Is being offered 23% of a company an insult as a partner in a start up? I am responsible for building and designing the entire web app, coding the Frontend, backend, and digitizing all requirements for our proof of concept. My partner found me on LinkedIn. Its his idea, he will be running business functions, marketing, client onboarding, and he has a few real clients to do a trial run with. We’ve been working together for two months in a trial period and now we want to write up contract. How do I value myself?! ……This is my first start up !
Just my opinion OP , but I think Jobs was right about that the magic lies in the execution, so I would normally want more personally (but might be fine in this situation, elaborated further down). Ideas are cheap in comparison to execution and can get stolen anytime after all. To play the devil advocate, does anything stop you from just starting your own company with his idea right now?
Still, 23% is not bad in this scenario in my opinion. Now, why is that? Because he has CLIENTS LINED UP. He does not seem to be a wannabe entrepreneur, a business plan writer but non-doer or like those people who pay to go to multiple real estate seminars and still haven’t bought their first rental (This last example honestly just makes me sad to see😢).
So, can you accept 23%? Be 100% sure that you are all right with that. If not, the resentment might eat you alive. Again, be sure about this.
If you still want an equal split I would emphasise that you want to be a partner with him on this expedition, that you really believe in it and go all the way with him. Maybe read the “Go all the way” poem by Charles Bukowski while you at it🫡😁.
Anyway, just my 2 cents! Best of luck!