Single-Trigger vs. Double-Trigger Acceleration: What Happens to Your Vesting When Your Startup Is Acquired
Single-trigger vests your equity at closing; double-trigger also needs a qualifying termination within ~12 months. Know which your grant has.
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Startup
Essential accounting and finance guidance for startup founders
Startup Advisory Shares, Explained: FAST Tiers From 0.1% to 1%, Two-Year Vesting, and When an Advisor Earns Options Instead of Cash
Advisors earn 0.1% to 1% on the FAST grid with two-year vesting; NSOs tax the spread at exercise, restricted stock needs a Section 83(b) election in 30 days.
SBA Microloans, Explained: How to Borrow Up to $50,000 When Banks Say Your Loan Is Too Small
SBA Microloans lend up to $50,000 through nonprofit intermediaries at 8–13% — the average loan is about $13,000, and free business coaching comes with it.
Dual-Class Stock, Explained: How Founders Keep Control, Why Investors Discount It, and What Sunsets Change
Supervoting shares let founders control a company on a minority stake; investors discount the wedge unless a sunset restores one share, one vote.
Rule 701, Explained: How Private Companies Grant Equity Without Registering Securities
Rule 701 lets private companies grant stock options without SEC registration — until 12-month grants top $10M and force financial disclosure.
The Burn Multiple, Explained: How Much Each Dollar of Growth Really Costs You
Burn multiple is net burn divided by net new ARR — under 1.5x marks fundable SaaS efficiency, while above 3x means growth destroys value.
E-2 vs. L-1 vs. O-1: Which Visa Fits Your Founder Story, and the Payroll Records Each One Demands
E-2 needs treaty capital at risk, L-1A a year abroad, O-1A three of eight criteria — then every US hire needs an EIN, I-9, and payroll-tax filings.
ISOs vs. NQSOs: The $100,000 Limit, the AMT Bill at Exercise, and What Your Stock Options Really Cost You
ISOs skip regular tax at exercise but trigger AMT; NQSO spreads land on your W-2 as IRS wages. Plus the $100k rule that converts ISOs to NQSOs.
Negative Retained Earnings, Explained: What an Accumulated Deficit Really Means and How to Fix It
Negative retained earnings — an accumulated deficit — means lifetime losses and payouts exceed profits; only future earnings reverse it.
Rule 144, Explained: When Founders, Employees, and Early Investors Can Actually Sell Restricted and Control Stock
Rule 144 allows resale of restricted stock after a 6-month or 1-year holding period; affiliates must also meet volume limits and file Form 144.
Business Credit Scores Explained: D&B Paydex vs. Experian vs. FICO SBSS and How to Build From Zero
D&B Paydex grades payment speed 1–100, Experian forecasts delinquency risk, and FICO SBSS gates SBA loans at 155 — build all three from zero.
ISO vs. NSO Tax Treatment for Startup Employees: When Exercising Triggers AMT or Withholding
ISO exercises skip regular tax but can trigger AMT; NSO spreads land on your W-2 — IRS holding periods, withholding gaps, and the $100K limit.