The answers so far are a great representation that it varies across all types of companies.

My recommendation is a range of $10,000 - $40,000 per advisor, per year (depending on board design, meeting freq, and advisor expectations. This may be translated to an equity participation (.25% - 3%/ea) or other deferred compensation method.

Vesting is definitely a good design element. Several answers mentioned the possibility of advisor drift. It is important that your advisory board is well designed and well run to ensure that you are able to extract great value from the advisory team. One of the intangible forms of compensation is the advisors sense of giving and contributing value. When Advisory Boards are poorly designed and/or poorly managed communication breaks down, relationships weaken or never get started, and the advisor may not feel they are appreciated or that they are able to make a meaningful contribution to the venture.

Your company's ability to cultivate those relationshipswith your advisors and create well prepared and engaging meetings will often be more important than a vesting schedule to the advisor's involvement. Nevertheless, always vest.

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