Vesting of Stock or Options

Vesting is a process used in stock or stock option plans that grants employees, founders, or other stakeholders the right to own shares or options in a company over a specified period of time. The purpose of vesting is to encourage long-term commitment and loyalty to the company by gradually granting ownership rights as the individual remains with the company.

Purpose and Role: The primary purpose of vesting is to incentivize employees or stakeholders to remain with the company and contribute to its success over an extended period. By granting ownership rights gradually, vesting helps align the interests of employees and the company, ensuring that employees are rewarded for their continued commitment and hard work.

Components:

• Vesting schedule: The vesting schedule is a predefined timeline that specifies when and how much of the Stock or options become available to the individual. Common vesting schedules include cliff vesting, where a substantial portion of the stock or options become available after a specified period (e.g., one year), and graded vesting, where ownership rights are granted incrementally over time (e.g., monthly or annually).
• Vesting period: The vesting period is the total duration over which the stock or options become fully vested. Typical vesting periods range from three to five years.
• Accelerated vesting: In certain situations, such as a change of control (e.g., a merger or acquisition), the vesting process may be accelerated, and the individual may become fully vested immediately.

Importance: Vesting is important because it encourages employee loyalty, long-term commitment, and hard work by tying a portion of their compensation to the company's success. The gradual granting of ownership rights helps align the interests of employees with those of the company, promoting a shared sense of ownership and responsibility for the company's growth and success.

Examples to illustrate key concepts:

• A startup grants an employee 1,000 stock options with a four-year vesting period and a one-year cliff. After one year, 25% of the options (250) become vested, and the employee is now eligible to exercise them. Over the next three years, the remaining 750 options will vest at a rate of 250 options per year.
• A company grants a key executive 5,000 shares of restricted stock with a five-year graded vesting schedule. Each year, 20% of the shares (1,000) become vested, allowing the executive to sell or transfer the vested shares.

In summary, vesting is a process used in stock or stock option plans that grants employees or stakeholders the right to own shares or options in a company over a specified period. Vesting encourages long-term commitment and loyalty to the company by gradually granting ownership rights, helping to align the interests of employees and the company and promoting a shared sense of responsibility for the company's success.