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Former Uber Employees Have Gone Into Debt To Hang Onto Shares They Can't Sell (qz.com)
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Quartz: Uber employees are lining up to sell their stock to Japanese technology giant SoftBank, which will buy up to 17% of outstanding shares for $33 each. The price represents a 30% discount to Uber's last valuation, of nearly $70 billion, but for current and former employees, the SoftBank tender offer is a rare chance to convert paper wealth into actual cash. To qualify for the tender offer, participants must have at least 10,000 Uber shares and be "accredited investors," an SEC designation (pdf) for wealthy individuals. Current Uber employees can't sell more than half of their stake; there are no restrictions on former employees. The deal is on the table until Dec. 28, and could fall through if there aren't enough shares on offer for SoftBank and a small consortium of other investors to purchase at least a 14% stake in the company.
Working at a successful startup is often viewed as a quick path to prosperity, but the reality is more complicated. Startups tend to offer equity packages, typically in the form of stock options, to compensate for below-market salaries. But as companies like Uber have stayed private longer, most employees haven't been able to get rich from those shares. Quite the opposite, some former Uber employees have gone into debt to hang onto shares they still can't sell.
Working at a successful startup is often viewed as a quick path to prosperity, but the reality is more complicated. Startups tend to offer equity packages, typically in the form of stock options, to compensate for below-market salaries. But as companies like Uber have stayed private longer, most employees haven't been able to get rich from those shares. Quite the opposite, some former Uber employees have gone into debt to hang onto shares they still can't sell.
To get your money. Nice trick huh?
Well that's some completely fucking worthless advice. Here's my advice - don't ever assume that any stock options offered to you are ever going to be worth anything. Don't ever make financial decisions assuming that stock options will ever translate into actual stock.
The way options are taxed can make them kind of a bum deal. Depending on whether you're getting NSOs or ISOs, the price, and when you exercise your options can cost or save thousands.
Personally, I'd rather have a higher salary. Options are a nice bonus but, as in Uber's situation, they can also be a financial burden.
That's our life, the big wheel of shit. - The Fat Man, Blue Tango Salvage