Can someone please give advice on how to distribute equity over time? If you know someone is worth 25% overtime but want to make sure that they are still there in 3 months, 6 months and upon exit, how do you scale up equity over time? What are some typical check points?

I would start with establishing an options allocation based on market norms and then a market standard vesting schedule. i.e. options typically vest 25% after the first year and then the balance over the next three years monthly.

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What's the minimal amount of money we'll need to spend in marketing our business in the first 6 months and where should we concentrate our efforts?

Answered by Joe Stump – Founder of SimpleGeo.

I wouldn't spend any money marketing your business in the first 6 months. All of that money should be directly focused on iterating your butt off. (more)

What advice do you have for founders closing their first investment?

Answered by Mark Ruddock – Founder, INEA Posted in Money

Let's assume you are at term sheet stage, not at "close" ... some rough thoughts ... make sure you have selected the right investor(s) (this is going to be a long term marr... (more)

Hi Michael. We're a very early stage bootstrapped web & mobile app startup (concept, brand, product, and market development in progress) with 3 non-technical co-founders. W...

Answered by Michael Garrity – Founder, CommunityLend

Hard question to answer because i have no idea how important these folks would be for you but here is a suggestion. Think about how much these guys are worth (ie 100K a ye... (more)

Mark, I am working on a startup in the internet arena and am in the process of working with a few developers on my concept. What tips do you have in finding quality technic...

Answered by Mark MacLeod – Partner, Real Ventures

Depends on whether you want these people to be co-founders. If yes, then no pay until you all can start getting paid. If not, then yes, you need to find some way to pay the... (more)

What are some great resources to learn how to market your business nowadays? I'm a young entrepreneur, who defied his parents and dropped out of school to found a start-up,...

Answered by April Dunford – Product Marketing Expert. Posted in Marketing

If you can get your hands on any of the marketing books coming out of Kellog university, those are great if you want to be a self-educated marketing expert. Otherwise if I... (more)

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