When a company is negotiating a sale or capital raise, one of the important questions that surface is whether it makes sense to put an employee equity plan in place (“The Equity Question”). This is especially pertinent for entrepreneurs that desire to attract and retain talent to grow their business. For those considering an M&A or financing deal, an equity plan is an effective signal to buyers and investors that they are focused on long-term business growth and will help to optimize the company’s valuation.