Free calculator
Vesting calculator: what has vested, and what happens on an exit
Enter the grant, the schedule, the cliff and how many months have passed, then test an exit with single or double trigger acceleration. The calculator shows vested, unvested and what a leaver keeps.
Standard founder vesting
Four years, monthly, with a one-year cliff: nothing vests in the first twelve months, then 25 percent at the cliff and 1/48 every month after. Investors expect founders to be on it even if they started the company; many ask for a reset with credit for time served at the seed round.
Cliff and leaver clauses
The cliff protects the company from a founder who leaves early. Good leaver and bad leaver clauses decide whether a departing founder keeps vested shares or sells them back at cost. Read them before signing; they matter more than the vesting percentage.
Single vs double trigger
Single trigger accelerates vesting on a change of control. Double trigger accelerates only if the company is sold and the person is also terminated without cause within a period after the sale. Acquirers prefer double trigger because it keeps the team; founders usually get 50 to 100 percent double trigger.
What to negotiate
Credit for time served, double trigger acceleration of at least 50 percent, and clarity on good leaver terms. Avoid a full reset at every round.
Questions founders ask
Does this apply to employees?
Yes. Employee grants use the same schedule; acceleration is less common and usually only double trigger for executives.
What is a vesting reset?
A new schedule starting at the round. Ask for credit for the months already served.
Does the calculator store anything?
No. The inputs stay in your browser.
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