Stock option plans — ESOP
Design and implementation of equity incentive programs — stock options, phantom shares, RSUs — for tech and gaming companies with cross-border teams, covering plan structure, tax modelling, and compliance.
What our clients face
Competing for top talent beyond salary
You are hiring top talent and need more than salary to compete.
Preparing for a funding round
Your startup is preparing for a funding round and investors expect a formalized equity incentive plan.
Distributed team across jurisdictions
You have a distributed team across multiple jurisdictions and need a compliant, tax-efficient compensation structure.
Outgrown your current option plan
Your current option plan was drafted for one country and no longer fits your corporate reality.
Our approach
Jurisdiction and corporate structure analysis
Determining the optimal plan type (stock options, phantom shares, RSUs, ESPP) based on your entity form and countries involved.
Vesting mechanics design
Cliff periods, linear schedules, acceleration triggers aligned with retention goals.
Tax modelling
Implications for both the company and each employee jurisdiction (UAE, DIFC, ADGM, Cayman, BVI, US/Delaware, EU).
Regulatory compliance
Securities law and employment law requirements in each relevant jurisdiction.
Documentation package
Plan document, individual option agreements, board resolutions, and employee notices.
Cross-border coordination
Working with your local counsel in each jurisdiction where needed.
Stages of work
Audit
We review your corporate structure, cap table, and hiring geography to identify constraints and opportunities.
Plan design
We recommend a plan type and structure based on your jurisdiction, tax position, and retention goals.
Vesting schedule
We design the vesting mechanics, including cliff periods, leaver provisions, and change-of-control acceleration.
Tax analysis
We model the tax position for each jurisdiction where your employees are based, flagging withholding obligations and optimization strategies.
Documentation
We draft and finalize all plan documents, option agreements, and corporate resolutions.
Compliance calendar
We provide a calendar covering ongoing obligations: annual filings, exercise window notifications, and securities law triggers.
Discuss
the Task
Speak to our team
Speak to our team. Tell us about your task –
we’ll help you with it in any jurisdiction.