Show HN: Startup Equity Adventure Game • Hacker News Board

nerdsniper wrote: post #11

Add the effects of "preferred overhang" on employee payouts for various different exit outcomes like acquisitions. Usually only founders and investors with "preferred shares" see anything and those with common stock (employees) see theirs get completely eaten by the overhang.

Depends on the outcome.

If it's a positive outcome, then preference has no role.

This game models good outcomes, with warnings for things like down rounds

Re: Show HN: Startup Equity Adventure Game

#24

Post by iliabara » Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 4:12 AM UTC

fermatf wrote: post #18

Useful! I like playing such games where u simulate something from real world so you get playground to do mistakes.

Thanks! :)

Re: Show HN: Startup Equity Adventure Game

#25

Post by iliabara » Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 4:12 AM UTC

opengrass wrote: post #9

Thank you for python anywhere, I will add that to my chasm of free hosters.

Ya for sure, and even paid account is very cheap, few dollars a month

Re: Show HN: Startup Equity Adventure Game

#26

Post by iliabara » Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 4:13 AM UTC

withinboredom wrote: post #5

jagged-chisel wrote: post #4

Yeah, that’s not how my company operates. I’m maintaining my majority share by splitting only. The VCs can go along, or they can hope their next investment is the unicorn.

Yeah, also seems very US-centric with "outstanding shares". Other countries don't allow you to have outstanding shares. Also, where is the "reinvest" option during series rounds. Like, what founder also doesn't reinvest to keep their equity during fund raising?

This is US centric, it's mentioned on the first page, along with the notes and links.

Reinvesting is a minority, edge case. I can't think of a single VC company in the Bay area that can have founders reinvest shares and not cause issues raising.

Re: Show HN: Startup Equity Adventure Game

#27

Post by iliabara » Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 4:14 AM UTC

jiveturkey wrote: post #8

so many erroneous statements in this game. also it's not much of a "game", is it.

Ya, I'd appreciate pointers if there are errors :)

Re: Show HN: Startup Equity Adventure Game

#28

Post by iliabara » Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 4:51 AM UTC

tailscaler2026 wrote: post #6

It doesn't understand authorized vs issued shares

In practice, for YC or similar Bay area US startups, they are the same.

All authorized shares are issued, and then the charter is amended through board action and more shares are authorized and issued at each stage.

Re: Show HN: Startup Equity Adventure Game

#29

Post by SilentEditor » Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 6:51 PM UTC

iliabara wrote: post #22

SilentEditor wrote: post #17

[flagged]

Hey thanks! There are a ton of edge cases, but the goal was to serve as an intro, and to get a grasp of the basics. Links in the intro to a more serious look at things.

[flagged]

Re: Show HN: Startup Equity Adventure Game

#30

Post by jagged-chisel » Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 11:37 PM UTC

iliabara wrote: post #26

withinboredom wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, also seems very US-centric with "outstanding shares". Other countries don't allow you to have outstanding shares. Also, where is the "reinvest" option during series rounds. Like, what founder also doesn't reinvest to keep their equity during fund raising?

This is US centric, it's mentioned on the first page, along with the notes and links. Reinvesting is a minority, edge case. I can't think of a single VC company in the Bay area that can have founders reinvest shares and not cause issues raising.

"...reinvest shares." I don't understand this. I'm guessing it's my lack of knowledge.

I'd expect "reinvest" to mean "supply more capital to obtain more shares" in an attempt to maintain ownership percentage. The founder would have to already be rather wealthy, or be savvy enough to negotiate some other way to maintain their ownership.