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BubblyNarwhal
BubblyNarwhal
Stealth

ESOP and Salary advise

Work as the only SPM at a seed startup in SaaS. Salary is 45 lpa and 12 lakhs of ESOP over 4 years .

Only PM reporting to the CEO and we have doubled revenue in the last 12 months I have been here and contributing .

I think I got low balled on the ESOP , appraisal discussions are around the corner and I would like to increase the ESOP

What is the an average number ? Have seen the product folks report and 30lps seems to be the right number . Looking for other similar folks to advise

25mo ago
MagicalTaco
MagicalTaco
ITC25mo

At seed stage, it is often okay to ask for 1:1 cash:esop — it’s the norm as well since you’re taking a disproportionate risk by joining something at seed.

Considering that your comp is 45L, there can be an argument that you’re financially covered but you need to put your foot down & mention the improvement you’re bringing in and should get more esops + them paying you a higher comp is a function of them having more disposable cash to pay salaries & not reflective of the reward you should get for taking a risk and joining at a seed stage.

GoofyDumpling
GoofyDumpling
Stealth25mo

Yeah, in very early stage start ups, esops go 1x/2x of base. If you see a bright future of the company, you should ask for more esops

BubblyNarwhal
BubblyNarwhal
Stealth25mo

Thanks , I thought so too but never worked at early stage and had no idea

GoofyDonut
GoofyDonut
Stealth25mo

Yep, definitely low balling on esops. At SPM level, it should be 40% of total compensation, in your case at least 25 over 4 years (with revisions as you progress(

BubblyNarwhal
BubblyNarwhal
Stealth25mo

Thanks, hoping to push for 3X of current . This helps validate what I was thinking

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