产品要全球化，创始人股权分配是否也要全球化？

Core Insights - The article discusses the evolving trend of equity distribution among founding teams in the context of globalization and the AI era, highlighting a shift from traditional unequal distributions to more equitable arrangements [1][25][30] - It emphasizes that equity distribution reflects the power structure, incentive mechanisms, and future development trajectories of companies, suggesting that a more balanced equity distribution may be beneficial for long-term success [1][9][28] Group 1: Trends in Equity Distribution - In the U.S., the trend of equal equity distribution among founding teams is becoming the norm, with the percentage of two-person teams opting for a 50-50 split rising from 31.5% in 2015 to 45.9% in 2024 [2][5] - For three-person founding teams, the proportion choosing equal equity has increased from 12.1% to 26.9% during the same period, indicating a significant shift towards equity equality [2][5] - The median equity distribution for two-person teams has narrowed from 60-40 in 2019 to 51-49 in 2024, showing a trend towards more equitable arrangements even when not perfectly equal [5][10] Group 2: Reasons Behind the Shift - The shift towards equal equity distribution is attributed to the professionalization of founder roles, where all founders are expected to be fully committed to the startup, making traditional hierarchical equity structures less justifiable [8][10] - The trend is particularly pronounced in technology-intensive sectors like AI and machine learning, where collaborative efforts are essential for success due to the complexity of products [10][26] - Equal equity distribution is associated with higher team cohesion and better performance in subsequent funding rounds, suggesting a positive correlation between equity equality and company success [9][10] Group 3: Y Combinator's Equity Philosophy - Y Combinator (YC) advocates for generous equity distribution among co-founders, emphasizing that equity should incentivize future contributions rather than reward past efforts [10][11] - YC's perspective highlights that the majority of a startup's work lies ahead, and early contributions should not disproportionately dictate equity splits [11][14] - The importance of maintaining founder motivation is underscored, as inequitable distributions can lead to resentment and decreased morale among team members [12][14] Group 4: Practical Strategies for Equity Distribution - In the context of globalization and AI, companies are encouraged to adopt near-equal equity distributions if all founders are fully committed and essential to the company's success [26][28] - Implementing vesting schedules and cliffs can protect the company while providing adequate incentives for founders, ensuring that equity distribution does not become a future liability [15][26] - The article suggests that equity distribution should reflect the actual contributions and commitments of founders, aligning with the company's long-term goals and global strategy [26][29] Group 5: Long-term Considerations - The article concludes that equity distribution is a critical factor influencing team dynamics, investor perceptions, and company culture, especially in the context of globalization and AI [30][31] - As more Chinese startups enter the global market, adopting internationally recognized equity distribution models may become increasingly common, enhancing competitiveness in the global landscape [31][32]