I was shown dreams of Esops and Co-founder promises -> I left my well paying job -> I had to leave this new company as Esops nor co foundership got fructified

Damn 
 That is really rough 
  
 Did you know the team well, or had recently met them? Did they get funded and turn back in this case?

Corporate Strategist

my mistake of not doing proper dd. At that time, I was pretty new to the startup world.

Equity Research

Sounds depressing. At least co foundership must have, that's in the hands of the founders.

Support Specialist

ESOPs are dangled as a carrot and this is the case in most startups. It's dished out discretionarily and honoured even more discretionarily

I have managed ESOPs for companies. Many have come to me saying xyz was promised. The only reason they got what was promised orally if they are still relevant in the plan. If you can still contribute to the future growth. Else nada ; didn't promise; ignore him/her till they leave.  
  
 No founder gives away equity generously. If they are saying that then they are lying or stupid. There's only 100% of equity. Limited resource. So they are very careful in doling it out and they should be.  
  
 What should you do? Get what is pormosed for in writing, in contract immediately. Don't wait. Or keep having leverage/relevance and hope for the best.

Finance Consultant

How many of you had ESOP related promises by founders broken by them ? Could any of you appeal to their better senses and get any money or were you hung out to dry completely ??

Welcome to Indian Startups's Private Community

ESOP related problems

ESOP related problems- Grapevine

Welcome to Office Gossip's Private Community

I have come across early stage startups where the founders try to lowball you on the compensation by painting a very rosy picture of the future and a verbal commitment for offering generous ESOPs. Such commitments are almost never honored :) Have you experienced something similar?

Founders who promise equity to hire

Founder

I will go first -


It’s hectic as hell, but if you are passionate about the problem that specific startup is solving- it is really rewarding and exciting. But that’s just my opinion not everyone feels the same way about crazy work schedules and WLB which early stage startups tend to have . 

Please share your thoughts and experiences!

What do you all think of early stage startups?

Growth Manager

Hello guys,
I would want to know what is the benefit of getting ESOPs in an early stage startup?
The startup has a great team and working on a promising product. 
I have been offered a package with somewhat lower fixed component and somewhat higher ESOPs. Need insightful pointers here. TIA :)

Value of ESOPs in early stage startups?

The ESOP is a bit of a blind bet.  
  
 It's paper money that can get you a windfall if all goes to plan and execution, solution, pricing, market readiness amongst other things, all line up over the next few years.  
  
 I wouldn't take a pay cut in lieu of ESOPs.  Keep the real money real and the paper money as an outside bet.

Sales Manager

Product Manager

Wanted to know and understand the reality behind the terms and conditions that new startups puts while promising ESOPs at the time of joining. 

Please share ur experience so that everyone gets aware.

ESOPs Terms and conditions?

Consultant

Welcome to Product Managers's Private Community

I am sick of PM junta acting so pricey when joining a Series A. Most junta are stuck in their jobs doing boring stuff, and they keep seeking exciting opportunity to arrive. But when it's knocking on the door suddenly everyone wants a 40-50% fixed pay hike and doesnt want risk sharing (say ESOP component higher than fixed). For what!! 

Dude Series A has lesser money that's 1, unlike the cushy companies to these PMs are leaving and then, all of a sudden , I derive my happiness from "intellectual stimulation" or "real work" just vanishes in thin air.
Btw, we are offering like 5-15% hike on their current fixed pay with atleast 1:1 ESOP min (giving more to people who negotiate on ESOPs).

Series A hiring is tough. 🥲

Hiring PMs at series A

Hey everyone, excited to be doing this AMA!

A brief about me, I work currently as a Director of Product at an Indian unicorn startup 

About my career: 
- Did my undergrad from IIT and then masters from an Ivy league school
- Have been in product for almost 10 years now - across 2 Indian unicorn startups and a publicly listed company

Would love to take questions on what it means to be a PM, growing within the role, building your career, and other things :) 

Will be back here at 4 pm and start replying
Shoot away!

AMA 🎙️: Hey all, I am pmsprint, Director of Product Management at a Unicorn in India!

Welcome to Software Engineers's Private Community

Hi everyone, I joined a startup back in May which started in May itself. I wrote the first line of code and it has been the backend work since then and have hired a few interns along the way. 

I took some pay cut to join this startup and i didn't receive any share/ESOPs as well in my offer letter. but whenever i talk to my friends who have worked or are working in these types of companies, ask me to ask for the ESOPs/equity from my founder. 

I did talk about  equity/ESOPs before accepting my offer letter but that time, they said, you will be issued ESOPs later on when we raise some funding. We will make some ESOPs plan when we raise funding. 

I know that our company has only raised friends and family round of amount near to 1cr. 

Now I need advice on.. should i bring up this conversation again with the company's founder ? 
And how much percentage of equity should I be asking..? 

 given that I am giving my 101% daily and leading the backend team.. although i have industry experience of only 3 years but have good academic achievements and has completed graduation in computer science in tier-1 college.

How to ask for ESOPs when you are a founding engineer

Software Engineer

Guys, what are your successful ESOP stories? How much did you made? 
And what did you do with that money?

ESOPs

Software Developer

Welcome to News Discussion's Private Community

2022 has been the year of ESOP value destruction. Lets collect some real instances here. This silent but deadly phenomenon is hardly reported in mainstream media.

ESOP value obliterated

Business Analyst

Where did you work and how much money did you make?

Asking as it looks like a lot of promise of ESOPs and wealth creation has failed employees in this bloodbath slow growth, layoffs, and job changes.

"ESOPs made me rich af"

I have had ESOPS in 2 companies 
#1 - company got acquired ..I got 45 Lacs IN ESOP ...thats 1.5X of my last annualized salary  ( so additional salary for 18 months) 
#2 - Company became unicorn ... I quit and company bought my ESOPs . Got 2 Cr
That is 3X of my annualized salary

Company 1 - I had joined at very early stage ; Company 2 - I joined at mid-stage

ESOP related problems

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