Evaluate startup and established-company trade-offs
Compare cash runway, role mandate and uncertain upside separately.
Prepare your response
Compare cash runway, role mandate and uncertain upside separately.
Original teaching material. All numerical examples are hypothetical, not live market benchmarks. Adapt scripts to your actual situation; no messages are sent from this course.
Practice and self-review
List ten startup equity/role questions and classify which affect cash, upside or mandate.
Reveal worked answer guidance
Keep unanswered terms visible. A scenario worksheet supports discussion but cannot establish a fair valuation or predict an exit.
Check your response for accurate units, real evidence, a prioritized ask, a genuine alternative and a clear next step.
Sources and scope
Investor.gov: Private placements investor bulletin ↗ · Reference checked 2026-10-18
US securities reference used for general private-security liquidity and information risks; it does not determine the law governing an individual award.
Startup India: Employee stock options for startups ↗ · Reference checked 2026-10-18
India-focused option terminology and diligence context. Consult current governing documents and local advice for actual tax or legal treatment; this course calculates no taxes.
This course teaches preparation and communication. It provides no live pay ranges, employer guarantees, tax calculations or personalized legal/investment advice. Governing documents and local rules determine actual award and employment terms.
List ten startup equity/role questions and classify which affect cash, upside or mandate.
Your negotiation draft
Separate offer facts from assumptions, state a truthful prioritized ask, and define your next step. Save your draft before comparing it with the worked guidance.
Self-review checklist
Self-guided practice. Automated AI feedback and code execution are not connected.