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Double-trigger acceleration is when someone's stock or options can be vested ahead of schedule if there are two distinct triggering events. As a founder, your unvested equity might be accelerated if you sell the company and you’re involuntarily fired soon after the sale.
The specific triggers and timelines can depend on your contract. There are also single-trigger vesting clauses, which only require one event to occur for the vesting to accelerate. However, as a founder, you may want to be cautious about using single-trigger vesting clauses. While they might be beneficial to you, the clause could make your company less appealing to potential investors.
Double-trigger acceleration clauses are somewhat more commonly used. They’re occasionally given to founders, essential employees, investors, and advisors. These clauses can help protect the people who created and grew the company from suddenly being kicked out, without compensation, after it's acquired.
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