Table of Contents
Dynamic Equity Pricing for Non-Monetary Contributions
Dynamic Equity Pricing for non-monetary contributions focuses on assigning fair value to efforts, skills, intellectual property, and other intangible inputs that participants bring to a business. Instead of monetary equivalence, this approach relies on measurable, non-monetary methods of assessment.
1. Define Non-Monetary Contributions
Identify types of non-monetary contributions, such as:
- Time and Effort: Hours worked, tasks completed, or milestones achieved.
- Skills and Expertise: Specialized knowledge or technical abilities.
- Intellectual Property: Patents, proprietary technology, or creative designs.
- Networks and Relationships: Strategic partnerships, introductions, or client leads.
- Reputation and Branding: Leveraging personal or professional influence for the company’s growth.
2. Measurement Methods
Contributions are measured using non-monetary approaches, including:
a) Point-Based System
- Assign points based on effort, impact, or importance.
- Example: Completing a major feature = 50 points, client introduction = 20 points.
- Define categories:
- Effort Points: Number of hours worked (e.g., 1 point/hour).
- Impact Points: Measured outcomes (e.g., 10 points for securing a major client).
b) Contribution Slices
- Use “slices” to represent relative contributions over time.
- Example: Total slices contributed by all participants = 1,000. If a person earns 100 slices, they own 10% of the equity.
c) Milestone-Based System
- Award contributions when specific milestones are reached.
- Product Development: Completing a prototype.
- Business Growth: Securing an investment or partnership.
d) Impact Scoring
- Score contributions based on measurable outcomes:
- High Impact: 10 points.
- Moderate Impact: 5 points.
- Low Impact: 1 point.
e) Relative Weighting
- Assign weights to tasks or roles based on their importance:
- Example: Coding = 3x weight, administrative tasks = 1x weight.
3. Dynamic Recalculation of Equity
Ownership percentages are recalculated periodically to reflect contributions:
- Formula:
Ownership % = (Contributor’s Total Contribution) ÷ (Total Contributions of All Participants)
Example Calculation:
- Contributor A: 200 points.
- Contributor B: 300 points.
- Contributor C: 500 points.
- Total Contributions = 1,000 points.
- Contributor A: 200 ÷ 1,000 = 20%.
- Contributor B: 300 ÷ 1,000 = 30%.
- Contributor C: 500 ÷ 1,000 = 50%.
4. Tools for Implementation
Use tools to track and manage contributions:
- Tracking Software: Tools like Clockify or Toggl for time contributions.
- Equity Management Platforms: Platforms like Slicing Pie or Cap Table tools.
- Collaboration Systems: Spreadsheets or tools like Notion for real-time updates.
5. Benefits and Challenges
Benefits
- Encourages ongoing contributions by adjusting equity dynamically.
- Recognizes the value of intangible assets and effort.
- Builds fairness and transparency among team members.
Challenges
- Subjectivity in valuing non-monetary contributions.
- Requires continuous tracking and recalibration.
- Potential for disputes over perceived contribution value.
Example
A startup has three founders with the following contributions:
- Founder A: Developed the prototype (200 points).
- Founder B: Secured a key investor (150 points).
- Founder C: Built branding and marketing strategy (100 points).
Total Points = 450
- Founder A: 200 ÷ 450 = 44.4%.
- Founder B: 150 ÷ 450 = 33.3%.
- Founder C: 100 ÷ 450 = 22.2%.
This ensures that contributions are fairly valued and equity is distributed proportionally.