The prevailing sentiment here seems to be that in a case like yours, where the developer is clearly part of the founding tripod (business, UI/UX, backend), be p

The prevailing sentiment here seems to be that in a case like yours, where the developer is clearly part of the founding tripod (business, UI/UX, backend), be prepared to treat him like a co-founder if that's what he wants. Which it sounds like he does. If you trust him enough, make him the third co-founder and split the equity evenly.