Here is the real piece of advice: Get a qualified opinion from someone experienced in equity splits (VC, lawyer, etc.) who has no vested interest. Now for my

Here is the real piece of advice: Get a qualified opinion from someone experienced in equity splits (VC, lawyer, etc.) who has no vested interest. Now for my drivel: Don't split the startup at all right now. The golden rule (IMO) is to use stock options (or basically, create vested interests). The truth is, you could end up the so-called "dick" that leaves the company pre-maturely, so be equitable in all your tradings and make everyone vested (with some clauses of job review, etc - which is why you need a qualified opinion on this) so that the startup has some structural longevity. PS. If you think sales is hard, watch that TV show about the guy in the 80s cloning an IBM and then trying to peddle laptops. Sales is a tough (and sometimes dirty) game and you should probably appreciate your Sales guy more (especially if he is a hustler).