Learn how to set up your share scheme:

Get the free guide
 
    The share scheme & equity management platform

    Attract, retain and motivate the best talent

    ...that's the power of equity

    As seen in

    financial-times
    forbes
    sifted
    accountancy-age
    enterprise-nation
    the-european
    startups

    Build a team that is all in(vestd)

    When the team is personally invested, everyone is empowered to work towards the same goal. Research has repeatedly shown that sharing ownership accelerates growth and increases employee loyalty. 

    Motivating people with shares and options used to be a headache. We've made it safe, easy and affordable.

    We'd love to help you...

    What makes Vestd special?

    Total equity management: the only platform with two-way Companies House integration and a real-time digital cap table.

    Guided setup and support: our team of 60+ equity specialists are on standby to help you.

    Company valuations provided: there's no need to ask your accountant for help.

    Custom terms and conditions: you can design individual agreements for each team member. We're big on 'conditional equity'.

    FCA authorised & regulated: our competitors don't seem to think this matters, but we do.

    cap-table-screen

    > Explore the platform

    > Book a free consultation

    Learn about equity

    Download our free, easy to read guides...

    guide-cover-complete-guide
    guide-cover-joy-of-EMI
    guide-cover-conditional-equity

    NEXT WEBINAR: Six questions to ask before setting up a scheme

    Our team is trusted by thousands of founders...

    Vestd folk
    red heart
    What has made Vestd such a good choice for us is the very detailed and thoughtful guidance before, during and long after signing up. They have made time and brain available to understand our business, its needs and objectives and given advice on that basis. Never with any pressure or spin.

    Thomas P. - Managing Director

    Vestd have been brilliant from the start. They always respond quickly and no question is a silly question as far as they are concerned and I've asked a lot of questions!

    Sarah T. - Director

    I think Vestd has hired a team of the kindest, understanding, helpful and supportive people. I have personally had the best customer service interactions I've ever experienced.

    Imen S. - Head of People

    Amazing customer support. We had a very tight timeline to grant options and the help we received was unparalleled.

    Olivia K. - COO

    Excellent product & support. They helped shape our scheme and have been invaluable in getting our valuations over the line over the last few years.

    Simon A. - Finance Director

    The support we have received from the Vestd team has been excellent, and this has extended way beyond the product into how we manage our shares and company filings.

    Paul S. - Chief Operating Officer

      Let's talk...

      The quickest way to figure things out is to book a discovery call (or demo).

      Tell us about your company structure and goals, so we can help you explore:

      • The best scheme type/s for your needs
      • How to protect existing shareholders
      • The kinds of conditions you can set
      • Costs and tax efficiency

      Calls are totally free and usually last for 30 minutes. There's no obligation to use Vestd afterwards.

      Choose a good time to chat and let's lock something in. >>>

      BLOG: Launch, the new way to incorporate your startup

      Why launch a share scheme?

      Increase employee loyalty

      Fully committed, personally invested teams tend to stick around to see out their mission.

      Attract the best talent

      Hiring is tough. Shares help to level the playing field and motivate new people to do their best work.

      Boost productivity & growth

      The business case is strong. Companies that share ownership outperform others that don't.

      Align your (remote) team

      Equity gets everyone pulling in the same direction, with minds focused on achieving long term objectives.

      Improve employee happiness

      The more your team feels included in the mission, direction, and success of the business, the happier they are.

      Relieve cashflow pressure

      Giving people shares offers them the potenital of a tax-effective life-changing reward, without breaking the bank.

      question-faq

      Frequently asked questions

      How many shares should I give to people?

      This is one of the first questions you will face. Three things to figure out:

      • How much of my company equity should I set aside for the scheme?
      • How many shares should each team member receive?
      • How do I manage dilution as new team members join the scheme?

      Learn about giving people shares

      What is a vesting schedule?

      When you award options to employees they don’t become available to them immediately. Instead, the options go through a ‘vesting’ period, and become available over time. No prizes for guessing where our brand name comes from!

      • What is a vesting schedule?
      • Who is subject to vesting?
      • When do options normally vest?
      • What should my vesting schedule look like?

      Learn about vesting

      When can my team access their shares?

      Real shares are granted immediately, but options are subject to vesting, and that comes in two distinct forms: exit-only or exercisable. We are huge fans of the latter for all sorts of reasons, but most companies choose the former.

      • What are exit-based options?
      • What are exercisable options?
      • What are the key differences between exercisable vs exit-only options?
      • Which type is right for me?

      Learn about exercisable vs exit-only options

      What kind of conditions can I set?

      Some schemes can be conditional... and you decide what the conditions are.

      Options schemes are usually aligned to time-based vesting over a period of years, but you can also set performance milestones.

      EMI option schemes and Agile Partnerships are both perfect vehicles for conditional equity rewards.

      Learn about Conditional Equity Milestones

      How should I price my shares?

      This depends on how you want to distribute equity (e.g real shares, growth shares, or options). There are tax implications for each of these methods.

      For EMI options schemes you have a choice to make: you can allow employees to exercise the options at the nominal value, or at an agreed actual market value. The former incurs income tax, whereas there is no tax owed on the latter. Or perhaps the exercise price will be somewhere in between these two values?

      This can be a lot to get your head around, so if you want to talk it through then just schedule a no-obligation call with one of our equity experts.

      Learn about pricing and tax
      Book a free consultation

      What happens if someone leaves?

      As a business owner you have plenty of protection in the event that an individual leaves or doesn’t deliver, so long as the right conditions are in place.

      However, it’s important for the equity to create the desired impact and incentive. That means the recipient also needs to feel that the criteria is fair.

      Read about what to do when people leave