Total equity management
The original share scheme platform built for startups, scaleups and SMEs.
We do it all. Custom schemes, valuations and full Companies House integration.
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Trusted by thousands of founders








Why choose Vestd?
The only digital platform focused on share and option schemes for UK SMEs. No need for accountants or lawyers, we can do everything in-house.
The UK’s share scheme specialists
We'll help you design tax-efficient employee share schemes.
Lifetime scheme management
We provide end-to-end expert support from setup through to exit.
Build for startups & SMEs
Regular valuations, full Companies House integration & FCA regulation.
Frequently asked questions
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
The platform itself allows you to manage all aspects of share and option management concisely in one place. The automations and integrations save you time. But while the platform is great, it is the team that makes Vestd stand out. From pre-sales to onboarding and the ever-helpful support team - not only do they support on the platform but provide excellent knowledge in this area.

Great platform. The team always provide brilliant support. I would definitely recommend using Vestd to anyone who needs to set up and administer an EMI scheme.

Straight forward and structured approach - so good for founders and also FD/CFO/advisor who is looking to get share capital and share option schemes in place.

A fantastic platform. The price is fixed. The customer support is fantastic and readily available. They have held our hand right through the whole process.

I love Vestd and I wish I had found it sooner. It makes the whole process of issuing shares whether they're growth shares or ordinary shares incredibly simple.

Amazing shift from Excel to Vestd. The support team were amazing and did a great job of completing our setup and we have been very pleased at being able to better manage our governance over time.

Want to find out more?
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