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Your startup equity document checklist

When a decision comes — a tender, an exit, leaving — you'll need your paperwork fast and in one place. Here's everything worth gathering now, and what each document tells you.

The documents to have

DocumentWhat it tells you
Grant noticeShare count, grant date, strike, vesting start.
Option / RSU agreementThe full terms — type, window, ROFR, acceleration.
The equity plan documentThe master rules your grant sits under.
Any 83(b) election + proof of filingCritical for early-exercised shares; keep the mailing receipt.
Exercise confirmations / share certificatesProof of what you actually own.
Latest 409A (if shared)Your strike basis and common-share FMV.
Cap-table statement / equity-portal exportsYour current position and vesting status.
Shareholders' agreement / SHA (EU)Transfer rules, drag/tag, pre-emption.

Keep them where you can reach them

Store copies outside your work email and laptop — you may lose access the day you leave, exactly when you need them most. A departure, a tender offer or a sudden acquisition all start a clock, and the person with their documents already organised is the one who makes a calm decision. When you're ready to turn them into numbers, the free estimator and tools use exactly these inputs.

Frequently asked questions

What documents do I need for my startup equity?
At minimum: your grant notice, your option or RSU agreement, the governing equity plan, any 83(b) election with proof of filing, exercise confirmations or share certificates, and your latest cap-table/equity-portal statement. In Europe, also the shareholders' agreement. Keep copies outside your work accounts.
Why keep copies outside my work email?
Because you usually lose access to work email and systems the day you leave — which is often exactly when a 90-day exercise window or a sale decision forces you to act. Having your equity documents in personal storage means a departure doesn't leave you scrambling.

Get the numbers before you decide

Free, no sign-up: estimate what your stake is worth, the cost to exercise, and whether you can sell.

Value my equity (free) → · All free tools → · Glossary →

When you're ready to go deeper, there's an optional Equity Toolkit and Report.

Read next

Read your option agreement · Documents to request before selling · 83(b) election (glossary) · All free tools

Sources & further reading

Primary references: IRS, the US SEC / Investor.gov and gov.uk / HMRC, plus established market practice, cross-checked against our PTS Open Framework. General information, not advice — your own documents and local law govern your situation.

Educational information only — not financial, tax or legal advice, and not an offer to buy or sell any security. Your own documents and local law govern your situation. PrivateTechShares is independent and not a broker or marketplace.