Are pre-orders a good idea for beta product launch if your focus isn't solely on consumers?

Hi There are various 'models' that you can use to estimate how many shares/percentages your new partner should get. These include (a) his/her investment in time and/or money, (b) the current + potential value of the company, (c) the time and/or money that you as the original founder already put in and various other models. That said, at the end of the day, it's all about value and psychology (both side's feelings). Bottom line: 1. It all really depends on how much value they are giving you (not only financial, sometimes even just moral support goes a long way). Some founder's 'should' get 5%, some should get 50% or more. 2. Ask the potential partner how much shares they want (BEFORE you name a number). 3. Have an open conversation with them in regards to each of your expectations. 4. Use a vesting (or preferably reverse vesting) mechanism - meaning that the founder receives his shares gradually, based on the time that goes by (during which he fulfills his obligations) and/or milestones reached. 5. If you want a mathematical method: calculate the value of each 1% of the shares (based on the last investment round), check how much an average CPO earns per month/year, and then you can calculate what % he/she should get for the 2-3 years they should put in. I've successfully helped over 350 entrepreneurs, startups and businesses, and I would be happy to help you. After scheduling a call, please send me some background information so that I can prepare in advance - thus giving you maximum value for your money. Take a look at the great reviews I’ve received: https://clarity.fm/assafben-david

Before we dive into the equity,salary and such. Motivation and retention begins with the CEO. Ask yourself what is the culture of the company? If you don't know anything about culture then start with the basics: 1. Do you value employee opinions? Do you ask for others opinions? 2. Do you encourage people to listen to employee problems? Do you listen to what other people have to say? 3. Do you encourage others to come up with ideas and suggestion? 4. Can you sell your dream? 5. Can you build consensus? 6. Hire people for their strengths and fix their weaknesses 7. Don't assume shit, always ask 8. Treat your interns like employees and mentor them 9. Have a clear vision and be able to articulate it 10. Can you admit when you are wrong? VERY IMPORTANT So if you have a strong company culture this will help with new hires, motivate, and retain talent. The frosting on the cake is free food/snacks, happy hours, company paid healthcare benefits, etc.

Better than a cover letter is to actually proactively DO something to help them. It'll show them not only that you've researched them, but you're passionate about the startup and worth bringing on. A man got a job at Square early on for just making them a marketing video on his own (back before they had one). Since you're a web designer, design a stellar 1-pager that's targeting their message to a particular niche. Something they could use on social media or something. If they're like most startups, they're not interested in reading cover letters. They're interested in passionate individuals who can add value to the organization.

Generally speaking, Yes. I say this for a couple primary reasons. 1) If you do not place value in your product, why should the customer? And if you are not charging for it you are not placing value on it. 2) the customer will be more "invested" in the success of something that has cost them something. If it was free and it fails, "who cares"? if it cost them resources they may be more interested in making it work. There could be overriding factors, but this is where I start with a question of this nature.

Convertible notes are by no means "earned." They are often easier to raise for early-stage companies who don't want to or can't raise an equity round. Equity rounds almost always require a simultaneous close of either the whole round or a defined "first close" representing a significant share of the raised amount. Where there are many participants in the round comprised mostly of small seed funds and/or angel investors, shepherding everyone to a closing date can be very difficult. If a company raises money on a note and the company fails, the investors are creditors, getting money back prior to any shareholder and any creditor that doesn't have security or statutory preference. In almost every case, convertible note holders in these situations would be lucky to get pennies back on the dollar. It would be highly unusual of / unheard of for a convertible note to come with personal guarantees. Happy to talk to you about the particulars of your situation and explain more to you based on what you're wanting to know.