Startups Stack Exchange Archive

Can I exercise my stock options years after leaving the company?

• posted by: Thomas on 2015-10-16
• tagged: stock-options, vesting
• score: 2

Im a little confused with the term “to vest”. Let’s say I have some stock options where I get 100% of the stock that was promised after 4 years working at the startup (with 1 year cliff).

After 2 years I decide to quit. I have 50% of stock options. Can I wait like 10 years to get the cash or do I HAVE TO get the cash right when I leave the company ?

N.B : I don’t have a contract yet, I just want to know what is the normal case, if any

Answer 7590

• posted by: Xeros on 2015-10-17
• score: 1

Usually you have to decide within 90 days after leaving the company.

I highly recommend you to read the following articles:

• http://blog.alexmaccaw.com/an-engineers-guide-to-stock-options
• http://maxschireson.com/2011/08/23/startup-stock-options-explained/
• https://gigaom.com/2011/06/05/5-mistakes-you-cant-afford-to-make-with-stock-options/

There is a lot to consider about stock options …

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