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Startup Percolator

The blog posts on Startup Percolator cover a wide range of topics essential for entrepreneurs and startups.

March 15, 2022 Equity Compensation

The Human Capitalist Series P.2: Stock Options

Stock options are the most common form of equity incentive for early-stage startups.

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March 15, 2022 Equity Compensation

The Human Capitalist Series P.3: How Are Stock Options Taxed, and Which Are Better, Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options?

The U.S. federal taxation of stock options for U.S. taxpayers depends on whether the options are classified as incentive stock options (ISOs) or nonstatutory stock options (NSOs).

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March 15, 2022 Equity Compensation

The Human Capitalist Series P.4: Restricted Stock Awards

A stock purchase award (also known simply as "restricted stock") is the sale of a share of stock in exchange for an actual cash payment (or transfer of property with a fair market value that equals the purchase price and which property is not already the company's).

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March 15, 2022 Equity Compensation

The Human Capitalist Series P.5: Stock Bonus Awards

A stock bonus is the issuance of a share of stock without payment of any purchase price.

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March 15, 2022 Equity Compensation

The Human Capitalist Series P.6: Restricted Stock Units

Restricted stock units (RSUs) are rights to acquire stock without paying an exercise or purchase price.

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March 15, 2022 Equity Compensation

The Human Capitalist Series P.7: When Would A Company Use Stock Awards Instead of Stock Options?

We often are asked when a company would use "full value" stock awards (stock purchase, stock bonus, or RSUs) rather than stock options.

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March 15, 2022 Equity Compensation

The Human Capitalist Series P.8: Q&A on Section 409A Valuations

Internal Code Section 409A attempts to limit and regulate the use of "deferred compensation"—that is, the legally binding right to receive compensation in a future year, after it is no longer subject to a substantial risk of being forfeited by the recipient.

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March 15, 2022 Equity Compensation

The Human Capitalist Series P.9: Post-Employment Exercise Periods for Stock Options

Holders of stock options must exercise their vested options within a certain predefined time period after they cease providing services to the company.

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