Sessions · Advisor session
83(b) elections, founder vesting, and option pools
Thursday, May 21, 2026 · 12–1 PM PDT
This session has ended.
About this session
The decisions you make around equity in the first year of your company can have six-figure tax consequences — and most founders don't realize it until it's too late.
In this session, Daniel Neuman from Carney Law will break down the mechanics of 83(b) elections, founder vesting schedules, and option pool sizing - the foundational equity decisions that affect your tax bill, your cap table, and your leverage in future fundraising.
We'll cover:
- What an 83(b) election actually does and why missing the 30-day window can be incredibly expensive
- How to structure founder vesting so it protects co-founder relationships and satisfies investors
- Common mistakes founders make when setting up equity for early employees
Come with your questions. This is a small-group, interactive session. Not a lecture.
Hosting this session
Daniel Neuman
Shareholder, Attorney, Carney Law
Danny Neuman is a corporate and securities attorney who works closely with startups, emerging companies, and venture capital funds. He advises clients on a range of business and legal issues that often arise during the different stages of a company’s lifecycle. This includes helping founders and entrepreneurs with choosing the right business entity, navigating securities law and regulatory compliance, establishing strong corporate governance structures, and developing strategies to protect intellectual property. Danny also guides clients through mergers and acquisitions and serves as outside counsel on day-to-day legal and operational matters.Negotiating early-stage financings is one of Danny’s core strengths. He brings deep experience in guiding companies through capital raises from angels, venture capital funds, and strategic investors. With a strong understanding of commercial and intellectual property law, Danny frequently drafts and negotiates complex agreements, particularly those involving data privacy and technology licensing.
Founders, startup teams, investors and executives often turn to hm for direct, hands-on legal support. His clients span a range of industries, from software, e-commerce and virtual and augmented reality to life sciences, healthcare, manufacturing, real estate and hospitality. Known for his practical, business-oriented approach, Danny helps innovative companies manage risk, scale effectively and adapt to rapid change.
Before joining Carney, Danny worked at a boutique corporate and securities law firm in Tucson, Arizona, served in-house at a large aviation company, and completed a general counsel internship with a major defense contractor. A native of Seattle, he brings a strong regional perspective to his practice and remains deeply connected to the Pacific Northwest’s entrepreneurial and investment communities.
Next step
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For companies that have raised at least $1M from venture firms.