Founder answers
How much equity should you give a cofounder?
Short answer
There’s no formula, but the split should survive one question: who is taking the real, full-time risk for the next four years? Equal splits are often right; whatever you choose, decide it on purpose, write it down, and pair it with vesting so the split tracks work actually done.
Decide on purpose, not by feeling
Most founder fall-outs trace back to a split decided quickly, before any work. Weigh full-time commitment, who started, capital at risk, and critical skills — and make the reasoning explicit.
Always pair it with vesting
A split only reflects intentions; vesting makes it reflect work done. With a 4-year vest and 1-year cliff, a cofounder who leaves early doesn’t walk away with a large unearned stake.
Common questions
Is an equal cofounder split a good idea?
Often yes, when risk and commitment are genuinely symmetric — but pair it with vesting so it tracks work done.
Should the idea-haver get more equity?
Rarely much more — execution over years matters far more than having the idea. Reward the work that follows.
Stop reading, start building — the lesson lets you model this with your own numbers.
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