As IPOs Remain Uncertain, Startups Face Ticking Options Clock and Risk Losing Key Employees.
In today's fast-paced and competitive startup landscape, stock options have become a critical tool for attracting and retaining top talent.
However, with IPOs remaining uncertain and investors becoming more cautious, many startups are struggling to maintain their valuation, leaving many employees with stock options that are set to expire.
As the clock ticks, startups must act fast to ensure that their employees exercise their options before they become worthless.
In this article, we'll explore why startups need to worry about the ticking options clock, the risks of not doing so, and what they can do to avoid losing valuable employees.
According to EquityZen's 2020 Private Company Liquidity Report, the median time to IPO for venture-backed startups increased from 4.9 years in 2010 to 10.1 years in 2020. Moreover, the percentage of startups that went public within four years of their initial funding round has decreased from 32% in 2013 to just 8% in 2020.
The Rise of Ticking Options Clock:
As startups stay private for longer, employees who were granted stock options in the early stages of the company's growth are now facing a ticking clock. Typically, stock options have a 10-year lifespan, and if they are not exercised within that timeframe, they become worthless.
However, exercising stock options requires cash, which many employees do not have readily available. Moreover, the uncertainty surrounding IPOs and the pandemic's economic fallout have made investors more cautious, leaving many startups struggling to maintain their valuation.
The Risks of Letting Stock Options Expire:
If startups fail to help their employees exercise their stock options before they expire, they risk losing valuable talent. Employees who hold stock options are often highly motivated to see the company succeed, and they may view the expiration of their options as a sign that the company is not doing well. Moreover, they may be less willing to put in the extra effort required to take the company to the next level.
On the other hand, if startups help their employees exercise their stock options, they can create a stronger sense of ownership and commitment. Employees who feel that they have a stake in the company's success are more likely to go above and beyond to help it grow.
What Startups Can Do:
To avoid losing valuable talent, startups need to act fast and find ways to help their employees exercise their stock options. One option is to provide employees with cash to exercise their options, either through a loan or by selling some of the company's shares. Another option is to extend the expiration date of the options, giving employees more time to exercise them.
As IPOs remain uncertain, startups must take proactive steps to help their employees exercise their stock options before they expire.
By doing so, they can create a stronger sense of ownership and commitment among their employees, which can lead to increased productivity, innovation, and growth. Startups that fail to act fast risk losing valuable talent and falling behind in the competitive startup landscape.
