[codingdave]

If you have no sales yet, and no engineers, then the problems of how to offer equity are smaller than convincing an engineer to take on the work. We have no shortage of people offering us projects to work on. I've been offered 50% equity from people in situations like yours, and still turned projects down because either the idea or the founder simply wasn't compelling.

You sound like you need a co-founder, not a part-time equity-based engineer. And at that point, the legal logistics of figuring out the equity are something you can pursue together.

[semi-nontechncl]

I was sort of thinking of these engineers as co-founders. But maybe it would be better just to have a single co-founder. Would you give them 50% of the company, but have that vest over time? At say 10% per year over five years?

[masonhensley]

Higher end of equity - yes. Vesting - yes, but 4 years.

Also, not a lawyer, but I believe there is a minimum wage thing in California. I think It's mentioned in this startup School lesson (~9 minutes in):

- Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBC16jhiwak&feature=emb_titl... - Transcript: https://jotengine.com/transcriptions/NDLakO9K0GVmyY6d8B1uAQ