Research from Harvard Business School professors also shows that investors are less likely to invest in startups with a flat split. Dividing equity equally may signal that the co-founders aren't willing negotiators or that they're not prepared to risk conflict or disagreement to resolve important issues.
Many believe that an equal split signifies fairness for all and the majority of founders begin with 50/50 equity splits.
When launching a startup, founders have to decide how many shares to issue at incorporation. While most startups authorize 10 million shares, the number of shares issued to founders will depend on factors such as the size of the employee pool, the need for additional reserves and the number of founders.
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.
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.
Different ways to split equity among cofounders Equal splits. Weighted contributions. Dynamic or adjustable equity. Performance-based vesting. Role-based splits. Hybrid models. Points-based system. Prenegotiated buy/sell agreements.
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.
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.
Generally, the choices are to either simply go for an equal equity divide or opt for a weighted split, however there is no definitive right way to proceed. Often it may depends on factors like the level of commitment, expertize or business experience etc of the parties involved.