He compiled a list of startups with sane exercise windows:
The a16z link is astonishingly self-serving. Their top line solution was: “One existing solution to the ‘dead equity’ problem has been — and still can be — to make exceptions where appropriate for certain exiting employees. In fact, employers make exceptions all the time for certain employees, depending on their contribution to the company, critical skill set, and so on.” Riiiiiiight - asking nicely for a handout when you are quitting is a great strategy!!
And I would love to know how they come to this conclusion “In our model, we estimate that moving from the current 90-day window to a 10-year window will cost the average remaining employee as much as 80% in incremental dilution.” - just, wow.
The last unicorn I worked for had a ten year exercise window after employment ended.
Which is another way some startups screw people. If the company is not willing to budge on the "standard" 90-day exercise window, there shouldn't be any negotiation. Just walk away.