I'm in the process of starting a company dealing with social media and marketing. I've been working with a marketing advisor on a trial basis for several months. He has turned out to be an extraordinary asset to my efforts. Unfortunately he isn't available for hire, but he would like to continue in an advisory role giving me about 10 hours per month. Besides his advice and research, he will be able to make some key introductions to potential customers and investors.<p>How much equity should I offer him, presumably vested over 4 years?<p>More background: I am currently a single person operation, not yet incorporated (soon) or funded.<p>Thanks for any advice you can offer.
Consider finding an alternative that you can hire instead of offering equity.<p>Alternatively allow him to put his money on the table to buy in as a founder.<p>Just advice and contacts unless they're really extraordinary (which you're in a position to evaluate, you say they are but based on how large a sample is that ?), make-or-break is best hired.<p>If he's willing to become a co-founder that means he's in for the long haul, that changes things considerably.<p>Equity should be exchanged for funding or a very strong commitment. 10 hours per month puts him compared to a full-timer that brings money to the table in the much-less-than-1% bracket, and likely he won't be interested in that.
Out of curiosity, did he ask for equity? I didn't catch that in your summary, it seemed like he's willing to give you ~10 hours a month.<p>Either way I'd see if he could make those introductions first, proving that he's good partner. If he can't make the introductions or won't until he has equity, then I would be apprehensive about a partnership.