Evaluate Advisor Contribution Logic and Vesting Terms
Analyse the specific value proposition, required time commitment, and strategic deliverables expected from each advisor against their equity allocation. Assess whether vesting schedules, cliff periods, and performance-based milestones properly align long-term advisor incentives with venture progress.
Completing this action determines whether each advisor's equity allocation is fair, performance-linked, and proportionate to their actual contribution. It prevents premature equity leakage by establishing clear performance thresholds and structured vesting timelines.
The founder must deliver an advisor contribution matrix mapping equity percentages against explicit deliverables, time commitments, and vesting schedules. Every advisor grant must feature a defined cliff and measurable performance milestones.
Five questions an expert would ask when reviewing your output
Use these to challenge assumptions, pressure-test your logic, and check the quality of this action's output in the context of the parent task and wider venture development.
- 1
How do you justify the equity percentage granted relative to the actual hours and domain expertise provided?
- 2
Why does your advisor agreement lack a time-based cliff or milestone-contingent vesting criteria?
- 3
How will you reclaim equity if an advisor stops opening doors or providing strategic guidance after six months?
- 4
What specific, measurable outcomes must this advisor deliver over the next twelve months to earn their equity?
- 5
How does the value of this advisor's network compare to the long-term cost of their unvested equity?