IMO the reverse vesting is unjustified. You typically see it after raising a round, as a way for investors to protect against founders immediately leaving a newly funded company with shares that have &quot;real&quot; value now. Bringing on your CEO isn&#x27;t that kind of event; the reverse vesting only protects the new CEO, and he&#x27;s not putting in a real investment up front (an investor is putting in $X dollars today; your new CEO is building equity over time like you guys).<p>You and your technical cofounder should be compensated in equity for the two years&#x27; work you put in. If you get pushed out of the company before your cliff, you will have nothing to show for your efforts. I&#x27;d really fight for two years&#x27; vested stock up front.