The Very First Mistake Most Startup Founders Make

Rigid equity splits cause problems down the line.

by

Noam Wasserman

and

Thomas Hellmann

by

Noam Wasserman

and

Thomas Hellmann

February 23, 2016

This article was updated on February 25.

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NW

Noam Wasserman, a longtime Harvard Business School professor, is now dean of the Sy Syms School of Business at Yeshiva University in New York City. A former venture capitalist and entrepreneur, he is the author of the bestsellers The Founder’s Dilemmas and Life Is a Startup.
TH

Thomas Hellmann is the Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Saïd School of Business, University of Oxford, the Academic Director of its Entrepreneurship Centre, and a long-time researcher and teacher of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial finance.

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Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Business Case Development. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.

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The Very First Mistake Most Startup Founders Make

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