How do I know if my startup equity offer is good?

Benchmark your equity by its potential value relative to your salary. A grant whose reasonable-exit value is 1× or more of your annual salary is strong for a mid-stage startup; 0.5–1× is typical; under 0.1× is light. Compare your ownership percentage to benchmarks for your role and stage: early-stage engineer grants are often 0.1–0.5% of the company, Series A around 0.05–0.25%, and later stages smaller.

What should I negotiate in a startup offer?

Ask for roughly 20% more equity than offered (citing comparable grants for your level and stage), request a refresh grant after your first year, and negotiate base salary too. Founders expect negotiation and usually have room. Always get any change in writing.

How is the offer value calculated?

Your equity's potential value is the spread between the exit share price and your strike price, times your shares, after a dilution haircut for future funding rounds. Your strike and the current 409A valuation are in your offer letter or equity agreement.

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Is your startup offer actually good?

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Your offer

Found in your offer letter or equity agreement. All math runs in your browser — nothing is stored.

Your level

Company stage

Annual base salary ($)

Options (shares) granted

Strike (exercise) price / share

Current value (409A) / share

Your ownership % (optional) Shares ÷ total shares outstanding × 100. Skip if unknown.

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