Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Launch HN: Compound (YC S19) – helping employees understand equity compensation

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

11–20 of 47 posts

Re: Launch HN: Compound (YC S19) – helping employees understand equity compensation

#11

Post by jrdngonen »

geoffreyy wrote: post #10

Congrats on making it to YC 19! Love the idea, in fact I started something similar[1] in March 2018 when I was switching job. I also heard too many stories of friends accepting early stage companies offers with little to no equity and I was hurting for them. I hope we (employees) will finally get our leverage back and fight for better equity but ALSO better liquidity! If founders get liquidity, employees should too,…

Thanks!

We aim to provide leverage to employees so they can make better decisions. We are starting with closing the information gap but, as you point out, there are tons of (very nuanced) problems that need solving.

We definitely want to encourage dialogue around equity compensation policies.

Re: Launch HN: Compound (YC S19) – helping employees understand equity compensation

#12

Post by jedberg »

I wish you all the best, but I worry that this is a case of a startup for startups, except one level removed, because its a startup for startup employees, who are usually the first to go when the startup market turns.

I say this basically as a warning to be cognizant of this fact and make sure to diversify away from SV startup employees as quickly as possible.

Re: Launch HN: Compound (YC S19) – helping employees understand equity compensation

#15

Post by refrigerator »

Seeing lots criticism in the comments, similar to the kind that Uber faced when they were a private black cab app — "Yet another startup to serve rich startup folk" etc.

I don't think it's entirely warranted here.

"Equity compensation" as a whole definitely seems like a large market (there are many many many billions of $$$ tied up in employee equity), and becoming the go-to experts on everything to do with equity compensation seems like a solid foundation for building financial services + products on top. I'm sure this can eventually extend outside of the SV ecosystem, and probably extend outside of "equity compensation" too.

Congrats on the launch, guys! Look forward to seeing where this goes :)

Re: Launch HN: Compound (YC S19) – helping employees understand equity compensation

#18

Post by jrdngonen »

refrigerator wrote: post #15

Seeing lots criticism in the comments, similar to the kind that Uber faced when they were a private black cab app — "Yet another startup to serve rich startup folk" etc. I don't think it's entirely warranted here. "Equity compensation" as a whole definitely seems like a large market (there are many many many billions of $$$ tied up in employee equity), and becoming the go-to experts on everything to do with equity co…

Thanks for the kind words!

We see many large && important problems to solve in this space. Successful solutions will demand a long-term mindset but we are hopeful the right combination of product + technology + capital will unlock tremendous impact and value.

Re: Launch HN: Compound (YC S19) – helping employees understand equity compensation

#19

Post by kevinflo »

I'm shocked by the comments of those here that don't see why something like this must exist and don't see that there is tremendous financial upside for whoever cracks this. Employee equity can generate unbelievable amounts of wealth as well as unbelievable tax consequences/missed opportunities. The deck is mostly stacked against employees, and you're on your own navigating treacherous waters with little information. A strong company in this space can protect employees and ultimately advocate for them and improve the landscape. Or it can augment the deck being stacked in favor of the investors etc. depending on how things shake out for the winners in this space.

Re: Launch HN: Compound (YC S19) – helping employees understand equity compensation

#20

Post by zuhayeer »

geoffreyy wrote: post #10

Congrats on making it to YC 19! Love the idea, in fact I started something similar[1] in March 2018 when I was switching job. I also heard too many stories of friends accepting early stage companies offers with little to no equity and I was hurting for them. I hope we (employees) will finally get our leverage back and fight for better equity but ALSO better liquidity! If founders get liquidity, employees should too,…

Reffo.us is pretty cool, curious why you stopped (or is it still going?)
Post reply on HN