4 ms·

> You shouldn't care about what other people think is "too much". Except for one situation: if the remaining partners don't believe the company is worth much,

> You shouldn't care about what other people think is "too much". Except for one situation: if the remaining partners don't believe the company is worth much, and you believe it'll be worth a lot, then that's the perfect time to buy THEM out. (Especially if you're having disagreements over strategy, and you believe you have a lot invested in the company.)

bitL 9y ago
They are obviously worth at least $2M and other ones want to continue, and apply some mental tricks to lower OP's share as she is obviously inexperienced/mentally weak (otherwise wouldn't post such a worded article on HN but instead went maximizing her returns). They can anytime offer a buyout (3-5x times what her share is worth right now), but they don't.
- sah2ed 9y ago
  > ... as she is obviously inexperienced/mentally weak Unless you can read mental states from behind an internet comment, there was no need to resort to ad hominem to characterize the OP.
  - bitL 9y ago
    There is absolutely no ad hominem. It's simply a very well known fact that when it comes to money, people turn into sharks and prey on inexperienced or weak, which in our (still) idealistic business is a majority. And the original post radiates insecurity (by default the mindset "I have to give up something as somebody told me to"); somebody has to step in and tell her "please don't be insecure, you have 33%, that's your starting point, don't allow pressure from your partners force you to make a stupid decision".
richmarr 9y ago
> Except for one situation... And the other situations. If the rest of the founding team think you're holding too much; it may well demotivate them or cause them to leave entirely, damaging growth and ultimately your chances of success. If incoming investors think an early investor or departed team member is holding too much equity they may be reluctant to come on board unless that situation is rectified. Thinking about you as an early employee with 16/48 months of vesting, 10% is about right assuming you hit full "good leaver" provisions... but that's a huge proportion of the business to be walking out of the door. I understand your co-founders' frustration. They now need to use the remaining 23% equity to replace you rapidly without losing critical early momentum. Even aside from no longer actively contributing that distraction will reduce the chance of the business succeeding. Considering the gambles taken by all parties I don't think there's a right answer here. I guess I'm curious what you think the actual value of the equity is if you're willing to leave so early.

bitL 9y ago

They are obviously worth at least $2M and other ones want to continue, and apply some mental tricks to lower OP's share as she is obviously inexperienced/mentally weak (otherwise wouldn't post such a worded article on HN but instead went maximizing her returns). They can anytime offer a buyout (3-5x times what her share is worth right now), but they don't.

sah2ed 9y ago
> ... as she is obviously inexperienced/mentally weak Unless you can read mental states from behind an internet comment, there was no need to resort to ad hominem to characterize the OP.
- bitL 9y ago
  There is absolutely no ad hominem. It's simply a very well known fact that when it comes to money, people turn into sharks and prey on inexperienced or weak, which in our (still) idealistic business is a majority. And the original post radiates insecurity (by default the mindset "I have to give up something as somebody told me to"); somebody has to step in and tell her "please don't be insecure, you have 33%, that's your starting point, don't allow pressure from your partners force you to make a stupid decision".

richmarr 9y ago

> Except for one situation... And the other situations. If the rest of the founding team think you're holding too much; it may well demotivate them or cause them to leave entirely, damaging growth and ultimately your chances of success. If incoming investors think an early investor or departed team member is holding too much equity they may be reluctant to come on board unless that situation is rectified. Thinking about you as an early employee with 16/48 months of vesting, 10% is about right assuming you hit full "good leaver" provisions... but that's a huge proportion of the business to be walking out of the door. I understand your co-founders' frustration. They now need to use the remaining 23% equity to replace you rapidly without losing critical early momentum. Even aside from no longer actively contributing that distraction will reduce the chance of the business succeeding. Considering the gambles taken by all parties I don't think there's a right answer here. I guess I'm curious what you think the actual value of the equity is if you're willing to leave so early.