Startup Advisor

Also called Advisor

An experienced person who guides a startup informally, on strategy, introductions, or a domain, usually in exchange for a small equity grant rather than a salary.

Why it matters

The right advisor opens doors and helps founders avoid known mistakes, and their name can lend credibility. But advisors vary widely in value, so it is worth being selective and structuring the relationship and equity clearly.

For example

A startup brings on an advisor who has scaled a similar company, trading a small equity grant for monthly guidance and warm introductions.

Related terms

Advisory Shares Board Observer Co-Founder

Go deeper

See how founders actually handle this on Co-founders, team and legal, part of the Starting Up hub.

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