[robertlaing]

You have a number of negotiation points here: - Percentage ownership - Vesting length - Vesting cliff - Hours you expect him to work - Cash salary - Bonus - Title

And some questions to ask yourselves: - How long have you been working on the project before he got involved? - How much ownership in the idea/IP does he have? - Do you all have the same definition of success? (e.g. does he want a long-term business or an acquisition? what does a 'successful exit' look like for you all) - Is this going to be his only job or is he consulting on the side?

When you're all very clear about the above, it will be easier to come to a reasonable agreement. The "What does success look like?" question is the most important, and something that many startup founders are afraid to ask until it's too late.

A 2-year vesting schedule is not insane, but it begs the question of whether the guy thinks he is key to the business. It is certainly something that seed or A-round investors will want to increase if he is vital, and if he's not vital he shouldn't get 24% :)

Good luck.

[VB64]

He was involved as an outsourced contractor very early in the process. He doesn't have any IP.

We all have the same definition of success of the company being a profitable business.

Assuming he goes to three years at least, with 20% equity, and an incentive bonus/deferred salary of around 30k is that fair to us and him, in your opinion?