Startups are far more founder-friendly than they used to be (thanks in part to YC’s contributions) but we have a ways to go to make them more employee-friendly too.
To call out the employee-friendly equity policies that OP has instituted at his new startup:
> Our employee option pool is 20% which is double the average
> We have a 3-month equity cliff which is 9 months sooner than the average.
> We allow employees to exercise options up to 10 years after they leave instead of 90 days.
> Our equity packages vest over 3 years instead of the industry standard 4-year period.
> … only taking liquidity if I can also offer it to employees as well.
The 10-year exercise window is especially noteworthy since the cost to exercise options can be substantial.
To call out the employee-friendly equity policies that OP has instituted at his new startup:
> Our employee option pool is 20% which is double the average
> We have a 3-month equity cliff which is 9 months sooner than the average.
> We allow employees to exercise options up to 10 years after they leave instead of 90 days.
> Our equity packages vest over 3 years instead of the industry standard 4-year period.
> … only taking liquidity if I can also offer it to employees as well.
The 10-year exercise window is especially noteworthy since the cost to exercise options can be substantial.