Without Equity Dilution

A technical co-founder without the equity.

Yes, you can get a technical co-founder without giving up equity. A technical co-founder as a service delivers the same work, CTO-level leadership plus hands-on building, on a monthly retainer instead of 20 to 50 percent of your company. Equity only enters the conversation if you want it there. You keep your cap table intact and avoid betting your ownership on one person who may not work out.

Talk to Us The Equity Math
The Cost of Equity

What equity actually costs you

Equity feels free at the start because there is no cash out of pocket. It is the most expensive thing you will ever spend. A technical co-founder taking 25 percent owns a quarter of every future round, every acquisition offer, and every dollar of your exit, forever, and you cannot get it back if the partnership sours after six months.

The dilution reality

25% of a $10M exit is $2.5M. A year of retainer is a fraction of that, and it ends when you're ready.

Equity is permanent. A retainer is not. That is the whole trade.

We walk through the full breakdown in how much equity a technical co-founder should get. The short version: give it away only when the person is genuinely irreplaceable and committed for the long haul.

The Model

How the no-equity model works

You pay a monthly retainer and get the technical half of a founding team: architecture, product strategy, and a senior crew that builds and ships. Your cap table does not move, there is no vesting schedule to negotiate, and nothing to unwind if the partnership ends.

$5-30k

per month, scaling with scope. No equity required.

0%

of your company by default. Equity only if you want it, alongside fees.

Exit

anytime. Keep the code and the documentation. No lock-in.

Don't take our word for it.

Eileen Burbidge
Eileen Burbidge

Partner at Passion Capital

Not every founder has a technical co-founder from the start, so some of the best ideas depend on a strong development partner. Vuk and Hurricane are much more than an outsourced dev resource. The team behaves like a company co-founder and brings the startup agility and pragmatism needed to develop a first prototype, MVP, or 1.0, at a level of quality that satisfies even the most discerning corporate clients and investors. I always recommend Hurricane to our founders.

Giuliano Sison
Giuliano Sison

Product Lead, Fertifa

Working with Hurricane Studio has given us the best of both worlds: flexibility to manage burn and make the most of our limited runway, but best-in-class dev resources so we don't have to compromise on the quality of our platform.

FAQ

Technical co-founder without equity: FAQ

Can I get a technical co-founder without giving up equity?

Yes. A technical co-founder as a service delivers the same work, CTO-level leadership plus hands-on building, on a monthly retainer instead of equity. You keep your cap table intact and avoid handing 20 to 50 percent of your company to one person who may not work out.

How much equity does a technical co-founder usually take?

A traditional technical co-founder typically takes 20 to 50 percent, depending on stage and contribution. On a $10 million exit, even 25 percent is $2.5 million. A retainer-based partner costs a fixed monthly fee and takes nothing from your exit.

Is a retainer really cheaper than equity?

It depends on outcome and timeline, but for most founders, yes. A year of retainer might cost $120,000 to $240,000. A quarter of a successful company is worth far more, and unlike equity, the retainer ends when you no longer need it.

Do you ever take equity?

Rarely, and it never replaces the fee. Most engagements are fees-only from the first invoice. If a project reaches a point where a small stake genuinely helps both sides, we will raise it, but you can also just tell us up front you would rather never discuss it, and that is fine.

What if I want a co-founder for the long haul, not a service?

Many founders start with us to ship the product and reach traction, then hire a full-time technical leader once the risk is lower. We help you interview and transition. You get momentum now without a permanent equity decision made under pressure.

Keep your equity . Get the build.

Let's talk about what you're building and how a retainer-based technical partner could get you there without touching your cap table.

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