Besides the environmental benefits, electronic vehicles help increase energy security by reducing fossil fuel dependency, and lower operating costs by up to 83%. The demand for electric buses is increasing at a rapid pace, with the global bus market expected to reach $58.62B in 2026, from $38.12B today, at a CAGR of 16.72%.
Founded in 2018, ADASTEC is the most advanced company in the full-size bus automation market and the only one with signed OEM agreements to deliver a complete factory-fitted solution. ADASTEC delivers the SAE Level-4 Automated Driving Software Platform, flowride.ai, for full-size buses. flowride.ai consists of modular automated driving software that runs on the bus, and the back-office platform, utilizing fault-tolerant sensors and HD-Maps with enhanced sensor fusion and deep learning techniques.
We&#39;d like to invite you to an online event that presents their solution with: 
➢ Dr Ali Peker, CEO of ADASTEC
➢ Eric Bartha, Deal Captain at SeedBlink
<a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlf-itpzooE9yCwNdiGvpc0AUXGO4DbgoC">Add to calendar</a>
ADASTEC Highlights
<ul>
<li>flowride.ai has been operational for two years in Michigan with NHTSA approval and 20 months in Norway with TUV Nord approval. Both implementations are market-first in the US and EU.</li>
<li>Has deployment experiences in the USA, Norway, France, Romania (see video) and Turkey.</li>
<li>5x more cost-efficient operationally than traditional buses.</li>
<li>Business Model: $100,000 set-up fee per bus and a yearly $50,000 license. </li>
<li>Founded by an experienced team of 5 complimentary co-founders, now at 75 FTEs (out of which 60 are engineers). </li>
</ul>
<a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlf-itpzooE9yCwNdiGvpc0AUXGO4DbgoC">Register now for the Pitch &amp; Q&amp;A</a>

AI & Mobility Tech | Join the conversation on Tuesday, June 13, 5PM CET

ADASTEC Pitch & Q&A | Developing the next generation of buses

Bucharest / Vienna, June 8: SeedBlink, the equity management and financing platform for European innovation, announced its expansion in DACH (Germany, Austria and Switzerland), to complement its expansion plans. 
Launched in early 2020, FinTech has quickly established itself in Central Eastern Europe and Benelux, the DACH region being the most recent focus for the tech-driven team. The co-investment platform has developed collaborations with prominent venture capital firms like SpeedInvest, Occident Group, Xista Science Ventures, or Elevator Ventures, as well as a strong partnership with Gateway Ventures, where the two platforms propose common deals. 
SeedBlink has so far contributed to DACH ecosystem funding with more than 1.3M euros, having among its portfolio companies German BioTech startup MK2 Biotechnologies, MedTech BrainHero that addresses children with Autism Spectrum Disease and ADHD, Swisspod, the Swiss start-up developing an ultra-high-speed ground transportation system, Fretello, the Austrian Edtech for guitar learning, and Tripmakery, a travel tech startup for large group bookings. 
SeedBlink recently launched a round for <a href="https://investors.seedblink.com/invest/nuumi/157">Nuumi</a> - a German Healthtech company looking to cure addictions and will launch in the coming period for <a href="https://smart-nanotubes.com/">SmartNanotubes</a> - a German Deeptech start-up that has developed the world&#39;s first mass-market gas detector chip. 
Eric Bartha, as SeedBlink’s Head of Investment Management, will be spearheading the DACH market entry. His role revolves around finding ambitious founders looking to add a European community of investors to their VC fundraising journey, as well as connecting with local partners and family offices. 
“Our official DACH presence is designed to accelerate investment in the region and capitalize on the highly active innovation and entrepreneurial landscape across all tech sectors, by opening access to the VC asset class to new audiences. It also provides a unique opportunity to further collaborate with local VCs, business angels&#39; groups, and family offices to leverage the dynamism of the German-speaking economy, with a focus on DeepTech and Life Sciences. By partnering up with local VCs and business angels, we are aiming to co-invest more than 1.5M Eur in 2023 in 8 start-ups and plan to double these volumes in 2024.”, said Eric Bartha, Head of Investment Management at SeedBlink. 
&quot;We are enthusiastic about SeedBlink&#39;s expansion into the DACH region. Their competence and expertise make them great partners, and we look forward to broadening our cooperation as co-investors. Together, we will continue to support and nurture innovative deep-tech companies and create a lasting impact in the startup ecosystem.&quot; said Bernhard Petermeier, Principal at Xista Science Ventures, a partner VC from Austria. 
SeedBlink’s mission is to grow equity ownership and open the door to wealth creation for more people. So far, the European platform has mobilized more 200 million euros into tech startups across the continent, through its network of individual investors and high-net-worth individuals. 
About SeedBlink  
SeedBlink is an equity management and tech-specialized venture investment platform that enables private investors to fund European tech startups and scale-ups alongside established institutional investors.   
SeedBlink Crowd SA is registered in the Register of the Romanian Financial Supervisory Authority (ASF), under number PJR28FSFPR/400001 as of 03.11.2022 with an EU passport as per European Securities and Market Authority (ESMA) register of crowdfunding services providers. Contact at email: <a href="mailto:&#x70;&#x72;&#x65;&#x73;&#115;&#x40;&#x73;&#x65;&#x65;&#x64;&#x62;&#x6c;&#x69;&#110;&#107;&#x2e;&#x63;&#x6f;&#x6d;">&#x70;&#x72;&#x65;&#x73;&#115;&#x40;&#x73;&#x65;&#x65;&#x64;&#x62;&#x6c;&#x69;&#110;&#107;&#x2e;&#x63;&#x6f;&#x6d;</a>.

The co-investment platform accelerates its expansion in Europe in 2023, after CEE and Benelux in 2022.   

SeedBlink expands in DACH region after mobilizing 200 million euros into European tech startups 

In today&#39;s era of increasing environmental consciousness and the urgent need to combat climate change, exploring carbon market trading presents interesting new opportunities. Carbon market trading, or emissions trading, has emerged as a transformative mechanism in the fight against climate change in an accountable, transparent way.
This article will delve into carbon market trading, revealing its immense investment potential and impact on a greener and more sustainable future.
Key takeaways:
<ul>
<li>The global carbon market value reached a record of $272 billion in 2020, with the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) being the largest contributor.</li>
<li>The European carbon market, particularly the EU ETS, is undergoing significant changes to achieve ambitious carbon neutrality goals, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030.</li>
<li>The voluntary carbon market provides a flexible and voluntary approach for companies to offset their emissions beyond regulatory requirements.</li>
<li>Participating in the voluntary market allows companies to proactively manage their environmental impact, enhance brand reputation, access economic opportunities, contribute to climate-friendly initiatives, and foster job creation and technological advancements.</li>
</ul>
<h1 id="understanding-carbon-market-trading">Understanding Carbon Market Trading</h1>
Carbon market trading establishes a market-based approach where greenhouse gas emissions are assigned a financial value. By trading emission allowances or credits, companies can buy, sell, and transfer their carbon footprint, incentivizing emission reductions and adopting cleaner technologies. 
The global voluntary carbon market aims for significant growth. 
The latest projections suggest a <a href="https://www.green.earth/blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-the-booming-carbon-credits-market">compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 42.91%</a> between 2022 and 2027. On top of it, the traded volume within the voluntary carbon market is expected to experience a robust CAGR of 14.69%. This shows us the immense potential of the voluntary carbon market in driving meaningful environmental change and fostering a greener future.
The European carbon market is increasingly linked with other global carbon markets, such as China and California. These linkages create new opportunities for international trade in carbon credits and promote global cooperation in mitigating climate change. 
However, they also pose new challenges in ensuring the compatibility of different carbon market systems and maintaining the integrity of carbon credits. 
<h2 id="10-advantages-of-carbon-market-trading">10 Advantages Of Carbon Market Trading</h2>
The role of carbon market trading in attaining environmental sustainability goals is enormous. Here are some of the most important ones we identified in the quest for a better understanding of this market: 
<ol>
<li>Provides a transparent and measurable framework for tracking and reducing emissions.</li>
<li>Allows countries and organizations to set emission reduction goals and track progress.</li>
<li>Encourages the development of CleanTech solutions and innovation.</li>
<li>Creates financial incentives for businesses to invest in environmentally friendly technology and practices.</li>
<li>Fosters cooperation among industry, governments, and financial organizations.</li>
<li>Encourages information exchange and the implementation of best practices for climate change mitigation.</li>
<li>Produces economic opportunities.</li>
<li>Encourages investment in renewable energy and green infrastructure.</li>
<li>Contributes to the development of new jobs.</li>
<li>Facilitates the transition towards a greener and more resilient economy.</li>
</ol>
<h2 id="the-european-trading-system">The European Trading System</h2>
The EU carbon market is undergoing significant changes in the coming years as part of the European Union&#39;s efforts to achieve its ambitious carbon neutrality goals by 2050. The most significant change is the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) revision. 
<a href="https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/eu-emissions-trading-system-eu-ets_en">The European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)</a> is the world&#39;s most extensive cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas emissions and is referred to as the EU trading scheme. The revised EU ETS aims to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, compared to 1990. 
Under this program, certain companies and power stations in the EU are assigned a restricted number of emission permits, each representing one ton of CO2 equivalent. These allowances can be purchased, sold, or transferred between participants.
Companies must comply with their carbon credit limits by adhering to certain obligations, which may vary depending on the specific carbon market and regulatory framework. Carbon credits, also known as carbon allowances, act as emissions permission slips issued by national or international governmental organizations. 
The first international carbon markets were created under the Kyoto and Paris Agreements. When a company purchases a carbon credit, generally from the government, it obtains authorization to emit one ton of CO2. Carbon money goes vertically from firms to regulators via carbon credits, while companies with extra credits can sell them to other companies.
<img src="/img/unnamed.jpg" alt="Understanding Carbon Credits" title="Understanding Carbon Credits">
Source:<a href="https://carboncredits.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-understanding-carbon-credits/"> Understanding Carbon Credits</a>
There are two types of global carbon markets, voluntary and compliance. Carbon credits are generally transacted in the carbon compliance market, while in voluntary markets, transactions are usually performed through carbon offsets.
<h2 id="obligations--penalties-in-carbon-market-trading-compliance">Obligations &amp; Penalties in Carbon Market Trading Compliance</h2>
Companies have several obligations imposed on them to comply with their carbon credit limits. Some common obligations include:
Monitoring and Reporting: Companies must correctly monitor and report their greenhouse gas emissions through the following: 
<ul>
<li>Measuring emissions from various sources.</li>
<li>Collecting pertinent data.</li>
<li>Reporting it to regulatory authorities or market administrators. </li>
</ul>
Verification and Auditing: In many cases, companies must undergo verification or auditing processes to ensure the accuracy and integrity of their reported emissions data:
<ul>
<li>Third-party verification by independent auditors.</li>
<li>Validation of the emissions data. </li>
<li>Compliance with carbon credit limits.</li>
</ul>
Holding Enough Carbon Credits: Companies must possess an adequate number of carbon credits to cover their emissions. These credits can be obtained through various means:
<ul>
<li>Purchasing them from the market.</li>
<li>Receiving allocations from the regulatory authorities. </li>
<li>Participating in emission reduction projects that generate credits.</li>
</ul>
Compliance Documentation: Companies are expected to maintain records and documentation demonstrating compliance with carbon credit limits. This includes keeping track of carbon credit transactions, emissions data, and any offsetting activities undertaken.
Penalties for Non-Compliance: Failure to comply with carbon credit limits can result in penalties or fines. Regulatory authorities can enforce compliance through penalties, which serve as deterrents and encourage companies to adhere to their obligations.
<h1 id="the-voluntary-carbon-market">The Voluntary Carbon Market</h1>
The voluntary carbon market has emerged as a complementary avenue for companies and countries to take proactive steps toward environmental sustainability. 
Retirements increased further in 2022, with a record monthly retirement total set in December 2022.
The number of carbon credits granted declined marginally compared to the previous year, with lower credit prices, a greater emphasis on quality inspections, and longer verification processes all contributing to a supply squeeze.
<img src="/img/unnamed-8-.png" alt="The voluntary carbon market: 2022 insights and trends" title="The voluntary carbon market: 2022 insights and trends">
Source: <a href="https://www.shell.com/shellenergy/othersolutions/carbonmarketreports.html#vanity-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2hlbGwuY29tL2NhcmJvbm1hcmtldHJlcG9ydHMuaHRtbA">The voluntary carbon market: 2022 insights and trends</a>
<h2 id="voluntary-carbon-market-vs-mandatory-market">Voluntary Carbon Market vs Mandatory Market</h2>
Unlike mandatory carbon markets that impose legal obligations on companies to comply with emission limits, the voluntary carbon market offers flexibility and a voluntary approach for organizations to offset their emissions voluntarily. 
This market allows businesses to purchase carbon credits from projects that have generated verified emission reductions or removals. This enables them to offset their emissions and contribute to global emission reduction efforts.
<h2 id="5-benefits-of-participating-in-the-voluntary-market-for-companies">5 Benefits of Participating in the Voluntary Market for Companies</h2>
The voluntary market allows companies to offset their emissions beyond regulatory requirements voluntarily. This helps bridge the emissions gap by encouraging additional reductions and other benefits, such as:
<ol>
<li>Participation in the voluntary carbon market enables businesses to manage their environmental effect proactively and comply with sustainability goals.</li>
<li>Voluntarily offsetting emissions demonstrates corporate social responsibility and enhances brand reputation.</li>
<li>Participation in the voluntary market opens up economic possibilities.</li>
<li>Companies may contribute to and invest in climate-friendly initiatives, fostering innovation in renewable energy, afforestation, and energy efficiency.</li>
<li>Investing in these initiatives helps to create jobs, progress technology, and foster the growth of sustainable habits.</li>
</ol>
<h1 id="cleantech-fintech-investment-opportunities">CleanTech Fintech Investment Opportunities</h1>
The intersection of CleanTech and Fintech is paving the way for a new era of carbon market trading. 
Despite overall global VC investment falling amidst geopolitical and economic uncertainties, specific sectors like Fintech and Cleantech have remained resilient and continue to attract significant interest from investors. In Q2&#39;22, the Americas and Europe stood out, with the Americas attracting $66.2B and Europe attracting $27.2B in VC funding. 
European CleanTech Fintech use cases demonstrate the diverse applications of financial technology in driving sustainable solutions across energy, carbon markets, supply chain management, and impact investing. They contribute to developing a greener economy by promoting clean energy, carbon reduction, energy efficiency, sustainable supply chains, and responsible investing.
These are some of the most famous European CleanTech Fintech use cases are: 
<h2 id="green-energy-financing-platforms">Green Energy Financing Platforms.</h2>
CleanTech Fintech firms are creating platforms that connect investors with renewable energy projects, allowing people and organizations to engage directly in clean energy ventures. 
<a href="https://www.lendahand.com/">Lendahand</a> (Netherlands) — is a crowdfunding platform that allows investors to fund renewable energy projects in emerging markets. They enable individuals to invest in solar, wind, and hydro projects, supporting sustainable energy generation in regions that need it the most.
<h2 id="carbon-offset-marketplaces">Carbon Offset Marketplaces.</h2>
CleanTech Fintech startups are creating digital marketplaces that facilitate the buying and selling carbon credits. 
<a href="https://climateseed.com/">ClimateSeed</a> (France) — ClimateSeed is a digital platform that connects businesses seeking to offset their carbon emissions with carefully vetted environmental projects. They enable companies to calculate and offset their carbon footprint by investing in high-quality carbon credits from certified projects worldwide.
<h2 id="sustainable-supply-chain-financing">Sustainable Supply Chain Financing.</h2>
CleanTech Fintech startups are focusing on sustainable supply chain financing solutions. 
<a href="https://circular-iq.com/">Circular IQ</a> (Netherlands) - Circular IQ provides a platform that enables companies to assess, manage, and improve the sustainability of their supply chains. Their software allows businesses to measure environmental performance, identify sustainability risks, and collaborate with suppliers to drive sustainable practices throughout the supply chain.
<h2 id="impact-investing-platforms">Impact Investing Platforms.</h2>
CleanTech Fintech firms are creating investment platforms focusing on impact investing in environmental and sustainable projects. 
<a href="https://trine.com/">Trine</a> (Sweden) - Trine is an impact investment platform that connects individuals with investment opportunities in solar energy projects in emerging markets. They allow investors to finance solar installations in off-grid areas, providing clean energy access to communities and generating positive environmental and social impact.
<h2 id="planboo--using-technology--carbon-financing-to-fight-climate-change">Planboo — Using Technology &amp; Carbon Financing to Fight Climate Change</h2>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t7n4Z9HuDLU" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<a href="https://planboo.eco/">Planboo</a> is a climate tech company focusing on tropical regions&#39; biochar production. Biochar, derived from organic materials, is a carbon-rich substance that aids in carbon removal from the atmosphere. Planboo utilizes an accredited tracking system to ensure the transparency and reliability of biochar production, providing certified carbon removal credits and direct finance to areas most in need.
Planboo has an active round, targeting €330.000, with €200.000 pre-committed money, and <a href="https://rockstart.com/">Rockstart</a> as the lead investor - an AgriTech fund based in Nordics and active in Benelux and worldwide and specialized in pre-seed.
<a href="https://investors.seedblink.com/invest/planboo/152">Take a look at Planboo.</a>
--
Carbon market trading presents a transformative mechanism in the fight against climate change, offering unique opportunities for CleanTech Fintech investment and promoting a greener and more sustainable future. 
With its ongoing revisions and ambitious goals, the European carbon market demonstrates the region&#39;s dedication to combating climate change. 
As the global community recognizes the urgent need for carbon removal and emission reductions, carbon market trading becomes vital in achieving a more sustainable future for future generations.

Unlock new opportunities in CleanTech Fintech investment by exploring the potential hidden in carbon market trading. 

Carbon Market Trading: Opportunities at the intersection of CleanTech & Fintech

Today is all about The Power of Equity while <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-power-of-equity-navigating-esops-and-cap-table-dynamics-tickets-632533413467">Navigating ESOPs and Cap Table Dynamics</a>. We are taking the time to extract the lessons from the event with the same name hosted by SeedBlink, on May 23rd.
We had the honour to have as guest speakers:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marius-istrate-b8ab0566/">Marius Istrate</a>, angel investor and Growth Adviser; </li>
<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rzvncs/">Razvan Neacsu</a>, the Head of Legal at FintechOS; </li>
<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/vlad-druta/">Vlad Druta</a>, M&amp;A Lawyer from AxPartners; </li>
<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/radugeorgescu/">Radu Georgescu</a>, Chairman of the Board at SeedBlink; </li>
<li>and<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreihancu/"> Andrei Hancu</a>, the General Counsel at SeedBlink. </li>
</ul>
We summarized in this article the key highlights from the two enlightening sessions held during the event: ESOP &amp; Cap Table Management. While discussing these two topics, we’ll address the implications and implementation from a business and legal perspective. 
Keep reading as we unravel below the key takeaways from these thought-provoking sessions!
<h1 id="esop--its-value-for-startups">ESOP &amp; Its Value for Startups</h1>
Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) have emerged as a valuable resource for startups, offering various benefits and contributing to their success. 
By implementing ESOPs, startups build a culture of ownership among their employees, ensuring a shared commitment to the company&#39;s growth and prosperity. These plans also play a vital role in attracting and retaining key hires, providing enticing incentives linked directly to the startup&#39;s performance. 
<h1 id="mindset--creating-a-sense-of-ownership">Mindset — Creating a Sense of Ownership</h1>
ESOPs generate a sense of ownership among employees beyond mere motivation or engagement. 
Implementing an ESOP makes individuals genuinely invested in the company&#39;s success. This can prove immensely valuable as employees feel a personal stake in the company&#39;s growth and outcome. 
Key takeaways: 
<ul>
<li>Despite the high failure rate of startups historically, employees are still interested in stock options as they see it as a chance to succeed.</li>
<li>ESOPs are a good fit in a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, as employees take personal responsibility for the company&#39;s performance.</li>
<li>Option plans are not primarily about motivation or engagement but about creating a sense of ownership and encouraging employees to ask questions and understand the business better.</li>
</ul>
The shift in mindset empowered by this type of plan creates a collaborative work environment and drives long-term success for the company and its workforce.
<h1 id="attracting-key-hires-with-limited-resources">Attracting Key Hires with Limited Resources</h1>
ESOPs can be a highly effective incentive for startups with limited cash resources to attract critical hires. 
As the company grows and its value increases, the options granted through ESOPs can become a significant part of the employee&#39;s compensation. This encourages long-term commitment and loyalty to the company.
Key takeaways: 
<ul>
<li>ESOPs enable startups to compete for top talent in a competitive job market.</li>
<li>When bringing people on board, discussing the total value they can receive in the company over the years and designing a compensation package that aligns with their ambitions is essential.</li>
<li>Stock options can help with retention by giving employees a sense of long-term commitment and potential rewards.</li>
<li>Employees become active participants in decision-making processes and directly impact the value of their shares and the company&#39;s overall success.</li>
</ul>
<h1 id="presenting-growth-scenarios">Presenting Growth Scenarios</h1>
During discussions with new potential hires or current employees, employers should provide a realistic plan that includes the company’s growth scenarios.
When looking at the current situation and the best or worst possible scenarios, people get a better picture of what to expect from the future. This way, they learn how their employee stock option plan comes into play in the long term and have transparency on future outcomes.
Key takeaways: 
<ul>
<li>ESOPs involve the creation of new shares through stock option programs instead of using existing shares.</li>
<li>Conservative, normal, and optimistic — three typical scenarios when assessing the value of what is being given away through this type of plan.</li>
<li>Maintaining a separate share pool for ESOP — founders can allocate shares specifically for employee ownership, facilitating a clear and transparent system.</li>
</ul>
<h1 id="implementing-a--role-based-framework-for-esop">Implementing a Role-Based Framework for ESOP</h1>
Implementing a role-based approach maximizes the effectiveness of ESOPs in motivating and rewarding employees. Allocations should be based on a well-designed framework that considers the unique needs and incentives of different roles within the company. 
Key takeaways:
<ul>
<li>Design a framework that meets the needs of each role.</li>
<li>Different roles in the company may have distinct salary structures and incentives.</li>
<li>Taking salary components into account, especially for roles that involve commissions or bonuses, helps align expectations effectively.</li>
</ul>
Understanding the incentives that drive different roles, such as commissions for sales roles and higher base salaries for engineers, ensures fair and appropriate ESOP allocations.
<h1 id="esop--legal-considerations">ESOP — Legal Considerations</h1>
Contrary to popular belief, implementing ESOPs from a legal standpoint is more manageable than it may seem. Proper administration and compliance are necessary to respect the rights of option holders and avoid potential legal issues.
Seeking the guidance of a lawyer can ensure proper implementation. Additionally, using <a href="https://www.nimity.com/equity-management">specialized equity management software</a>, such as Nimity, can aid in managing ESOPs effectively and efficiently.
Key takeaways:
<ul>
<li>It&#39;s important to consult legal counsel to understand the legalities and details of ESOPs and stock options in specific cases.</li>
<li>The terms &quot;good leavers&quot; and &quot;bad leavers&quot; exist in ESOPs to handle various scenarios, including employees leaving voluntarily, restructuring, or forced termination.</li>
<li>Underperformance is not a grey area; legal counsel can guide companies in handling different circumstances.</li>
</ul>
Startups need to be cautious and plan to avoid potential disputes over promised options or shares.
<h1 id="creating-new-shares-through-stock-option-programs">Creating New Shares through Stock Option Programs</h1>
Founders must understand that ESOPs always involve the creation of new shares rather than giving away existing ones. 
Stock option programs establish a pool of shares that are allocated to employees. The size of this pool depends on the company&#39;s stage and expected growth potential. 
Key takeaways:
<ul>
<li>Founders can also be part of the ESOP, especially if they have been significantly diluted in the initial financing stages of the company.</li>
<li>Depending on the jurisdiction and company structure, stock options through ESOPs could be used for advisors and freelance consultants. Still, they may need to be more suitable for customers or clients.</li>
<li>The process of granting options involves approving the plan, giving the options to the employee through a grant agreement, and determining triggers for exercising the options.</li>
<li>The options grant agreement entitles the employees to exercise their options and become shareholders in the company.</li>
<li>The exercise of options does not automatically make an employee a shareholder. Shares need to be issued and transferred to complete the process.</li>
</ul>
Using stock options to remove bad investors or reshuffle the cap table is impractical, as stock options usually represent a small portion of the company&#39;s share capital.
<h1 id="conclusions">Conclusions</h1>
In summary, ESOPs offer numerous advantages, especially for startups. 
They instil a sense of ownership among employees, attract the best hires, and provide a framework for incentivizing and retaining talent. Proper legal guidance and a good software management tool are crucial for successful implementation. 
Stay tuned for other events organized by <a href="https://seedblink.com/">SeedBlink</a> and <a href="https://www.nimity.com/">Nimity</a> focusing on equity, ESOP, and cap table topics. We aim to bring together industry experts, legal professionals, and experienced practitioners who will share their expertise and provide valuable guidance.

Discover the power of equity dynamics and ESOPs. Explore key takeaways from our event, empowering you to optimize your company's equity strategies.

Mastering Equity Management: Insights from The Power of Equity Event by SeedBlink

I love the SeedBlink ecosystem and the opportunities provided for the broader community. The angel investing ecosystem in Europe is pretty immature – finding great deals or handling the paperwork for equity investments is expensive and time-consuming. Creating a marketplace for great deals and providing low-effort crowdfunding is introducing more and more people to startup investing. The lower bar (minimum requirements) makes this accessible to first-time investors, too.


Mario Peshev

The first profit made was a moment I had been waiting for since the first investment. The multiplication factor is lower than I dreamed, but I realised what the whole investment process means from end to end. That gives me confidence for the future.


Ioan Tararache

I am happy to be part of the first exit in the platform's history. This event paves the way for many more investment successes for investors and Seedblink. The exit from Sanopass is a success because of the return achieved through a smooth and unimpeded investment process. Congratulations to all parties involved in the process.


Sebastian-Alexandru Pop

Sanopass was my first investment through SeedBlink, and here it is, my first success! It also came as a surprise at a very bearish time on the whole investment front, making the otherwise excellent return even more impactful for me. The SeedBlink operation is worth mentioning, everything went very smoothly and with minimal effort on my part.


Mircea Capatina

SeedBlink sits midway between an angel investor community and a VC fund. Through its partnerships with high-profile VC funds, it offers its investors the unique opportunity of investing alongside VC powerhouses in startups with great potential. As an investor, I run an exhaustive financial and legal, due diligence process before committing an investment. Market perspectives (e.g. TAM and barriers to entry), financial KPIs, customer base and commercial relationships, legal protections and experience of the management team are some of the key aspects I look into when studying an investment opportunity. SeedBlink offers a unique channel for regrouping all this information on a single platform for the use of all its business angles.


Octavian David

As an unsophisticated investor with no significant experience in investing in general, SeedBlink primarily gave me the opportunity to better understand what equity crowdfunding entails and the associated risks. Thus, I decided to invest in early-stage technology companies, as technology is an area of interest for me. The fact that the amounts I invested through SeedBlink Club are relatively small, helped me diversify my portfolio and actively look for opportunities to grow it. 

The platform offers advantages and tools that have helped me in my decision-making: experienced management, diverse offering of tech startups, intuitive, ever-growing platform and easy investment process, a team that responds promptly to questions, ability to ask startups questions, regular reports and access to informative content, and a community of industry experts that is accessible through Seedblink Club. I also appreciate the fact that women are encouraged to invest, with the experiences of other women who have invested being shared.


Raluca Coman

SeedBlink is where I decided to start experimenting with a new type of investment. In our family, we are passionate about real estate, so this kind of investment has always been the most comfortable for us. The stock market is more of interest to my husband, but I like more the openness that start-ups offer, the vision, the way I can feel the future of consumers, and the Seedblink platform is the right place where I can get in touch with these new companies that have a lot of potential, where I see the financials that interest me but also the innovative ideas and their growth potential.  So far, I have invested in 2 start-ups on the platform and a 3rd one off it.


Oana Gauca

The Seedblink platform and concept is the first, very important step that Romania has taken in the area of investment in private companies, especially among early-stage companies. The platform's design, the way it is used and the interaction with Seedblink members, is exceptional, especially considering the relatively short time that has elapsed since the start of this project. We look forward to seeing a richer pipeline of investment projects expanding to Central and Western Europe; we look forward to seeing how the secondary market for these investments will evolve and, last but not least, building a community of investors, entrepreneurs and professionals that will accelerate the creativity and expansion of companies beyond Romania's borders.


Mihai Faur

SeedBlink is a platform that saves me time when searching for proven startups. It has very good exposure to the region I am looking for: Eastern and Central Europe. It provides a good opportunity to invest together with other VC companies, which was not so easy before.


Traycho Ivanov

What I appreciate the most about SeedBlink is all the diversity and the fast pace of bringing in new rounds, therefore new opportunities to invest. As an investor, I prefer to make my own selection, based on my knowledge areas, so that I can make relevant judgements of the capacity of the teams presented to execute their visions.


Linda Vasilescu

I was offered the opportunity to sell my share after a 5-fold increase in one year. It also seemed appropriate from the perspective of closing the investment cycle, facilitated by the SeedBlink platform through the secondary market - an advantage for investors investing in the early stages of a startup.


Mircea Vădan

The SeedBlink platform offers a simple and highly streamlined exit process. Selling the shares took very little time and SeedBlink mediated the process very efficiently.


Cristian Ignat

The Cyscale exit was an opportunity for me to test the other side of the Seedblink experience: making a return on past investments. The process went faster than expected (approximately a month and a half), the steps being completed without any significant obstacles. This definitely gave me more confidence to invest in the companies on Seedblink, and I am looking forward to the moment when the secondary market will become operational to open more opportunities for investors.


Cătălin 

I appreciate that, through the Cyscale exit, I have gone through a complete cycle in my relationship with SeedBlink and have covered the entire flow of the platform, from opportunity analysis and entry into the Cyscale project to the exit managed by SeedBlink. This validation gives me the confidence to continue my exposure to startups through this platform. The most valuable experience comes from managing the steps, procedures and paperwork in the investor-startup relationship, which are managed by the platform, saving time and resources for the investor.


Florin Pop

I have already recommended SeedBlink to my friends. The main reason is that you have access to powerful European investment opportunities unavailable elsewhere. The learning resources you can find on Seedblink and the community convinced me to use the platform.


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