Fundraising Fox

Employee Stock Option Fund

Venture debt

San Mateo · Late Stage · 18 people tracked

Also known as ESO MANAGEMENT SERVICES LLC

Fox Verdict
Sign up to see your fit

Investment thesis

ESO Fund partners with employees holding startup equity, offering non-recourse capital to fund option exercises, reduce tax exposure, or provide liquidity against existing shares and vested RSUs. Its structure requires no personal liability, collateral, or transfer of shares; employees retain ownership, voting rights, and upside. Returns are outcome-dependent, tied to a share of equity plus capital return only if a successful exit occurs. The firm has operated for over a decade, pairing each client with a partner to guide them from intro call through IPO. Common use cases include exercising before the 90-day post-departure window, capturing long-term capital gains and QSBS benefits, and accessing cash while preserving future upside.

Invests inFintechSan MateoUnited States

Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.

Stage
Late Stage
HQ
San Mateo, US
Leads rounds
Follows
Instruments
Debt
Founded
2012
AUM
$410.6M

Team · 18 people

from the firm's website

Frequently asked questions

What stage does Employee Stock Option Fund invest at?
Employee Stock Option Fund invests at the Late Stage stage.
What sectors does Employee Stock Option Fund focus on?
Employee Stock Option Fund focuses on Fintech.
Where is Employee Stock Option Fund located?
Employee Stock Option Fund is headquartered in San Mateo, US.
Does Employee Stock Option Fund lead rounds?
Employee Stock Option Fund typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.

Images

Employee Stock Option Fund photoEmployee Stock Option Fund photo

Similar investors

Featured in lists