65%
Odsetek ankietowanych Polaków deklarujących korzystanie z narzędzi AI według raportu „E-commerce w Polsce 2026”
IAB Polska2026Poland
The time-based release of stock or stock options — typically over four years, with a one-year cliff at the beginning.
Why it matters
It retains the team and protects the company from situations where someone leaves after three months with a large equity package.
What's missing without it
Without it, a co-founder who leaves after six months keeps one-third of the company forever.
When it is used
In founder agreements and employee stock option programs.
How we use it
Four years, one-year cliff: after the first year, 25%, then monthly increments thereafter.
Fun fact
The cliff is the period after which you receive your first tranche — and also the most common time for employees to leave the company. HR statistics show a clear spike in resignations right after it expires.
Numbers worth knowing
Startups in data
470 000 000 000
IDC Worldwide AI and Generative AI Spending Guide 2026 V2 prognozuje, że europejskie wydatki na AI osiągną blisko 470 mld dolarów do 2030 roku
IDC09/2026Europe
470 000 000 000
Prognozowane całkowite wydatki na AI w Europie w 2030 roku według IDC Worldwide AI and Generative AI Spending Guide 2026 V2
IDC09/2026Europe
Figures from the same field — collected in our market data base.