Let’s face it, equity plans don’t sound thrilling at first glance. But for startups, especially in deep tech, ESOPs are the quiet superpower behind attracting and keeping top talent. They let you turn limited cash into real ownership, align everyone with the long game, and make people care about the outcome as much as the founders do.

Before we dive deep into understanding them, think of ESOPs as the mechanism that turns employees from “working for” into “building with”.

What is an ESOP

Why ESOPs matter in deep-tech startups

The ESOP process in Singapore

Why ESOPs add real value (and when they fail)

Key takeaways

• ESOPs align employees with company success while conserving cash.
• Deep-tech startups rely on them heavily, but must balance dilution, valuation, and communication.
• Singapore’s regulatory and tax environment is structured yet nuanced. Compliance and timing are critical.
• Proper design, education, and governance make ESOPs a value multiplier rather than an administrative burden.

<aside> <img src="notion://custom_emoji/5ae97006-4bde-4837-bb00-10b6f4d82edc/279668e3-5365-80e2-add7-007a980c6095" alt="notion://custom_emoji/5ae97006-4bde-4837-bb00-10b6f4d82edc/279668e3-5365-80e2-add7-007a980c6095" width="40px" />

All information on this page is solely ATUM’s opinion and does not constitute legal or accounting advice. For more info, go to: www.atumventures.com

</aside>