Master startup cash flow 2025: 38-44% of startups die from running out of cash (2nd reason after no market need). Runway formula: cash / net burn rate (months). Burn multiple benchmark <1 excellent, 1-1.5 great, 1.5-2 good, 2-3 suspect, >3…
Startup Accounting 101: Basic P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow
Complete startup accounting guide 2025: P&L statement (revenue – COGS – operating expenses = net profit, tracked monthly), balance sheet (assets = liabilities + equity, point-in-time snapshot), cash flow statement (operating/investing/financing activities, tracks actual cash), bookkeeping software costs (Zoho Books…
Company Culture: Building Values (Without Corporate BS)
Complete culture guide 2025: build authentic values without generic corporate BS. Define 3-5 core values through employee input (not top-down), translate each to specific observable behaviors, hire for fit (not just skills), bake into rituals and decisions, measure via eNPS…
Vesting Schedule Explained: Why 4-Year Cliffs Matter
Complete vesting schedule guide 2025: 4-year vesting with 1-year cliff is 100% industry standard. Cliff mechanics (0% months 1-12, 25% cliff at month 12, then 1/36 monthly), founder leaves before cliff = forfeits all equity, acceleration clauses (double-trigger vs single-trigger),…
Tax Planning for Startup Founders: ESOP, TDS, and ITR Filing
Complete tax planning guide 2025 India: ESOP taxation (no tax at grant, perquisite income at exercise 10-30%+, capital gains 10% LTCG), Section 80-IAC 100% profit exemption 3 years, GST ₹40L goods/₹20L services threshold, TDS Section 195/194, ITR filing (ITR-3/4/5), tax…
Equity Negotiations with Investors: Don’t Get Diluted Too Much
Master founder equity negotiations 2025: maintain 50-60% ownership by Series A through strategic dilution management (20-25% seed, 20% Series A, 15% Series B), negotiate weighted average anti-dilution over full ratchet, secure 1x non-participating liquidation preference, preserve voting control through board…
ESOP Pool: How Much Should You Reserve? (10-20% Rule)
Complete ESOP pool sizing guide 2025: seed stage 10-12%, Series A 12-15%, Series B 15-20%. Pool calculation methodology, dilution mechanics (10%→7% post-Series A dilution), refresh mechanics, employee communication, annual updates, and benchmark data for talent attraction. Table of Contents…
Cap Table Management: Your Equity Spreadsheet (Template)
Complete cap table management guide 2025: build equity tracking spreadsheet, founder dilution mechanics (100%→41% through Series B + ESOP), shareholder tracking, dilution calculations, scenario modeling, and software comparison (Carta $280/mo, Ledgy €3k/yr, Pulley ₹1200/yr, free options for <25 stakeholders). Table…
Employee Stock Options (ESOP): Complete Guide for Startups
Master startup ESOPs 2025 India: what stock options are, how they work, 4-year vesting with 1-year cliff (standard), taxation (no tax at grant, perquisite income at exercise, 10-12.5% LTCG at sale), pool sizing (10-15%), tax deferral (48 months for eligible…
Onboarding New Hires: 30-60-90 Day Plan for Success
Complete onboarding framework 2025: Day 1 setup checklist (laptop ₹30-60K or rent ₹2500-3500/mo), 30-60-90 day milestones, productivity ramp timeline, team integration, retention metrics (50% higher with structure), feedback loops, and anti-patterns. Table of Contents Why Onboarding Matters (Data 2025) Day…