Founder equity
Who ownswhat?
Make ownership intentional. Keep the documents, approvals, and cap table aligned.
Talk about your startup
01 / THE PROBLEM
A percentage is not the whole ownership story.
An agreed percentage is only a starting point. The type of equity, payment, vesting, departure provisions, and required approvals all affect what that ownership means. Restricted stock may also raise time-sensitive tax questions.
+02 / COMMON FRICTION
Small gaps.Bigger questions.
01Equity promises without documentation
02Vesting terms left undecided
03Missing issuance approvals
04Cap table and stock records disagree
03 / HOW ETHAN CAN HELP
Understand the business.
Then the documents.
Start with your objective and the documents already in place. Identify the decisions that need attention, discuss practical options, and coordinate the work needed to move forward.
An agreed percentage is only a starting point. The type of equity, payment, vesting, departure provisions, and required approvals all affect what that ownership means. Restricted stock may also raise time-sensitive tax questions.
+04 / WHAT THE SERVICE MAY INCLUDE
The workbehind the next step.
- Founder shares and restricted stock
- Vesting schedules and cliffs
- Stock purchase agreements
- Board approvals
- Dilution and capitalization records
The scope is agreed for each engagement. Some questions may require coordination with tax, employment, or other specialist advisers.
ILLUSTRATIVE OWNERSHIP EXAMPLE
Illustrative only. Actual capitalization depends on the company and financing terms. These stages are separate simplified snapshots, not a recommended allocation.
07 / WHEN YOU MAY NEED THIS
Issuing founder shares?↗Revisiting vesting or ownership?↗+FOUNDER FAQ
Good questions.Clearer next steps.
General information only.
Not legal or tax advice.
01What is founder vesting?
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Vesting ties ownership rights to time or other conditions. Depending on the documents, the company may have a right to repurchase unvested shares if a founder leaves.
02What is an 83(b) election?
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An election under section 83(b) can change the timing of taxation for certain transferred property subject to vesting. The filing window is generally 30 days after the transfer. Prompt individualized tax advice is important; making the election is not always beneficial.
03What is a cap table?
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A capitalization table records the company’s ownership and may model outstanding options and convertible instruments. It should reconcile with signed documents, approvals, and issuance records.
+PEOPLE, OWNERSHIP, POSSIBILITY
Build together.Think ahead.
Clear expectations give founders and growing teams a common starting point.
YOUR NEXT CHAPTER STARTS WITH A CONVERSATION.
Let’s talk about
what you’re building.
Tell Ethan where the company is today
and what needs to happen next.