BusinessContributorsIncentives
Phantom Equity And Future Options
Paper value is not cash. Revenue does not automatically equal distribution. All payouts require legal/tax review.
Canonical Early Model
- 2-year vesting.
- 6-month cliff.
- Small initial phantom/future option grant.
- Bigger upside unlocks through measurable contribution.
- Example baseline: 2% phantom/future option.
Upgrade Path
| Level | Example upside |
|---|---|
| Base contributor | 2% base |
| Sustained high contribution | 3% after review |
| APAC lead with real market impact | up to 5% |
| Full-time/cofounder-level risk | higher only with formal company/legal review |
Risk Balance
| Founder risk | Contributor risk |
|---|---|
| vision, identity/tax/legal risk, product ownership, financial risk, infra cost, fundraising burden | contribution time, opportunity cost, regional growth, possible reputation risk |
Cash Reality
Paper value is not cash. Revenue does not automatically equal distribution. All payouts require legal/tax review.