From Startup Equity to a Debt-Free Home

How one early employee at a multi-billion-dollar software unicorn used Equitybee to pay off his mortgage, keep his shares, and finally own his home outright.

"I still own my shares, but now I own my home outright too. That kind of freedom is hard to put into words."
Read Full Interview >

Client

Early employee at “Unicorn Software Startup”

Status

Shareholder in a multi-billion-dollar unicorn

Goal

Eliminate remaining mortgage debt

Amount Accessed

$300,000 in liquidity

Outcome

Mortgage fully paid off, shares still owned

Overview
For many startup employees, the story sounds familiar.

You joined early, believed in the vision, helped build something real from the ground up, and exercised your stock options on time. Today, the company is worth billions, and you are officially a shareholder in a unicorn.
‍
On paper, you're wealthy. In reality, your equity is locked, your cash is limited, and your financial goals, like buying a home or paying off a mortgage, can’t wait.

This is the story of one “rich on paper” former employee who turned to Equitybee when he needed $300K quickly to pay off the remainder of his mortgage and relieve a major financial burden.We moved fast, he got the funds, he kept his shares, and today he is 100 percent mortgage-free.
The Challenge
Even after leaving his role at “Unicorn Software Startup,” our client still believed in the company and in the equity he had earned.

• He had exercised his stock options when he left
• The company’s valuation had grown into the billions
• His equity was valuable on paper, but not accessible in practice

At the same time, his remaining mortgage balance was holding his family back from true financial peace of mind. He needed roughly $300K to fully pay off the loan and become debt-free without selling his equity or giving up future upside if the company eventually went public or was acquired.

The Equitybee Solution

When he found Equitybee, he was looking for a way to:

Unlock value from his private company shares
Access meaningful liquidity
Keep ownership of his equity and potential upside
Client Q&A
Life After Exercising Startup Stock Options

Can you tell us a bit about your time at the company? What made you join, and what was the journey like?

I joined early when the company was still under 60 people.
I believed in the vision, the founders, and the team, and that bet paid off. I got to help build something meaningful from the ground up and watch it grow into a unicorn.

When you left the company, what drove your decision to exercise your stock options?

I genuinely believed the company had long-term potential, and I didn’t want to walk away from something I helped build. Since I joined fairly early, my exercise cost was relatively low, so the risk wasn’t too high. It felt like a smart move to hold on to that upside.

What triggered the need for liquidity? Why did you reach out to Equitybee?

I needed around $300K to eliminate the remainder of our mortgage and be debt-free. I had the wealth, just not access to it. I started looking for ways to unlock the value of my shares, and that is when I found Equitybee.

What was the process like, from sign-up to funding?

It was great. The team was incredibly professional, transparent, and truly attentive. I felt informed every step of the way and knew I was in good hands. The funding came through quickly and with no surprises.

What kind of impact did accessing that liquidity have for you, especially in the context of buying a home?

It was huge. Being able to tap into my shares made all the difference for me and my family. Getting rid of that monthly debt freed up not just money, but peace of mind. I still own my shares, but now I own my home outright too. That kind of freedom is hard to put into words.

Any words of advice for others navigating their equity decisions after leaving a startup?

Equitybee helped me turn my equity into real-world flexibility, without giving up ownership and while still keeping the potential upside if the company eventually goes public. For me, they were a true rainmaker. I would absolutely recommend that anyone in a similar position explore what they have to offer.

Ready to Unlock the Value of Your Equity?

If you're a current or former startup employee with vested stock options or private company shares, you may have more flexibility than you think. Equitybee helps shareholders access funding backed by their startup equity, so they can:

• Exercise stock options
• Unlock liquidity for major financial goals, like buying a home or paying off debt
• Maintain ownership and potential future upside

Want to unlock the value of your startup equity?

Start today

This testimonial may not be representative of all client experiences, and there is no guarantee you will achieve the same results.Equitybee executes Private Financing Contracts (PFCs), which are private placements that fund employee stock options. PFCs do not grant or transfer ownership of startup company stock, are speculative and illiquid, and are subject to risk, including the complete loss of capital to the investor. Risks may be greater during periods of extreme market conditions.Please read the private placement memorandum before investing.Securities offered through EquityBee Securities, LLC, member FINRA.