Startup equity is hard to turn into money.
We do that work for you.

Whether you are trying to exercise options or sell shares you already own, start with the math, then see every path that fits your situation.

I have options to exercise

See what it costs, what the tax looks like, and how to fund it.

Run your numbers
I own shares

See what they are worth, who is buying, and what your company allows.

See what your shares are worth

Running your numbers and searching the market is free.

Know exactly what it costs before you decide.

Most people find out what exercising costs when the bill arrives. Enter your numbers and see the exercise cost, the tax, and the total cash you would need. It takes about a minute and you do not have to talk to anyone.

Your estimate
Exercise cost$78,400
Estimated AMT$41,200
Total cash required$119,600
Days left in window37
Illustrative figures. Your estimate is built from your own numbers.
How MoveWealth helps

MoveWealth finds solutions you'd never think to look for

Most firms offer one product, so that is the one they tell you about. Three declines and people reasonably assume nothing exists for them. We work the whole market on your behalf and come back with everything that fits.

Paths for your position
Secondary salePossible fit
Non-recourse financingPossible fit
Share-secured lendingPossible fit
Home equityPossible fit
Cashless exerciseNot available
Structures only. Specific terms are sourced for you and vary by provider.

And we will tell you when nothing works.

Sometimes the answer is that your company blocks transfers, or no buyer will pay what you need. We say so, early, instead of running you through a process that dies at the end. Then we keep watching and let you know when it changes.

Your result
Secondary saleNot available
Your company does not currently permit transfers of common shares, so nothing clears today at your target price.
Watch this company for changes
Illustrative. We track your company and tell you when something changes.
Your Options

Most employees only hear about one option.
MoveWealth shows you all of them.

Secondary sale
Selling some or all of your shares to an outside buyer, where your company permits it. Subject to company approval and transfer restrictions, and dependent on buyer demand in your company's shares.
Availability depends on your company's policies and the market.
Non-recourse financing
Covers your exercise cost and taxes with no monthly payments, in exchange for a share of your equity's upside at exit. Often used for larger exercises where you would rather not take on debt. We walk you through whether it fits your situation before connecting you with a partner.
Forward contract
An agreement to deliver shares at a future liquidity event in exchange for cash now. It can give you money today while keeping you invested. Availability depends on your company and your position.
Share-secured lending
A loan secured by your shares rather than your income. Terms depend on your company and the lender, and it usually requires the company to permit a pledge of the shares.
Requires the company to allow a pledge of the shares.
HELOC
A home equity line of credit, secured by your home rather than your company equity, if you own a home with equity. You repay over time and no company equity is involved.
Only applies if you own a home with available equity.
Personal loan
A standard unsecured loan from a bank or online lender. Typically used for smaller exercise costs and depends on your income and credit.
Cashless / net exercise
Some companies let you exercise without paying cash by withholding a portion of your shares to cover the cost and taxes. It requires employer participation and is not available everywhere.
Availability depends on your company's plan.

Not sure which path fits? Start with your numbers.

Run your numbers
Get started

Start with your numbers.

Whether you are trying to exercise or trying to sell, start with the math. Create an account to see which paths fit your situation and to get updates on your company when the market moves.

Running your numbers and searching the market is free.

Get started

Contact us.

Talk to a real human. Yes, really.

We will get back to you by email. By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your inquiry.

Thanks. We will be in touch.

A real person will get back to you by email. Want your numbers now? You can run the estimator any time.

Run your numbers
For Partners

Partner with MoveWealth.

MoveWealth manages the option exercise process for startup employees end to end, from their first cost estimate through deciding what to do with their shares afterward, whether that is financing, a secondary sale, or longer term wealth planning. We deliver qualified, transaction ready shareholders, application complete and equity verified, to the partners who make that possible. If you are a financing provider, secondary buyer, wealth advisor, or investor, tell us how you work and we will follow up.

Tell us about your firm.

A member of our team will follow up by email.

We will get back to you by email. This form is for partnership inquiries and is not an offer of any product or service.

Thanks. We will be in touch.

A member of our team will follow up by email to talk through how we might work together.

FAQ

Common questions.

When you leave a startup, you typically have 90 days to exercise your vested stock options before they expire. Exercising means paying the strike price, and for NSOs or disqualifying ISO dispositions, taxes as well. After the window closes, unexercised options are usually forfeited with no compensation. Use our estimator to see exactly what exercising would cost you.
The cost to exercise equals the strike price multiplied by your number of shares, plus any taxes triggered at exercise. For ISOs, the spread between strike and fair market value can trigger Alternative Minimum Tax. For NSOs, that spread is taxed as ordinary income. A typical exercise at a mid to late stage company runs from $30,000 to $250,000. Our estimator calculates your exact number in under a minute.
Yes. MoveWealth connects startup employees to third-party financing partners who fund option exercises. Options include recourse loans, personal loans, and HELOCs. MoveWealth is a platform, not a lender, and never charges the employee. Run the estimator to see your total cash needed and your options.
Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) is a parallel tax system that can apply when you exercise Incentive Stock Options and hold the shares. The spread between your strike price and the fair market value at exercise is an AMT preference item, which can create a tax bill even though you have not sold any shares. This is the most common surprise cost when exercising ISOs. Our estimator includes an AMT estimate.
ISOs (Incentive Stock Options) generally do not trigger ordinary income tax at exercise, but the spread can trigger AMT. NSOs (Non-Qualified Stock Options) are taxed as ordinary income on the spread at exercise, whether or not you sell. The same paper gain can produce very different tax bills depending on which you hold.
Most option grants give you 90 days after leaving a company to exercise your vested options. If you do not exercise within that window, the options typically expire and are forfeited. Some companies offer extended windows, but 90 days is standard, which is why departing employees often face an urgent and expensive decision.
Yes. Several financing paths can cover the cost, including recourse loans, HELOCs, personal loans, and cashless exercise where available. MoveWealth estimates your full cost and connects you to financing partners who fund exercises, so you do not have to let valuable options expire because of the upfront cost. Start with the estimator to see your number.
Non-recourse financing covers your exercise cost and taxes with no monthly payments, in exchange for a share of your equity's upside at exit, typically 20 to 40 percent plus fees. A traditional recourse loan is repaid from income and does not take a share of your equity. Each fits different situations.
MoveWealth is free for startup employees to use, including the estimator and our management of your exercise. We are paid by our financing and liquidity partners when we connect them with qualified, transaction ready shareholders.
No. MoveWealth is an AI-native platform that connects startup employees to third-party financing partners. It does not issue loans or make credit decisions. Financing is provided by independent lending partners.
No. MoveWealth is not a broker-dealer or a registered investment advisor. We help you understand your options and manage your exercise, then connect you with licensed partners who handle any financing or transaction.
A cashless or net exercise lets you exercise options without paying cash by withholding a portion of your shares to cover the exercise cost and taxes. It requires employer participation and is not available at every company, but when offered it can be one of the simplest paths.
Sometimes. Secondary markets let some employees sell private company shares before an IPO, subject to company approval and transfer restrictions. Availability depends on your company's policies and buyer demand.
It depends on your company's prospects, your tax situation, the cost to exercise, and your personal finances. Start by understanding the full cost, including taxes, then weigh it against the potential upside and your timeline. MoveWealth's free estimator shows your exact cost so you can make an informed decision. We are not financial advisors.