The definition of startups is getting broader, and as founder-friendly VCs are getting born, it might be time to think beyond equity.
Equity is loved and hated. For most startups, it is a substantial part of the compensation program and it’s a form of compensation that has made many early stage employees rich before.
With about 90% of startups failing, it can also be one of the most worthless / riskiest forms of compensation, so not everyone is open for it.
Even more than that, as the definition of startup is getting broader, there are multiple reasons why a startup might not want to give away equity.
Not only that, but giving equity in a successful business is also not a reward for loyalty or important work - it’s a reward for risk takers and people who can afford it. So employee #3, a student straight out of college, might not see any reward at an exit vs. employee #345 who is living off savings just got another payout.
More and more companies are therefore looking into profit sharing as a way to reward loyalty and growth. Some of my favourite companies, such as Basecamp and Buffer, recently announced their Profit sharing programs.
Happy to share that to end 2018, Buffer is doing a profit share with our team of $394,997. We're also committing to doing charitable contributions matching 20% of this amount, so $78,999.
— Joel Gascoigne (@joelgascoigne) December 17, 2018
Thread with details around our methodology for profit share and charitable contributions 👇
Profit sharing is an amazing way to reward employees:
But what if there is an exit? Profit sharing can also include that, e.g. in form of a percentage of the company that is distributed amongst all employees based on loyalty. Loyalty gets rewarded, employees are happy, founders are happy (because they get to keep a larger part of their own company!)
Sharing is caring! And I’m super excited that these new ways of rewarding employee loyalty exist!