Splitting equity, revenue share and pay in a small team
General information on common ways small teams reward contributors, and when to get advice.
6 min read · Updated 10 October 2026
A note first
This guide is general information. It is not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules differ by country and by company type, so talk to a qualified adviser before you commit to anything that has value.
Four common models
Paid: a fixed fee for a scoped result. Simple, and best for short help.
Equity: a share of the company, often vesting over time, suited to people who will stay and carry risk.
Revenue share: a percentage of income from a product, suited to projects that can earn without becoming a company.
Learning credit or volunteering: a clear, fair exchange of experience, mentoring or a cause, with expectations written down.
Write it down early
Record who does what, how many hours, how decisions are made, what happens if someone leaves and who owns the work. Use the project decision log so everyone can see it.
Revisit the agreement when the team or the idea changes.
When to get advice
Get professional advice before issuing equity, signing anything about intellectual property or promising money you do not yet have.