equity Archives - Startup Economist

The Family and the Wedding Party – Starting a Startup Team

Wednesday, 06 May 2020 by Paul O'Brien

You need to think of EVERYONE at this stage as co-founders and owners OR merely consultants (formally contracted with VERY clear terms, requirements, deliverables, and ownership). Trust me. You do not want to be in a situation where you are committing anything to anyone hired, an agency, or freelance professional – such people either need to be

Published in Startups

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“A VC is asking 6% for acting as an advisor…”

Friday, 27 September 2019 by Paul O'Brien

As a startup mentor, that’s the start of the all too common question from founders trying to figure out if they should part with equity to get someone involved. As a venture partner, that’s a reflection of what too many startups are offered and it’s a turn of the phrase that ranks right up there

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Published in Featured, Raising Capital, Startups

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Your Startup, a CMO, and that Elusive Question of Equity

Tuesday, 28 August 2018 by Paul O'Brien

First let’s establish as fact, a couple of assumptions. This is a key role in your organization, at a distinct stage in a specific type of new company; and as a team member so critical, we need to be on the same page as to our context in working through this question. Early stage =

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Published in Insights / Research, Startups

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How to Determine the Equity to Give Your Startup Team

Monday, 13 July 2015 by Paul O'Brien

The equity granted to your team speaks volumes more than merely being part of the compensation. When building a committed, invested, passionate team, something which should be your paramount priority as a founder, nothing matters more than HOW you accomplish this. Is your team comprised of investors or employees? I want you to first

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Published in Startups

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Startup Founders Incentivize Teams with Equity

Tuesday, 09 December 2014 by Paul O'Brien

I’ve been pulled into an important question with a trouble degree of frequency lately; that is, “Why can’t I find, retain, and motivate my team?” Troubling, as not only does it reveal a problem entrepreneurs are having with talent but more so, because entrepreneurs even have to ask the question without knowing the answer. Why can’t

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Published in Startups

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