Equity & cap table guides.
2815 plain-English guides on stock options, vesting, 409A valuations, SAFEs, and cap table basics — written for the specific person asking, not a generic definition.
What is a Seed Round
What a seed round means for your startup's cap table, why seed funding definition matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
What is a Venture Capitalist
What a venture capitalist means for your startup's cap table, why what is a venture capitalist? guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity.
How Do Stock Options Work
What stock options work means for your startup's cap table, why stock option basics matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
Preferred Stock vs. Common Stock
What preferred stock vs common stock means for your startup's cap table, why common vs preferred stock rights matters, and how Lovie keeps formation.
Common Stock vs. Preferred Stock
What common stock vs preferred stock means for your startup's cap table, why common stock vs preferred stock guide matters, and how Lovie keeps.
What is an Advisory Share
What an advisory share means for your startup's cap table, why advisor equity matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
What is a Stock Warrant
What a stock warrant means for your startup's cap table, why warrant definition matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
What is an 83b Election
What an 83b election means for your startup's cap table, why 83b election deadline matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
What Does it Mean to Exercise Stock Options
What what does it mean to exercise stock options means for your startup's cap table, why what does it mean to exercise stock options matters, and how.
First-time foundersWhat Is a 409A Valuation — and When Do You Need One?
A 409A valuation sets your strike price for option grants. Here's what it is and the exact events that legally require you to get a new one.
What is a Special Purpose Vehicle
What a special purpose vehicle means for your startup's cap table, why what is a special purpose vehicle guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation.
What is Dilution in Stocks
What dilution in stocks means for your startup's cap table, why stock dilution calculator matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
What is a Liquidity Event
What a liquidity event means for your startup's cap table, why what is a liquidity event guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in.
What is Sbc in Finance
What sbc in finance means for your startup's cap table, why stock-based compensation definition matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in.
Employee Stock Option Management Software
What employee stock option management software means for your startup's cap table, why employee stock option management software matters, and how Lovie.
Best Cap Table Management Software
What best cap table management software means for your startup's cap table, why cap table software comparison matters, and how Lovie keeps formation.
Should I Exercise My Stock Options
What should i exercise my stock options means for your startup's cap table, why stock option exercise decision matters, and how Lovie keeps formation.
What Does Exercise Stock Options Mean
What what does exercise stock options mean means for your startup's cap table, why what does exercise stock options mean matters, and how Lovie keeps.
Founders comparing 409A providers on priceHow Much Does a 409A Valuation Actually Cost?
409A valuations range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Here's what actually drives the price, so you can compare providers fairly.
Cap Table Software for Startups
What cap table software for startups means for your startup's cap table, why best cap table tool startups matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and.
Founders designing their option poolNSO vs. ISO Stock Options: Which Should Your Company Grant?
Deciding between NSOs and ISOs for your option pool? Here's how founders choose grant types before hiring, and how Lovie sets the pool up correctly.
Founders and employees confused by the terminology409A Valuation vs. Fair Market Value: They're Not the Same Thing
A 409A valuation isn't the same thing as fair market value — one is the process, the other is the result. Here's exactly how they relate.
Cap Table Management for Startups
What cap table management for startups means for your startup's cap table, why cap table management for startups matters, and how Lovie keeps formation.
A new employee who just got an offer letterWhat Does "Vested" Mean for My Stock?
Just got an offer letter with 'vested' stock language? Here's what it actually means for you, in plain English, before you sign anything.
Founders on a funding round deadlineHow Long Does a 409A Valuation Actually Take?
Closing a round soon? A standard 409A takes one to two weeks — here's how to avoid it becoming the thing that delays your close.
Free Cap Table Management Software
What free cap table management software means for your startup's cap table, why free cap table spreadsheet matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and.
Pre Money vs. Post Money Safe
What pre money vs post money safe means for your startup's cap table, why pre-money safe definition matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity.
Employees reading an offer letterWhat Does ISO vs. NSO Mean on My Offer Letter?
Your offer letter says ISO or NSO — here's what that means for your taxes at exercise and at sale, explained for the person receiving the grant.
What Are Pro Rata Rights
What pro rata rights means for your startup's cap table, why what are pro rata rights guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
Advisors, consultants, and board membersWhy Am I Only Being Offered NSOs, Not ISOs?
If you're an advisor or contractor and only offered NSOs, here's the legal reason — and what it means for the equity you were promised.
Someone trying to calculate exactly what's vested on a specific dateHow Does a Vesting Schedule Actually Work?
Trying to calculate what's vested on a specific date? Here's how a standard 4-year schedule with a 1-year cliff actually plays out, month by month.
What is a Tear Sheet
What a tear sheet means for your startup's cap table, why tear sheet definition matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
How Many Funding Rounds Before Ipo
What how many funding rounds before ipo means for your startup's cap table, why how many funding rounds before ipo guide matters, and how Lovie keeps.
An employee at the actual moment shares vestWhat Actually Happens the Day Your Stock Vests?
Your stock just vested — here's what actually happens next, and whether it's a taxable event, depending on whether you hold options or RSUs.
Founders designing vesting schedules for their teamDesigning Your Company's Vesting Schedule
Setting vesting terms for your team? Here's why most startups default to 4 years with a 1-year cliff, and when it makes sense to deviate.
Finance and HR ops teamsISO vs. NSO: What Finance and HR Ops Actually Have to File
Running payroll or the cap table? Here's exactly what ISO and NSO grants require you to file, withhold, and record — no tax theory, just the paperwork.
Employees who are leaving, or have just left, a companyYou Left the Company — How Long Do You Have to Exercise?
Just left your job? ISOs and NSOs have different exercise deadlines after you go. Here's the 90-day rule and what happens if you miss it.
What is an Equity Plan
What an equity plan means for your startup's cap table, why equity compensation plan matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
Post-money Valuation Cap
What post-money valuation cap means for your startup's cap table, why post-money valuation cap guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity.
Advisors and non-employee board membersHow Vesting Works for Advisors and Board Members
Advisor and board vesting doesn't follow the standard 4-year employee schedule. Here's how it typically differs, and what to negotiate for.
What is an Option Pool
What an option pool means for your startup's cap table, why what is an option pool guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
What is Rule 144 Date
What rule 144 date means for your startup's cap table, why what is rule 144 date guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
Where to Send 83(b) Election
What to send 83(b) election means for your startup's cap table, why where to send 83(b) election guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and.
Where to Send 83b Election
What to send 83b election means for your startup's cap table, why where to send 83b election matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
Rounds of Funding for Startups
What rounds of funding for startups means for your startup's cap table, why rounds of funding for startups guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation.
Employees facing an acquisition or terminationWhat Does "Accelerated Vesting" Mean for You?
Your company is being acquired, or you were let go — here's what 'accelerated vesting' means, and the single vs. double trigger difference.
How Do Shares Get Diluted
What shares get diluted means for your startup's cap table, why how do shares get diluted guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in.
Employees at a company going through an acquisition or IPOWhat Happens to Your ISOs vs. NSOs in an Acquisition or IPO?
Your company is being acquired or going public — here's what that means for your ISOs vs NSOs, and the AMT risk that catches people off guard.