Your stock options shouldn't expire
because you can't afford them
Optioning exists to solve a $60 billion problem: most startup employees leave their equity on the table because they can't afford to exercise. We're changing that.
The problem we're solving
76%
of startup employees never exercise their stock options
$60B
in annual stock option value goes unexercised across the industry
90 days
is the typical window to exercise after leaving a company — often not enough time
Incumbent providers like Secfi, ESO Fund, and EquityBee focus on unicorn employees at high-profile companies. The other 99% — people at promising Series A through Series D startups — are left without options. We built Optioning to serve them.
What we believe
Transparency first
We show you the math before you apply. Our free tax calculator gives you the same numbers your CPA would — without the billing.
Built for the 99%
You don't need to work at a unicorn to deserve financing. If your company is venture-backed and growing, we want to help.
Non-recourse, always
Every financing deal we offer is non-recourse. If your company fails, you owe us nothing. Your personal assets are never at risk.
Aligned incentives
We only win when you win. Our profit-split model means we share in your upside — not extract from it.
How it started
Optioning was born from a personal frustration: watching talented engineers and operators leave startups and forfeit hundreds of thousands of dollars in equity because they couldn't come up with the cash to exercise — plus the tax bill that comes with it.
The existing solutions weren't built for most people. They required you to work at a top-50 unicorn, have a massive option grant, or navigate opaque pricing structures. We set out to build something better: a platform that combines education, transparent tools, and accessible financing for any startup employee facing this decision.
See what your options are worth
Start with our free stock option tax calculator — no signup required.