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).
Founders typically give up 20-40% of their company's equity in a seed or series A financing. But this number could be much higher (or lower) depending on a number of factors that we will discuss shortly. “How much equity should we sell to investors for our seed or series A round?”
Without knowing the specifics (how many years of experience, what kind of industry connects & their worth, current split between founders and other stake holders etc), it is difficult to estimate the equity share. Depending on the above, a share anywhere between 10-20% should be good enough.
Ing to the Founder Institute, advisors generally receive between 0.15% to 1% of a company's equity, vested over a period of 2-3 years. Carta found the median advisor grant to be 0.24%, with 70% of advisor grants less than 0.5% of the company.
Equity agreements are a cornerstone for startups, providing a solid foundation for their business endeavors while ensuring fairness and clarity in equity distribution. Understanding the legal aspects and best practices of equity agreements is crucial for the long-term success and stability of startups.
Without knowing the specifics (how many years of experience, what kind of industry connects & their worth, current split between founders and other stake holders etc), it is difficult to estimate the equity share. Depending on the above, a share anywhere between 10-20% should be good enough.
On average, startups are reserving a 13% to 20% equity pool for employees. This is important for startups to consider before they pursue series funding or other investments, in which they may be offering percentages of equity to investors.
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.
Angel and venture capital investors are great, but they must not take more shares than you're willing to give up. On average, founders offer 10-20% of their equity during a seed round. You should always avoid offering over 25% during this stage. As you progress beyond this stage, you will have less equity to offer.