• The Basics of Equity Compensation: Making Sense of Your Stock

    If you work at a private or public company, chances are your compensation package includes more than just a paycheck. Many companies — especially in tech and high-growth industries — also grant equity compensation. It’s a way to make you an owner in the business, sharing in its success if the company grows. But here’s…

  • Is a Financial Advisor Right for You? How to Decide and What to Ask

    Managing your money can be one of the most rewarding – and overwhelming – parts of your financial life. Whether you’re dealing with equity compensation, planning for retirement, or simply trying to balance saving, investing, and spending, the choices can feel complicated. A financial advisor can help simplify those decisions, create a clear plan, and…

  • You’ve Got Tender Offer Proceeds – Now What?

    Selling shares in a tender offer can be a big financial milestone. Suddenly, equity you’ve been holding for years turns into real cash in your account. But with opportunity comes responsibility: what you do next can have a lasting impact on your financial future. Here are 3 questions you can ask yourself as you think…

  • Understanding Taxes When Selling Private Stock and Options

    Your company stock can be one of the most valuable parts of your compensation. But how much you actually keep when you sell depends heavily on taxes. Whether you’re holding stock options, RSUs, or restricted stock awards, understanding the basics of long-term vs. short-term gains, cost basis, and holding periods is essential to making the…

  • RSUs = Corporate IOUs

    If you’ve been granted Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), think of them as a kind of corporate IOU. Your company is saying: “If you stick around and meet certain conditions, we’ll give you stock.” RSUs are one of the most common forms of equity compensation in private and public companies alike, and they can be a…

  • You’ve Got Options: What to Know About ISOs and NSOs

    If you’ve been granted stock options by your company, congratulations – you’ve got options, literally. Stock options can be a powerful tool for building wealth, but they also come with rules, tax implications, and decisions that can feel overwhelming. Two of the most common types you’ll encounter are Incentive Stock Options (ISOs) and Non-Qualified Stock…

  • RSAs and 83(b)s: What to Know About Your Equity Awards

    When it comes to equity compensation, most people hear about stock options or RSUs. But there’s another type of award that shows up, especially at early-stage startups: Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs). If you’ve received RSAs — or you’re considering filing an 83(b) election — it’s important to understand how they work and what they mean…

  • SPVs: Massive Growth, Here to Stay

    The SP500, Nasdaq100, DJII and Russell 2000 all hit all-time highs this week which, has only occurred on 25 other days this century. YTD the S&P500/Nasdaq100 are now +12/+14%. In our view, positive performance was driven by continued optimism about the prospects for rate cuts, beginning with the next Fed meeting on 9/17, despite inflation…

  • Nasdaq Private Market Enhances Capital Solutions Capabilities with Key Hires

    NEW YORK and SAN FRANCISCO – September 17, 2025 – Nasdaq Private Market (NPM), a leading provider of secondary liquidity for private companies, investors and employee shareholders, announced today two key hires in the continued buildout of its Capital Solutions business. Jason Gilbert and Justine Fisher each bring decades of institutional experience to the team,…

  • Valuations Up, Margins Down

    Public markets were flattish over the past week, with the S&P500/Nasdaq100 0%/+1%. YTD the S&P500/Nasdaq100 are now +12/+14%. In our view, positive performance was driven by continued optimism about the prospects for rate cuts, beginning with the next Fed meeting on 9/17, despite inflation data on 9/11 that was “hotter” than expected. Our NPM Private…