founder compensation needs to be strategically reviewed across 20+ years of investing, the number of times an investor proactively approached a founder about giving them more stock (or cash) comp: fewer than 5. it's not usually malice (though sometimes it is just being very shortsighted). it's just never top of mind. so founders get progressively underpaid. equity fully vests. go-forward equity drops to literally zero. five years in, complex life, still being paid like ramen-in-a-dorm-room days. nobody says anything until the founder reaches a breaking point. by then it's usually outrageous -- and sometimes it's too late. trust between founders and investors erode. a CEO that does not feel supported is the most predictable way to lose an otherwise strong investment. this isn't a feel-good issue. it's asset protection. the fix: make comp a standing annual board agenda item. and for seed funds that don't take traditional board seats -- being the trusted third party founders can call to navigate these conversations is one of the most valuable and overlooked things a GP can do to protect LP capital.