Creators get a stake,
not just a fee.

You get a small share of the company, called equity. If the startup grows, your share becomes more valuable. If it doesn't grow, your share may be worth very little or nothing. It's a trade: you're paid in possibility instead of money upfront.

Most deals on earlyin are equity-only, no cash upfront. Some startups may offer a small cash amount on top of equity. Check each deal's terms before agreeing.

Your equity becomes worth nothing. This is the real risk of taking equity instead of cash. We show this clearly before you agree to any deal, so you're never surprised.

You don't get all your equity on day one. You earn it gradually, usually tied to the content you post. If you stop posting or the deal ends early, you keep what you've already earned, not what was left.

These are just different legal ways of giving you equity. In plain terms: SAFE is a simple promise of future equity — nothing happens until the startup raises money or is sold. Options mean you earn the right to buy equity later, usually at a low fixed price. SEIS nominal investment (a UK option, where applicable) is a small real investment from you, paired with your content deal, that can come with UK tax benefits. You don't need to pick the structure yourself — the startup proposes one and we explain it before you sign anything.

Depends on the structure above. With SAFE and options, you don't own shares immediately — you own the right to them later. We always show you which one you're getting.

Whatever's agreed in the deal brief, set by the startup before you apply. You'll see this upfront — it's not decided after you've agreed to the deal.

Yes, once you sign. Agreements are generated through our system, but we recommend reading everything carefully — this isn't a substitute for your own legal advice.

There's a small document generation fee and a deal fee. We'll show you the exact cost before you commit to anything.

Most early startups don't have much cash to spend on content or marketing. Equity lets you bring on a creator as a real partner in your growth — someone genuinely invested in your success — without spending money you don't have yet.

Typically a very small amount — often a fraction of a percent — for a defined content package. You set the offer, so you're always in control of how much you give.

No, when done properly. Small, clearly documented creator deals are common, and investors generally see them as a sign of resourceful early traction, not a red flag. We help you keep everything clean and properly documented from the start.

This depends on the structure and vesting terms you set. Generally, creators only keep equity they've already earned through milestones — not equity for future work that hasn't happened yet.

SAFE is the simplest — no immediate tax paperwork, equity is given when you raise money or get acquired. Options mean the creator earns the right to equity over time, and it doesn't affect your cap table until they're used. SEIS nominal investment (a UK option, where applicable) can also give UK-based creators tax relief, but involves slightly more paperwork. We'll help you pick the right one for your situation.

Our agreement generator gives you a ready-to-sign document based on standard terms, but it's not a replacement for legal advice — especially before your first deal. We recommend a quick legal review the first time you use a new structure.

A document generation fee and a deal fee, once a deal is agreed. There's no upfront cost to post a deal or browse creators.

earlyin is in early access, so we're still building this out. Every creator connects a real profile and audience, and you always agree the terms before anything is signed. We'll only ever describe a creator as verified once that check is genuinely in place — we won't overpromise vetting that isn't live yet.