Ask HN: Advice about equity split
I recently joined a startup a few months back that was founded roughly two years ago. However, in that time period, they never released a product nor gained customers.
Since I've joined, a product has been released (100% my IP); we've gained a few customers; I've managed to narrow the scope of the business while honing in on our core value proposition.
Currently, the startup only has two people working on it - myself and the original founder. He had a couple other co-founders work on it over the years, but due to various uncontrollable factors, they are no longer working on the product.
When I signed on, I agreed to a status as co-founder and 25% equity, which I thought was fine. Now I know any percent of essentially $0 valuation is still 0, but I can't help feel I've really brought life into this startup and my contribution is more significant than 25%. The orginal co-founder, I recently found out, has around 60% equity, while the rest belongs to the other original founders (vesting, I guess).
I have 0 complaints about the original founder. While not technical, he works hard, is passionate, and seems to be doing the right things.
I haven't signed any document whatsoever, so my split is not set in stone or anything. Should I just throw this notion that I "deserve" a higher stake from my mind?
What are your thoughts?