Absolutely not — he vested founder's shares just like me. And then I continued to work with no salary and no additional vesting for years after that. Also, I was working full-time while he was working nights/weekends.

Perhaps don't assume the worst?

I assumed he got some $$$ - but did he want to be removed or did you tell him he was no longer needed? Was he just as sure that he was no longer needed as u were?

He was the one who walked. He still has his shares, of course.

Classic suit brain.

>> What so the person who "provided a lot of value in getting us to where we are" got ditched in the end? Is that your story? Use people and then chuck them to the curb once everything u need has been extracted?

Technologists beware -- some business co-founders will treat you honestly and you'll be paid fairly. And some will not. You need to read this comment and realize that both outcomes are possibles, especially once lawyers, VCs, and other business people get into the mix.

> especially once lawyers, VCs, and other business people get into the mix.

This is unfortunately true, since the VCs are only interested in the forward-looking value of the enterprise. They would prefer to dilute other shareholders (including founders — and especially former founders) to maximize future fundraising. And lawyers, of course, are happy to tell the VCs how to do this, regardless of what protections were put in place initially.