As startup equity becomes a more significant part of compensation, managing and tracking it effectively is crucial. That’s where an equity portal like Shareworks comes in. Shareworks aka Solium is owned by Morgan Stanley and is a top choice for startups and employees alike, simplifying the process of managing stock options, keeping track of valuations, and making informed decisions about exercising shares. Here’s an in-depth look at what Shareworks offers and how it can help employees make the most of their equity.

What is an Equity Portal?

An equity portal is a secure online platform where employees can view, track, and manage their stock options and other equity holdings. For many startups, equity portals have become essential tools for transparency and communication around stock-based compensation. By offering a centralized place for equity-related information, employees can access details like vesting schedules, grant information, Fair Market Value (FMV), and even exercise options directly.

Shareworks stands out as one of the more popular equity portals, known for its straightforward and simple design.

What Can Employees Do on Shareworks?

Shareworks allows employees to view and manage their equity in one place. Here’s a breakdown of what can be done on the platform.

• View Equity: Shareworks displays all the relevant information on your equity grants, including but not limited to your grant date, number of options, strike price, and number of vested options.
• Exercising: Shareworks allows employees to exercise their stock options in the portal.
• Valuation: One thing Shareworks does better than its competitor Carta is show employees how much their options are worth: Shareworks by default shows the value of vested options at FMV, but often times allows the ability to see their value at the Last Round Preferred Price paid by Venture Capitalists.

Why Shareworks Matters for Startup Employees

For startup employees, understanding the value and potential of their stock options is essential for making the most of their equity. Shareworks' platform gives you the tools to track, exercise, and manage your options in one place, helping you make informed decisions and avoid potential pitfalls. From monitoring FMV to assessing value, Shareworks’ features are tailored to give employees control over their equity.

Whether you’re considering exercising or need to know your vesting schedule, Shareworks makes it all accessible. And if you're looking to maximize the value of your options, ESO Fund is here to help by providing the funds to exercise your options risk-free. With ESO Fund, you can go long on your equity without the upfront costs or financial risk.

For more insights into startup equity and how to make the most of your options, check out ESO Fund’s comprehensive resources on equity and stock options, including our AMT Calculator.

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Written by Jordan Long, Marketing Lead at ESO Fund