/50 split simply doesn't make sense.
One of the most common factors to consider when splitting equity is the relative contribution of each founder, advisor, or employee. This can include things like the time and effort that each one puts into the company, the expertise they bring to the table, and any intellectual property they contribute.
Of ~22% in founders' equity. This pattern matches with the rule of thumb that dictates founders to park no less than 20-30% collectively for themselves at exit (in an ideal world).
Many believe that an equal split signifies fairness for all and the majority of founders begin with 50/50 equity splits.
Equity: In early-stage startups, offering between 1% to 5% equity is common. The exact percentage depends on the COO's expertise and your startup's valuation.