[nickh]

The CEO (who had the idea and wrote the business plan) has validated the idea in the market. Also, we have a direct, funded competitor now, which has also validated the idea, and one of our revenue streams.

So the idea is valid and lucrative. I'm just not sure how much equity should be attributed to that.

[trevelyan]

Your CEO hasn't validated anything. Your competition has, and if you aren't giving them equity it isn't clear why this guy deserves anything. Factor in that the idea isn't original and I don't see what value is being provided here.