What is Hexa’s Minimum Viable Salary?

On their own, a founder usually has to forgo income for at least two years. That, on top of having to find their own money to put into the business. At Hexa, we’re committed to making entrepreneurship more accessible by not only financing the creation of their startup, but also offering founders a minimum viable salary (MVS).

It’s about removing one of the biggest barriers founders face, especially for those who have a family or financial obligations. It’s part of how we put founders first, ensuring they can focus fully on their vision while maintaining some stability in their personal lives.

We’ve compiled answers to the 7 most common questions founders ask us about the MVS.

1. What is Hexa’s "minimum viable salary"?

The MVS is a financial safety net offered to founders who are actively building their startup with Hexa. It provides a modest, tailored income during the early stages of entrepreneurship, when personal financial stability is often hardest to maintain.

The salary is not intended to replace long-term funding or reduce a founder’s incentive to grow their business. Instead, it offers a crucial lifeline that allows founders to focus fully on their startup without compromising their fundamental responsibilities.

2. Why do we provide a minimum viable salary?

Entrepreneurship is an inherently risky path, often requiring founders to forgo income while they build their business. This disproportionately affects individuals with financial responsibilities and discourages diversity in entrepreneurship.

By reducing the burden of financial precarity, we ensure that founders can take bold steps toward building their startup without sacrificing their well-being or stability.

It’s also a way to foster focus and velocity: ensuring that founders can afford to put all their energy into building their company, avoiding unnecessary distractions or side jobs.

3. How do we empower founders rather than create dependency?

Our approach to the MVS is about balance. It provides just enough stability to give founders some peace of mind but not so much that it removes their drive to achieve. By reducing financial stress without removing the urgency to grow, we empower founders to focus on their startup’s long-term success.

4. How is the salary amount determined?

The MVS is tailored to each founder’s unique financial situation. Founders work with Hexa to assess their essential living expenses, ensuring the amount provides adequate support.

5. Who is eligible to receive it?

All of Hexa’s founders receive a minimum viable salary that’s tailored to their situation.

6. Does receiving this salary affect how much equity founders hold?

No. Hexa’s MVS is an investment in people, not a trade-off for equity. Founders retain their ownership of their stake in the company.

7. For how long can founders expect to receive the salary?

We provide a salary until founders raise their Seed round, which typically takes 12 months from the moment they join us.

This is designed to give founders the financial runway they need until their next round of investors provides additional funding.

We’re committed to supporting founders in every way possible, starting with ensuring that entrepreneurship is a viable financial path for anyone with the drive we’re looking for.

If you’ve been holding back on starting a company because of financial uncertainties, Hexa’s MVS might be the support you need to take the leap.

‍Apply to become a founder.

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