Vesting and Starting Low

The Trap

Locking in a large equity split (50/50, or any high number) at the very start.

The Reframe

An exact 50/50 split mostly guarantees deadlock on disagreements rather than fairness. It's better to start low (for example, 10% each) with a vesting schedule that builds toward a larger stake (say, 30 to 40%) over time, tied to value actually created rather than a Day 1 guess.

Why It Works

Nobody knows on Day 1 who will contribute what. Vesting lets the split follow real contribution instead of a prediction made before anything has happened, and it protects both sides as circumstances change.