First ESOP pool
Setting up the scheme from scratch.
- Pool size + cap-table impact
- Vesting + cliff curve
- Grant letter template
ESOP Design
ESOP design - the founder-friendly pool, vesting & exercise stack.
Beyond the scheme document, ESOP design covers pool sizing, vesting curves, exercise mechanics, accelerated vesting on liquidity events and Section 17(2) perquisite engineering - so employees stay aligned and tax exposure stays manageable.
Qualified CA / CS partners10-15 working daysBest for: Founders sizing their first ESOP pool
Starting at
₹19,999
ESOP Design
Founders sizing their first ESOP pool
Pool sizing model
Vesting + cliff design
Exercise mechanism notes
Section 17(2) tax workings
Timeline
10-15 working days
What it is
ESOP Design, explained in plain English.
ESOP design is the upstream advisory work before drafting an ESOP scheme - pool sizing relative to cap table, vesting schedule (cliff + monthly), exercise mechanism (cash, cashless, sell-to-cover), accelerated vesting triggers and Section 17(2) perquisite tax engineering for employees.
TL;DR
Get the pool size, vesting and exercise rules right before drafting the scheme. Most founders over-grant in Year 1 - we run cap-table model + tax workings first.
Key terms
The vocabulary you'll see on the portal.
Pool
% of share capital reserved for ESOPs - typically 10-15% pre-Series A, 7-10% post.
Cliff
Initial period (usually 12 months) before any options vest.
Exercise
Payment of strike price by the employee to receive shares - triggers Sec 17(2) tax.
Routes & scenarios
Match the situation to the right fix.
ESOP refresh / top-up
Existing scheme - adding grants or accelerating vesting.
- Top-up pool sizing
- Accelerated vesting events
- Rollover to ASRS / sweat equity
The process
ESOP Design - from kickoff to confirmation.
01
Cap-table model
Founders' equity, investor stake, ESOP pool sized; dilution modelled across rounds.
02
Design choices
Vesting curve, cliff, accelerated vesting, exit treatment finalised.
03
Tax workings
Section 17(2) perquisite + capital gains models; DPIIT 5-year deferment if eligible.
04
Handover
Hand-off to ESOP scheme drafting (Companies Act compliance) with all design choices baked in.
Documents required
What we'll need from you.
Upload via our secure portal. We pre-check every scan before filing - cuts portal rejections by ~90%.
Cap table
Latest valuation report
Investor SHA / term sheet
Existing ESOP scheme (if any)
Employee headcount + roles
Anticipated next-round plan
ESOP Design FAQ
Common questions, answered by partners.
Still unsure if ESOP Design is right for your case? Book a free 20-minute consult - a senior CA / CS will walk you through your specifics.
Still have questions?
Book a free 20-minute consult with a senior partner - we'll walk through your case and outline next steps.
Talk to a partner →Industry standard: 10-15% pre-Series A, 7-10% post-Series A, 5-7% at later stages. We model your specific case with hiring plan.
Ready when you are
Let's get your ESOP Design sorted this week.
A senior CA / CS will get on a call with you, confirm scope and start the work - usually within 24 hours.