Meaning before the Math.
ESOP Scheme Design and Structuring driven by values, not just industry templates.
Most companies approach scheme design asking, "How many shares should we give?" We believe the better question is, "Why are we giving them at all?"
The Problem with Standard Templates
The industry standard is to copy a term sheet from a successful competitor, tweak the numbers slightly, and rollout the plan. This results in empty mechanics. The employee receives a piece of paper, but feels no true ownership. They treat it like a bonus, not a partnership. When schemes are designed purely as financial retention tools, they inevitably fail at cultivating loyalty or deep engagement.
The Contemplative Approach
We begin with a dialogue (our Adios framework) to uncover your underlying intent. Are you trying to reward past loyalty? Motivate future leaps? Build a cooperative culture? Or perhaps just compete for talent?
Only once we have profound clarity on your values do we translate them into cap-tables, vesting schedules, and legal structures. By ensuring the math reflects the meaning, the resulting scheme becomes a living embodiment of your company culture.
Our Structuring Philosophy:
- Intent over mechanics: Define the "why" before touching Excel.
- Clarity over complexity: If an employee cannot explain it simply, the structure has failed.
- Values integration: Vesting metrics that align with cultural cornerstones, not just revenue targets.