Step · Reveal
The Vesting Clock
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Every equity grant runs on a clock you did not set. Leaving before it finishes means forfeiting the portion the calendar had not yet released to you.
What this reveals. One number: the unvested paper value of your grant today, at the grant value you enter. A second figure shows the unvested paper value 12 months from now, at the growth you select. Both are paper value, not cash.
What it does not do. It does not tell you when to leave. It documents what the calendar is holding.
What is the total value of your current equity grant today?
Today's fair market value of the whole grant, vested and unvested shares or RSUs together. Not the value at the grant date. Not adjusted for future dilution. The tool uses this number as entered for every figure marked today.
What is your vesting schedule?
How many months into vesting are you today?
Does your grant have a one-year cliff?
A cliff means 0 percent vests until the anniversary, then a lump portion vests at once.
Expected annual growth in grant value?
Share price growth you expect over the next 12 months. The tool applies it only to the 12-month figures, for 12 months from today. It does not change any figure marked today.
paper value, not cash: the portion of the grant value you entered that has not vested. No growth is applied to this figure. Your plan terms govern what happens to it if you leave.
Assumptions used: grant value today, vesting years, months in, cliff, and expected growth. All are inputs you selected. Tool assumptions: vesting is linear by month once any one-year cliff has passed, and growth applies only to the 12-month figures. Every figure is paper value, not cash. This is a scenario, not a tax or securities recommendation.
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The email includes the financial result this tool calculated for you. Use an address where you want to receive it. Receiving your result does not add you to the Register waitlist or to our email briefing. Get The Number Answer instantly, short emails from Cynthia, and first word when the Register opens on October 19. It does not subscribe you to our email briefing. Privacy notice
This estimate shows the unvested value you would leave behind today and after 12 more months, from the grant value, vesting schedule, and growth rate you entered. Today's figure uses the value as you entered it; growth applies only to the 12-month figure. It is paper value under those assumptions. It is not cash, and it says nothing about liquidity or tax.
If you are weighing a departure date or an offer, the open question is what to ask for in exchange for what you forfeit. Decision Desk™ can examine the scenarios and prepare a documented position.
Plan terms and tax treatment decide what this equity is actually worth to you. Confirm both with qualified counsel and a tax adviser before relying on any figure here.
Bring one date to the Review: the offer deadline or the next vesting date that bears on your decision. If it is not set, say so.
The Private Decision Review determines whether the Decision Desk™ is appropriate for the decision in front of you. The Decision Desk™ investment is $5,000, invoiced after acceptance. Nothing is charged for the Review, and submitting it creates no obligation on either side. You remain the decision-maker and negotiator.
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Decision Guide
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