CTO Hire Early Stage Hiring Vesting 
SoCal CTO
SEPTEMBER 27, 2011
I was asked by a reader how much equity he should give out to early employees and to service providers in a very early stage startup. Founders vs. Early Employees To help with this discussion, let me start with a definition of "early employee." I'll get to service providers in a later post.
The Next Web
OCTOBER 7, 2013
They were referring to non-founder engineers, most commonly the first hire for technology businesses. However, at the very early stage, they are taking as much risk with their future as the founders. Every time a startup raises capital, all common shareholders are diluted. Engineer #1? How do you feel about that number?
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David Teten
OCTOBER 1, 2015
I recently joined CoVenture , an early-stage venture capital firm that develops products and invests cash in exchange for equity. I did so, in part, because I deeply believe your premise: technical talent is harder to find than capital. 5% vest at clickable prototype. 5% vest at beta launch. 5% launch of v1.
Both Sides of the Table
MAY 5, 2011
Your highest priority right now is hiring the 1 or 2 people that are going to join your company and make a difference. There’s you and your killer CTO co-founder. Chris Devore & Andy Sack have created Founder’s Coop with the goal of funding, incubating & launching more early-stage ventures in Seattle.
www.metamorphblog.com
OCTOBER 23, 2010
We hired three guys from that batch and paid them in iPhones. Treat everyone you hire like a co-founder. It builds trust and earns buy-in from the people you hire. When you’re hiring folks, don’t promise equity upfront. Tiny, contracting market. Vest, young man. That is what gets people excited.
www.quora.com
SEPTEMBER 22, 2011
Early employees are paid a salary from day 1, don't have to have the reputation/connections to raise money, take on much less risk, and often have much more information about the company (team so far, financials, product traction/progress) when they decide to join than the founders do when they found the company. Founder or employee?
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