If you're being offered options in an early stage startup you need to ask at a minimum (and any half decent founder should answer): 1. How many shares of the s

If you're being offered options in an early stage startup you need to ask at a minimum (and any half decent founder should answer): 1. How many shares of the same class are in circulation 2. What is the price per share at current company valuation 3. How many shares of other classes are in circulation and whether these come with liquidation preferences 4. If you will be required to exercise your options in the event of leaving the company and, if yes, how long you have to do it 5. If you have the right to transfer your options (and later shares) to a third party. Unusual to have this right (unless you're transferring to immediate family) but good to know if you do have it. 6. Ask to see a copy of the company's articles and/or shareholder agreement (to check how voting rights work, tag along & drag along rights, entitlement to quarterly management accounts, right to first refusal, what power the board has on deciding sales/transfers etc.) That's in addition to being very clear on what the vesting terms are (assuming you are not being given all your options in one go).