Winter 2019 Newsletter - Stock Option Counsel® - Startup Offer Letter? The Equity Issues Hidden Between the Lines
Attorney Mary Russell counsels individuals on startup equity, including:
You are welcome to contact her at (650) 326-3412 or at info@stockoptioncounsel.com.
Hello Startup Community!
If you have an Offer Letter from a startup, you may notice that it’s light on information about stock options or other equity. See this new post on the Stock Option Counsel Blog to learn the key issues hidden between the lines. It covers:
Grant Timing. The exercise price is not negotiable, but you will want to follow up after your start date to be sure that the board grants the options promptly. Delays are common and can increase the exercise price dramatically and reduce the value of your stock options.
Protection for Unvested Shares. The standard vesting schedule will not protect unvested shares in an acquisition. Consider negotiating for double trigger acceleration upon change of control.
Clawbacks and Other Red Flags. The equity incentive plan and stock option agreement are usually not provided with the Offer Letter. However, it makes sense to request and review those documents before signing the Offer Letter to identify clawbacks for vested shares or any other red flag terms
Tax Structure. The right tax structure will balance your interests in total value, low tax rates, tax deferral, limited tax risks and investment deferral.
You can see the full post on the Stock Option Counsel Blog, along with other great information on startup equity negotiations. Happy reading.
Stock Option Counsel, P.C. - Legal Services for Individuals. Thank you for your enthusiasm for my practice and for the Stock Option Counsel Blog! I will continue to send quarterly updates on important topics in the market for startup equity for individual founders, executives and employees. Please keep in touch.
Best,
Mary
Mary Russell | Attorney and Founder
Stock Option Counsel, P.C. | Legal Services for Individuals
Attorney Mary Russell counsels individuals on startup equity, including:
You are welcome to contact her at (650) 326-3412 or at info@stockoptioncounsel.com.
Repurchase Rights are "Horrible" for Employees
Attorney Mary Russell counsels individuals on startup equity, including:
You are welcome to contact her at (650) 326-3412 or at info@stockoptioncounsel.com.
“As an aside, some companies now write in a repurchase right on vested shares at the current common price when an employee leaves. It’s fine if the company wants to offer to repurchase the shares, but it’s horrible for the company to be able to demand this.”
What can you do about it? Ask before you join:
“Can the company take back my vested shares?”
For more from Sam Altman, see his post, Employee Equity. For more on repurchase rights on vested shares, see Clawbacks for Startup Stock - Can I Keep What I think I Own? For more on questions to ask to make sure you have true startup equity, see our post, Startup Equity Standards - A Guide for Employees.
Attorney Mary Russell counsels individuals on startup equity, including:
You are welcome to contact her at (650) 326-3412 or at info@stockoptioncounsel.com.