--- title: NASPP | Private Company Equity Plans Survey description: This survey will analyze and report on current trends in the design, administration, and management of equity compensation programs at private companies. --- ![NASPP](https://info.naspp.com/hubfs/2026%20Private%20Company%20Equity%20Plans%20Survey/NASPP%20-%20Full%20Logo.svg "NASPP") ![CEPI](https://info.naspp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20Private%20Company%20Equity%20Plans%20Survey/CEPI%20logo.png?width=246&height=75&name=CEPI%20logo.png "CEPI") ![Pave Logo - Blue Mark with Dark Blue Font](https://info.naspp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20Private%20Company%20Equity%20Plans%20Survey/Pave%20Logo%20-%20Blue%20Mark%20with%20Dark%20Blue%20Font.png?width=239&height=65&name=Pave%20Logo%20-%20Blue%20Mark%20with%20Dark%20Blue%20Font.png "Pave Logo - Blue Mark with Dark Blue Font") # Private Company Equity Plans Survey Equity compensation insights & benchmarks for private companies [![Register to Start the Survey](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/4634230/interactive-187449866393.png)](https://info.naspp.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKjdjREMceqNHd1fYxX7I473ACqOgL4TY8m8%2BuMHNqlCULG5w46ItzWudJwByNDuEpQhKKzKabiaHy6j6XzMoO5YGfbj1WGdc3aysDyoeopfsKIf3Klb34dNRtni8EEK68fnAXLtR%2B0qXUhm2x7gMNWHLE413ORNkfmJUd5viQKXuVZkswQxSvvKNB2XNxc&webInteractiveContentId=187449866393&portalId=4634230&hsLang=en) Deadline Extended: Participate by May 9 # Access Critical Data on Private Company Equity Award Practices Get a comprehensive view of equity compensation practices, discover emerging trends, and benchmark your strategies against private company peers. From plan design and administration to liquidity programs and valuation methods, participation gives you exclusive access to in-depth results and analysis across a wide range of topics.   Brought to you by the NASPP, the Certified Equity Professional Institute (CEPI), and Pave. ## Get the Complete Survey Results Now! ![Icon - February 20](https://info.naspp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20Private%20Company%20Equity%20Plans%20Survey/Icon%20-%20February%2020.png?width=100&height=97&name=Icon%20-%20February%2020.png) Participation Deadline ![Icon - March](https://info.naspp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20Private%20Company%20Equity%20Plans%20Survey/Icon%20-%20March.png?width=100&height=97&name=Icon%20-%20March.png) Preliminary Results Early March ![970e280d-e4bf-4bf6-b143-78af3ec37f6c-png](https://info.naspp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/970e280d-e4bf-4bf6-b143-78af3ec37f6c-png.png?width=100&height=100&name=970e280d-e4bf-4bf6-b143-78af3ec37f6c-png.png) Time to Complete ![Icon - Confidentiality](https://info.naspp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20Private%20Company%20Equity%20Plans%20Survey/Icon%20-%20Confidentiality.png?width=100&height=97&name=Icon%20-%20Confidentiality.png) Confidentiality\* \*The full survey report will include a list of participating companies, but results will be reported in aggregate only. **Registration Required** All participants must first register to participate in the survey [here](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/admin25survey). Once registered, you will receive an email within 2 business days with your direct access link to complete the survey. **Who Should Participate?** Professionals with some responsibility for designing or managing an equity plan at a private company offering stock-based compensation (not profits interests or capital interests). - Compensation professionals - HR leaders - Finance teams - Advisors Please submit only one response per company. **Why Participate?** - Benchmark your practices against peers - Understand trends and best practices - Identify gaps and opportunities for your program - Keep your program competitive - Make decisions and build your case based on current data - Help establish an essential benchmarking resource **Key Questions You'll Get Answered**   - What type of equity compensation vehicles do private companies offer? - Which employees and other service providers are eligible to receive equity awards? - What are the typical equity grant sizes and granting practices at private companies? - How do private companies provide liquidity opportunities for employees and other equity holders? - How do private companies manage, administer, and communicate their equity programs to participants? [![Take the Survey for Access to Benchmarks](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/4634230/interactive-187454483847.png)](https://info.naspp.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIBzoCvj27EEbX4pyLmXcRGPWJ7YBYVJYvHVW9OKPHX47WnPGDmlErpEMbdN6nZoJe7JBFsYDlqwQLRD7q%2BqGXTlg0U6Ge5DwvJmWZOT5xjhu7%2BouT6gOEy0%2FuNmGSfWmAutW6XpEK1S8BZTgek8kY8%2BvhuxcNAzmj1puf7cnQXUFxQQMDwDwci5MM%2F6VWM&webInteractiveContentId=187454483847&portalId=4634230&hsLang=en) **Deadline Extended: Participate by May 9** **Survey Topics** ![Demographic and Organizational Info](https://info.naspp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20Private%20Company%20Equity%20Plans%20Survey/Icon%20-%20Demographic%20and%20Org%20Info.png?width=93&height=90&name=Icon%20-%20Demographic%20and%20Org%20Info.png "Demographic and Organizational Info") ## Demographic & Organizational Info - Industry classifications of respondent companies  - Company size (*e.g.*, employee count) - Stage on the IPO or exit trajectory ![Equity Plan Design](https://info.naspp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20Private%20Company%20Equity%20Plans%20Survey/Icon%20-%20Equity%20Plan%20Design.png?width=93&height=90&name=Icon%20-%20Equity%20Plan%20Design.png "Equity Plan Design") ## Equity Plan Design - Types of equity vehicles granted by private companies - Participation rates, equity overhang, and burn rates - Use of equity awards for board members, contractors, and other nonemployees  - Guidelines for grant sizing, ongoing equity awards, and global equity programs - Types of liquidity opportunities offered to employees ![Stock Options](https://info.naspp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20Private%20Company%20Equity%20Plans%20Survey/Icon%20-%20Stock%20Options.png?width=93&height=90&name=Icon%20-%20Stock%20Options.png "Stock Options") ## Stock Options - Use of incentive stock options (ISOs) and nonqualified stock options (NQSOs) - Employee levels that typically receive option grants - Common vesting schedules for stock options   - Post-termination exercise periods (PTEPs)   - Valuation methods used for stock option accounting and expense purposes   ![Time-Based Awards](https://info.naspp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20Private%20Company%20Equity%20Plans%20Survey/Icon%20-%20Time-Based%20Awards.png?width=93&height=90&name=Icon%20-%20Time-Based%20Awards.png "Time-Based Awards") ## Time-Based Awards - Types of time-based awards offered (*e.g.*, restricted stock, restricted stock units)  - Employee levels eligible for time-based awards  - Whether vesting is contingent on an IPO or change in control (CIC)   - Methods used to facilitate tax withholding and payment obligations  ![Performance-Based Awards](https://info.naspp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20Private%20Company%20Equity%20Plans%20Survey/Icon%20-%20Performance-Based%20Awards.png?width=93&height=90&name=Icon%20-%20Performance-Based%20Awards.png "Performance-Based Awards") ## Performance-Based Awards - Employee populations that receive performance-based equity awards - Types of performance metrics and conditions used   - Typical performance periods for private company awards ![Equity Plan Management](https://info.naspp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20Private%20Company%20Equity%20Plans%20Survey/Icon%20-%20Equity%20Plan%20Management.png?width=93&height=90&name=Icon%20-%20Equity%20Plan%20Management.png "Equity Plan Management") ## Equity Plan Management and Administration - Equity administration tools and technology platforms  - Internal staffing and recordkeeping practices  - Use of artificial intelligence (AI) in equity plan management - Common approaches to private company stock valuation - Employee education and communication strategies related to equity compensation  SURVEY CLOSED --- This survey is administered jointly by the NASPP, Certified Equity Professional Institute (CEPI), and Pave. ![NASPP](https://info.naspp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/NASPP%20Logos/NASPP%20logo%20-%20markonly-transparent.png?width=140&height=44&name=NASPP%20logo%20-%20markonly-transparent.png "NASPP") ![CEPI](https://info.naspp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20Private%20Company%20Equity%20Plans%20Survey/CEPI%20logo.png?width=164&height=50&name=CEPI%20logo.png "CEPI") ![Pave](https://info.naspp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20Private%20Company%20Equity%20Plans%20Survey/Pave%20Logo%20-%20Blue%20Mark%20with%20Dark%20Blue%20Font.png?width=147&height=40&name=Pave%20Logo%20-%20Blue%20Mark%20with%20Dark%20Blue%20Font.png "Pave") ![2021 Design Survey Gears](https://info.naspp.com/hubfs/2021%20Design%20Survey/2021%20Design%20Survey%20Gears.png "2021 Design Survey Gears") Survey Guidelines for Participants - Issuers must participate in the survey to receive access to the full survey results - Survey must be completed by May 9 - Only public companies that offer stock compensation to their employees may participate - Survey respondents must have some level of responsibility for designing, managing, or reporting on their company's equity program - Service providers are ineligible to participate - Open only to public companies issuing stock compensation - Only one response per company - Participation required for results # About the NASPP The National Association of Stock Plan Professionals is the largest and oldest professional association for the stock and executive compensation community, with over three decades of leadership providing expert resources, education and other benefits for nearly 6,000 members across 18 affiliated chapters. [Learn More](https://www.naspp.com/home) # Contact Us (925) 685-9271 [naspp@naspp.com](mailto:naspp@naspp.com) PO Box 21639 Concord, CA 94521 Copyright 2026