Can I get vesting credit at my next fundraise?

Usually yes — 12-24 months of prior time served is typical. Negotiate this as part of the term sheet, not after signing.

What happens to unvested shares when someone leaves?

The company repurchases at the original exercise price (usually pennies). Vested shares stay with the departing employee.

Is single-trigger acceleration ever standard?

Rarely, and only for founders. Investors resist it because it distorts acquisition economics.

Vesting Schedules for Founders and Employees (2026)

4-year vest with a 1-year cliff is the industry standard. Single vs double trigger acceleration, founder vesting.

Vesting Schedules: 4-Year Vest, 1-Year Cliff, and Acceleration Explained

Vesting looks like boilerplate until a co-founder leaves in month 13 or an acquirer values the deal partly on unvested equity. The default terms exist for a reason — deviating from them is where the tradeoffs get real.

The standard: 4-year vest, 1-year cliff

25% of the grant vests on the first anniversary. The remaining 75% vests monthly (1/48 of the total) over the next three years. Anyone who leaves before the 1-year cliff walks with zero equity — protects the company and the remaining team.

Founder vesting

Institutional investors will require founder vesting at the priced round, even for founders who have been working full-time for years. Typical compromise: credit for time served (12-24 months of prior vesting), and a fresh 4-year vest on the remainder.

Single vs double trigger acceleration

Single trigger: all unvested shares vest on acquisition. Double trigger: shares vest only if there's an acquisition AND the employee is terminated within a window (typically 12 months). Double trigger is standard for founders — single trigger scares acquirers.

Common variations

6-year vest for very senior hires with front-loaded grants. Milestone-based vesting for advisors. No cliff for co-founders who've been together for years. Every deviation from 4/1 needs a defensible reason.

What to negotiate

Vesting acceleration on termination without cause. Repurchase rights limited to unvested shares only. Clear treatment of vesting during a leave of absence. Get these written into the equity grant documents, not just the term sheet.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get vesting credit at my next fundraise?: Usually yes — 12-24 months of prior time served is typical. Negotiate this as part of the term sheet, not after signing.
What happens to unvested shares when someone leaves?: The company repurchases at the original exercise price (usually pennies). Vested shares stay with the departing employee.
Is single-trigger acceleration ever standard?: Rarely, and only for founders. Investors resist it because it distorts acquisition economics.