Backstop vs. Shareworks, by Morgan Stanley

Backstop makes planning and selecting the portfolio efficiently. There is a candid assistance in matters of resource utilization. Moreso, Backstop has a cost accounting notion, which makes the company control the expenses they make. Finally, Backstop has classical research procedures where analysis and decisions arrive after extensive assistance and evaluations.

Incentivized

Well suited for privately or publicly held companies with stock option plans or ESPP. Helpful for calculating stock compensation expense.

Incentivized

• Storage of notes from calls and meetings.
• Tracking portfolio holding balances, transactions, and IRRs/MOICs.
• Allowing flexibility for client-defined uses.

Incentivized

• Calendar of vesting schedule
• Visibility into value of various equity based compensation
• Ability to setup default release elections at vesting dates

Incentivized

• Poor communication procedures
• Lack of specific OS support
• No mobile version for Backstop

Incentivized

• At the time, couldn't calculate a formula based on milestone vesting
• Had some small hiccups with calculating stock option compensation expense, but Capshare was able to solve over time.

Incentivized

Backstop support is fantastic. They always pick up the phone without a wait and are highly knowledgeable, I rarely need more than 5 minutes to fix an issue.

Incentivized

We had a great team consisting of two Solium Shareworks admin experts, and one financial reporting expert to help us with the implementation. After the implementation, I feel we are in good hands with the Solium Shareworks relationship manager. We have quarterly contact with the team when new grants need to be added. Other then that, we are self-sufficient with the tool.

Incentivized

I have not used or evaluated any Backstop competitors. Freestone already used Backstop when I started.

Incentivized

We like Carta because they offer transfer agent services in addition to Cap Table management. Shareworks is the upgraded Capshare. This is for IPO ready companies who are ready to take the next steps

Incentivized

• Business ends up profiting
• The chances of investing in the wrong projects don't exist
• The analytical assistance from Backstop increases more investment plans

Incentivized

• The ability to provide employees with an detailed view of their equity compensation and the real time value of the assets
• Protection features in place to prohibit trading in blackout period
• Option for employees to cover taxes related to share purchase and sales is a benefit to employees

Incentivized