Eqvista blog

We help business owners realize their dreams by providing full company incorporation, share management and valuation
services to startup companies. Our blog is the best place to learn about valuation, equity, and the Eqvista product.

Why use Eqvista to issue and manage phantom stocks?

Phantom stocks, also known as phantom shares, simulated stock, or shadow stock, is a type of equity compensation in which corporate stock is issued to selected employees without any physical ownership. The phantom stock enables employees to have certain benefits of shares but with no actual ownership. The purpose of phantom stock is to eliminate … Continued

Top 10 Pre-Seed Funded Startups in Q1 2023

The pre-seed stage is a critical time for startups, as they work to validate their ideas and secure early funding. These top 10 pre-seed funded startups of Q1 2023 have shown great potential in their respective industries, and are poised to disrupt their markets with their innovative solutions. Top 10 Startups of Q1 2023 (Pre-Seed … Continued

Convertible Note Interest Rate: Everything You Need to Know

A convertible note is a financial instrument that is recognized as a hybrid of both debt and equity. Basically, it is a form of a debt instrument with a time-dependent conversion which can be converted into equity by the note holder. In basic terms, a convertible note is an alternative financial tool that allows a … Continued

Top 10 Seed Funded Startups in Q1 2023

The startup ecosystem is constantly evolving, and Q1 2023 has seen the emergence of several innovative startups that have secured seed funding to fuel their growth. In this article, we will take a closer look at the top 10 seed-funded startups of Q1 2023, their respective industries, and a brief description of their solutions. Top … Continued

Advisor Stock Options: Everything you should know

The shares provided to your business’s advisors when you offer employee shares are known as advisor stock options. Startups offer Advisors advisor shares instead of cash compensation, which is often an appealing proposition. Businesses must consider the advisor’s job when deciding how much to compensate them. However, you should avoid giving your real advisor shares … Continued

Join Us at Plug and Play Silicon Valley June Summit 2023

We are excited to announce that Eqvista will participate in Plug and Play Silicon Valley June Summit 2023! As we prepare for our Pre-A funding round, we are showcasing how Eqvista is revolutionizing equity management for seed-stage to pre-IPO companies. Join us on June 6 at 3 PM (PDT) for an event filled with innovative … Continued

Top 10 Series A Funded Startups in Q1 2023

The startup ecosystem has been buzzing with activity in the first quarter of 2023, with a flurry of Series A funding rounds taking place. These startups are leading the way in their respective industries, pushing boundaries, and solving real-world problems. Here are the top 10 startups that have caught our attention. Top 10 Startups of … Continued

Paying a Consultant with Equity

Like employees, consultants may also be eligible for equity compensation, which is a kind of non-cash payment. Businesses often provide equity payout when they cannot compensate with enough cash or provide salaries below market. Equity payout can be done with different types of equity compensation, which include performance shares, stock options, and restricted stock. Based … Continued

Guide to Writing the Perfect Investor Update

Are you considering updating your investor on the current progress of your company? Well, an investor update is a great way to maintain a strong relationship with the investors in your company by keeping them up-to-date with the progress of your company and making sure they are in the loop at all times. A well-written … Continued

ISO vs NSO: Understanding the Difference

Stock options are becoming more and more common, particularly among startups looking to recruit top personnel without going over their compensation budget. Companies add stock options to an employee’s remuneration package in place of a greater salary. This helps organizations recruit and retain top talent and provide financial advantages to employees. Incentive stock options (ISOs) … Continued

Top 25 Private Equity Firms

Private equity firms attract investors like bees to a flower because they provide higher returns than public stock markets. The year 2021 was a watershed year for the private equity market as investment volume topped the trillion mark for the first time in history. The overall value of all 24,520 agreements concluded was $1.04 trillion, … Continued

Interview with Lukas Hlavac: Mentoring Startups to Success

In this interview, we are fortunate to have Lukas Hlavac, a mentor to many startups. He shares the challenges that startups face and provides tips on how to grow your startup into a successful venture. Can you briefly introduce yourself and your experience with startups? Thank you for having me! I’m an executive, entrepreneur, and … Continued

Guide to Decentralized autonomous organization (DAO)

A decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) enables groups of people with similar interests (businesses, non-profits, etc.) to run their organization without a hierarchical authority figure and instead through decentralized governance. Members of the DAO can work together to run the entity in complete transparency. The organization’s rules are encoded in a transparent computer program, and members … Continued

Valuing a Crypto Mining Company: What You Need to Know?

The cryptocurrency mining industry has seen rapid growth in recent years, prompting many to consider investing in these operations. This article delves into crypto mining, providing an overview of the industry, factors affecting valuation, and methods for valuing a crypto mining company. We will also walk you through the step-by-step valuation process and provide an … Continued

How should companies manage ESOP in their cap table?

ESOPs have been identified as one of the most preferred funding tools in the current era. While ESOPs were traditionally used to incentivize long-tenured senior management, recent trends show that they are now actively used as a recruiting strategy to recruit, retain, and attract talent. It encourages employee ownership by making them part owners, which … Continued

How to avoid qualified small business stock pitfalls?

Taxpayers can exclude income on the sale of qualifying small company shares (QSBS) under Internal Revenue Code Section 1202. Section 1202 encourages investment in small businesses, and investors may get spectacular profits. When a stakeholder other than a corporate business sells QSBS that was bought after September 27, 2010 and was held for over five … Continued

Why should you manage your cap table for an exit?

Exit plans are essential for securing a business owner’s financial future, but many only consider creating one once they are ready to leave. Business owners must consider an exit strategy but are frequently overlooked until significant changes are required. Entrepreneurs risk limiting their future options if they do not plan an exit strategy that informs … Continued

Key differences between ESOP and Management Buyout (MBO)

Employee stock options plan (ESOP) and management buyout (MBO) are two common options in planning an exit strategy. There isn’t a particular exit plan that is subscribed to work for every business owner moving forward. Helping ensure you comprehend the fundamental distinctions between corporate transition planning choices. This article will compare Employee stock options plan … Continued

Benefits of creating a simple and smart cap table for early-stage startups

A capitalization table or cap table for early-stage startups lists your startup’s shareholders and their relative stakes in the organization. It is a spreadsheet that gives a summary of the capital structure of the business. Every investor will ask for your cap table to understand the financial system and the weight of each partner in … Continued

Strategies to Maximize Section 1202 Gain Exclusion Amount

We have seen more understanding among company founders and investors about Section 1202. Investors in QSBS are entitled to an exclusion from taxable profits of up to $10 million under Internal Revenue Code Section 1202. The standard $10 million gain exclusion ceiling under Section 1202 will be more than enough for many taxpayers. However, some … Continued

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