The Equidam Podcast

Equidam

The Equidam podcast is co-hosted by Daniel Faloppa (Equidam's CEO) and Dan Gray (Equidam's Head of Marketing), and focuses on startup fundraising trends around the world, with a particular focus on valuation for early stage companies.

  1. Employee Stock Options 101: ESOP and Cap Table Wisdom from the Founders of EquityPeople

    22/11/2024

    Employee Stock Options 101: ESOP and Cap Table Wisdom from the Founders of EquityPeople

    In this episode, we dive into the complexities of equity stock compensation for startup employees, with Špela Prijon and Tamas Varkonyi — the Co-Founders of EquityPeople. We run through a range of topics related to ESOPs and cap table management, including the importance of aligning equity incentives with company goals, the challenges of determining fair equity distribution, and the common pitfalls that founders encounter. We also cover some current trends in equity compensation across different regions, underscoring the necessity for founders to be informed and proactive in their approach to equity management. 00:55 The Evolution of Equity Compensation 02:33 The Role of Equity in Startups 05:13 Challenges in Implementing Equity Strategies 07:57 Investor Influence on Equity Distribution 10:49 Taxation Issues with Equity Compensation 13:36 Setting Standards for Equity Practices 16:25 Determining Fair Equity Distribution 18:55 The Future of Equity Compensation 34:17 Pricing Equity and Risk Management 35:56 The Evolution of Equity Perspectives 37:45 Understanding Pool Sizes and Equity Allocation 39:53 Navigating Equity Topping Up Strategies 42:57 Benchmarking Equity: Best Practices and Pitfalls 45:15 The Role of Benchmarking in Equity Planning 47:45 Marketing Equity Schemes Effectively 50:29 The Importance of Transparency in Equity Disclosure 52:51 Common Mistakes in Equity Management 54:13 The Need for Structured Grant Systems 01:00:58 Trends in Equity Compensation and Market Dynamics

    1h6min
  2. SAFE Caps & Discounts: Creating simpler and more transparent instruments

    09/08/2024

    SAFE Caps & Discounts: Creating simpler and more transparent instruments

    In this conversation, Daniel and Dan discuss the current state of the early-stage financing ecosystem, focusing on SAFEs (Simple Agreements for Future Equity) and convertible notes. They explore the evolution of SAFEs and how they have become the dominant form of early-stage fundraising. They also discuss the differences between SAFEs and convertible notes, the challenges of setting caps and discounts, and the potential problems with stacking multiple SAFEs. The conversation highlights the need for standardization and consensus in the industry. In this conversation, Daniel and Dan discuss the biases and complexities surrounding convertible notes and the need for a more thoughtful approach. They explore the different usages of convertibles, including bridging the gap between funding rounds, and the challenges of setting caps and discounts. They propose a first principles approach to determine the discount, tying it to the required ROI for venture capital. They also discuss the determination of the cap based on the optimistic valuation of the company. Overall, they advocate for a shift towards simpler and more transparent instruments that align with the needs of both founders and investors. SAFEs have become the dominant form of early-stage fundraising, with most seed rounds and pre-seed rounds using SAFEs. The use of SAFEs has evolved over time, with companies now raising multiple SAFEs at different caps. There is a lack of consensus on how to set caps and discounts for SAFEs, leading to confusion and potential issues. The terms of SAFEs can be complex and may not align with the original intention of simplifying early-stage fundraising. There is a need for standardization and clear guidelines in the industry to ensure fairness and transparency. There is a bias towards actual news and data in the startup ecosystem, which can lead to misconceptions and surprises when it comes to average conversion times and expectations for convertible notes. Convertible notes can be used to bridge the gap between funding rounds, providing a short-term solution for startups in need of additional capital before a Series A round. Setting caps and discounts for convertibles can be challenging, especially in cases of high uncertainty or deep tech startups. A first principles approach, tying the discount to the required ROI for venture capital, can provide a more transparent and fair solution. Determining the cap for a convertible can be based on the optimistic valuation of the company, rooted in the reality of the business but accounting for future growth. Simpler and more transparent instruments, such as convertibles with discounts and caps based on first principles, can benefit both founders and investors by aligning incentives and reducing negotiation complexity. The referenced interview with Kate Shillo Beardsley of Hannah Grey VC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmTXBbC0glc

    1h12min

Sobre

The Equidam podcast is co-hosted by Daniel Faloppa (Equidam's CEO) and Dan Gray (Equidam's Head of Marketing), and focuses on startup fundraising trends around the world, with a particular focus on valuation for early stage companies.