Ask HN: What type of compensation for 'Technology Adviser' type role?

5 points by throwmeaway32 ↗ HN
Hi,

-=My Background=-

- Software developer manager with 14 years experience in multiple software companies/roles.

-=Situation background=-

- For the past 6 - 8 months I've been in contact with a person who owns a company, giving some tech advice, thoughts, advice.

- Company has been around for a year or 2.

- They already have tech in place but is outsourced and the founder is non-technical; so honestly they are not sure if they have good software/are paying the right price etc.

- We've probably had contact 4-5 times.

- No payment or contract; although there has been vague talk of that in the future.

- I am perfectly happy with the chats we've had and it being casual/relationship building at the moment.

- I quite enjoy the market the company is in and like the idea of some kind of more formal advisory role going forwards.

-=Question=-

- What's the normal way in which compensation for this kind of role is handled? (It would be outside of my normal fulltime job). Some kind of retainer? A slice of equity? A nominal salary? Starbucks gift card....

- I'm not pressing hard for a position/role but would like to have my ducks in a row incase the conversation presents itself.

Thanks

4 comments

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I've seen advisors taking a fixed stock option package and/or regular fees in exchange for being available. You'd be a technical advisor just like their lawyer is their legal advisor so I'd structure it like a retainer plus hourly cost. Aim high if they want to add you to their about-us page, investor presentation or press release (http://blog.mapjam.com/openstreetmap-founder-steve-coast-joi...)
How would you calculate your hourly rate? same as if you were a contractor? thanks btw
Advisor to a startup: 0.25% to 0.75% vesting over two years. Time commitment is in the 1 meeting a month to 1 meeting per quarter.

Take a look at this legal template: https://fi.co/contents/fast#