StartupsNov 16, 2019
UberHvWK68

Series C startup equity

What's a reasonable amount of equity for a SWE at a Series C startup? Is 0.15% good? I have 9 yoe. Valuation between 70-80mil. Most recent raise was in 2019, total funding raised from all rounds is around 40mil. Looking to IPO in 1-2 years. 60-70 employees. Coming from Uber, the value of the equity seems pretty low but I figured maybe Uber is an outlier and I can't value startup equity the same way.

Add a comment
Airbnb eUds59 Nov 16, 2019

Valuation of the startup please

Uber HvWK68 OP Nov 16, 2019

Updated post

Deloitte kqb291 Nov 16, 2019

How and when does this equity become actual money for you?

Deloitte kqb291 Nov 16, 2019

I never understood this...

Uber HvWK68 OP Nov 16, 2019

Updated post

New
m349830 Nov 16, 2019

Depends on the most recent raise and the numbers of employees. If it's well funded, growing and has 200 employees, hope you get one basis point. If they are offering you .15% that seems like a ton for a company that raised a C round. They should be looking to exit by or before you become fully vested.

Uber HvWK68 OP Nov 16, 2019

Updated post

New
m349830 Nov 16, 2019

Seems fair. They're aiming to be a unicorn so that stock will need to 10 for the investors to be really happy. But based on the raise, they will probably need to double their valuation in a liquidity event before you see any cash.

New
excelll Nov 16, 2019

With a valuation of 70-80 mil, I doubt they will go IPO in next few years unless the company grows exponentially and is a rocket ship. With 40 mil raised money, the valuation doesn’t seem attractive. Ideally before IPO, there is a path to profitability and self sustainability. Is it a b2c or b2b product?

Microsoft : 🐧 Nov 16, 2019

This, don't assume IPO, even in the long run.

Uber HvWK68 OP Nov 16, 2019

B2B, cash flow positive from subscription growth but not quite profitable.

Nutanix 🤡 Joker Nov 17, 2019

Not gonna IPO at this low valuation. What’s their QoQ revenue growth?

Facebook yolosamba Nov 19, 2019

Feels kinda lowish, only 120k of options.

Uber HvWK68 OP Nov 19, 2019

Yep. Not even counting the cost to exercise. If the company grows 5-10x then the equity will be good, and I can see that. But even then it will just be "competitive" against a more established company or unicorn, not a lot better. So there's a lot of downside (if the company does not 5-10x), but the upside is unlikely to beat joining a bigger company. That's why I'm asking here if this is normal.

Airbnb fKdq61 Nov 19, 2019

Raised 40M for a valuation of 70-80M? That must be a desperate attempt to survive. Stay away

Google recsys Oct 30, 2020

This. Very suspicious.

Google leMeBoo May 21, 2021

I think the author missed a 0 in the valuation ;)

Carbon kubernutty Apr 9, 2021

This startup is clearly giving away too much equity to investors. Shows weak business model. Avoid IMO.

Google leMeBoo May 21, 2021

.15 is too high for Series C. This percentage is usually for series A or Series B if headcount is less than 100