The pressure’s rising as the Bloxers dive headfirst into equity splits and startup valuation. After packing their brains with game-changing insights, they’re thrown into their second challenge; one designed to push their companies’ valuations even higher. The winners will be those who can turn today’s lesson into real-world strategy and prove they understand the numbers behind the narrative. During consultations, we get an inside look at what truly drives valuation growth… but you’ll have to wait until Episode Four to find out who makes it to the next Blox-Off showdown.
Here’s the lesson breakdown:
When capital is limited, your startup equity becomes one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal. Instead of paying cash, offering equity can help you attract top talent, strategic partners, and essential resources that accelerate growth. Think of every share you trade as a calculated investment in your company’s future. But be smart! Unplanned equity giveaways can dilute founder ownership and weaken long-term control. Always negotiate equity like the high-value currency it is.
An equity split defines who owns what within your startup, giving co-founders, advisors, or vendors a lasting stake in the business. Once shares are issued, they’re permanent, meaning poor structure or vague agreements can come back to haunt you. Establish legal frameworks early to protect both sides, define roles clearly, and prevent disputes down the road. A well-structured split sets the foundation for healthy partnerships and scalable growth.
Dead equity is ownership tied to people who no longer contribute to your business but still reap the rewards. It’s one of the most common (and painful) founder mistakes. The fix? Create vesting schedules and buy-back clauses that tie equity to performance and contribution. This keeps ownership aligned with active effort, ensures accountability, and protects your startup’s future value.
A vesting cliff is a built-in safety mechanism that ensures equity is earned, not gifted. It requires team members to contribute for a set period before ownership begins to vest, protecting founders from premature or unearned equity loss. Cliffs promote loyalty, filter out short-term players, and keep your startup’s cap table clean. Simply put: no cliff, no protection.
No one invests more in a startup than its founders. Every decision, dollar, and hour poured into your company compounds like equity. When you view yourself as the primary investor, you start operating differently: tracking ROI, optimizing time, and focusing on high-impact strategies that build long-term enterprise value. Smart founders don’t just hustle; they invest in outcomes that scale.
Check out our flagship program, BetaBlox. It's a multi-year education and mentorship program designed to help early-stage ventures start to take flight! Let us help you get to your first million dollars in sales.
Andrea Holmes Thompkins is the CEO of ACE Media Corp (ACE), Andrea’s Communication Empire. Founded in 2002, this broadcast, media sales, branding, and entertainment representation firm specializes in branded-content promotions and the production of interstitial ads for online, television, programs, and featured movies. In January 2020, she launched ACE LAND, a full-service production arm of ACE Media. Andrea holds a B.A. in Communications from Howard University, where she has sponsored scholarships in her late mother's and sister’s names. (victims of cancer) A board member of the MECCA Society, We’ve Got Friends, Teaneck Comes Together, JumpStart Community, Rutgers Business School, Center for Urban Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development Newark Business Hub, she commits her time, energy & resources to several community-based nonprofit organizations.
Chase Curtiss is an innovative digital health expert and clinical exercise physiologist with a strong expertise in developing mobile software solutions within the medical, sports and fitness markets. Chase has an academic and research background in biomechanics, exercise physiology and neuroscience with published research in each field. Chase has been recognized as a pioneer in the mobile health space with the first ever FDA clearance for a software only mobile medical device. He has been highlighted in the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg TV, Forbes, Pando Daily, Mobihealthnews, the Grey Sheet and many other mainstream and medically focused publications. YouTube has also named Chase NextUP for his work in video instruction content reaching 30 million viewers. As an expert in the field of digital healthcare, Chase is also a regular speaker having presented for events put on by Blue Cross Blue Shield, AARP and Chase was the 2014 commencement speaker for Wichita State University.
GW Chew, aka Chef Chew, is the Founder & CEO of Something Better Foods Inc. and has been a vegan food inventor/restaurateur for over 15 years. Adopted at birth into a family with the last name “Chew,” Chef Chew believes that he was born with a mission and purpose to change lives for the better, one chew at a time. Chef Chew grew up in the “country” amongst a family of very heavy meat eaters and noticed over time that a lot of different diseases, from diabetes to cancer, plagued the members of his family. He later discovered that many of those same diseases have been linked to poor diet and overconsumption of animal meat products. Inspired to begin living a healthy lifestyle, Chef Chew switched to a plant-based diet in 2001 and started experimenting with creating vegan food products in 2004. He painstakingly invented the Better Chew proteins in his mom’s kitchen and has perfected the textures and taste over the past 15 years.
Luke, an energetic and adventurous individual who’s always on the lookout for exciting new experiences in his city, started his business when he was frustrated by the lack of engaging activities and quality events. What began as a small initiative has blossomed into an incredible success story, with over 51,000 participants engaged in diverse activities like Sand Volleyball, Basketball, Pickleball, Cornhole, kickball, softball, and more, spanning the entire city. He also orchestrated one-of-a-kind events such as a Grilled Cheese Festival, an Underachiever’s Run, and a Zombie Crawl, attracting a staggering 16,000 attendees. These endeavors not only allowed Luke to leave his conventional job five years ago but also enabled him to foster a thriving, interconnected community. His once-small initiative now boasts four full-time employees, 40 part-time officials, and an office that has transformed into a bustling arena. Driven by his desire to make a positive impact, Luke is committed to helping others cultivate vibrant in-person and virtual communities. His dedication has earned him numerous accolades, including the 2018 25 under 25 Award from Thinking Bigger Business Media, the 2017 Innovation Partnership Program award, the 2017 Social Sports Industry Association Product Innovation Award, the 2016 Social Media Club Trailblazer of the Year Award, the 2014 Mayor Sly James’ Challenge Cabinet recognition, the 2014 Rising Star Award from NonProfit Connect, and the 2013 Urban Hero Award from the Downtown Council.
Mary Smiley Ford, CRNA, RN, MSN, is the owner and founder of Smiley Aesthetics. She began her aesthetics career in early 2019 while working as an anesthesiologist. In February 2022, along with her identical twin sister, Carla, she launched Smiley Aesthetics as a two-person mobile toxin and collagen business in Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee. In just over a year, Smiley Aesthetics has started five brick and mortar locations and nearly 100 mobile injectors in nine states, a number that grows weekly. Ford has been trained by some of the top providers in the country and continues to receive training. Carla Smiley Pierson, DNP, MBA, RN is an experienced, innovative, and business-savvy Registered Nurse with a proven track record of leadership in the hospital and healthcare industry across multiple disciplines. As the Co-founder and Co-owner of a successful medical aesthetics company that achieved over a million in revenue within its first year, Carla brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and entrepreneurial acumen to everything she does. Her diverse skill set spans critical care medicine, oncology, regulatory and accreditation standards, core measures, financial and clinical operations, and project implementation. With a Doctorate in Nursing Practice and an MBA, Carla is a dynamic consulting professional, committed to driving innovation and being a catalyst for change in the healthcare industry.
Michael Savvides is a South African-born entrepreneur, engineer, and investor bridging the worlds of biotechnology, AI, and sports innovation. As the CEO and Co-Founder of Imagine Biotech, he leads a pioneering initiative that uses machine learning, protein folding technology, and bioinformatics to de-risk biotech investments and enhance drug development efficiency. With a Master’s in Engineering and an MBA, Michael’s career spans a successful company exit as VP of Operations at Quickmed Diagnostics, leadership within the Startup Grind Los Angeles community, and a strategic role as co-owner of Oaks Sports Holding Inc., in partnership with LA Galaxy through Ventura County FC (VCFC). Known for his blend of technical expertise and entrepreneurial vision, he is driven by a mission to minimize risk and maximize potential—in both business and sport.
Simone is an author, activist, business owner, and motivational speaker dedicated to empowering women and disrupting systems that perpetuate inequality. Inspired by her personal struggles with child support collection, she became a recognized expert, testified before Congress, and built a fintech company to help others navigate the process. Her company, Athena (formerly Don’t Get Mad Get Paid), has achieved an 87% success rate, collecting nearly $15 million in owed child support. Focused on supporting women and underserved communities, Simone is transforming a broken system into one that works for those who need it most.
Stephan is a globally recognized entrepreneur, executive coach, and founder of the Human Innovation Garage, where he helps leaders and organizations unlock human potential through trust, culture, and behavioral transformation. A Top 25 Global Creativity Thought Leader (2025) and Top 30 Global Coaching Guru (2023), Stephan brings decades of experience as a multiple-time CEO, investor, and MIT Global Strategy Advisor, blending business strategy with human-centered leadership. His work has impacted organizations generating over $1.7 billion in revenue, reducing attrition, boosting engagement, and redefining what leadership feels like when integrity and humanity take center stage. As host of the Raw Rants podcast and a sought-after keynote speaker, Stephan’s mission is simple but profound: to help people and companies lead with humanity — because when we grow better humans, we build better businesses.
Tyler Martina is a seasoned entrepreneur, creative strategist, and founder of Mr. Inkwells whose career spans over 20 years of cultural impact and business innovation. He blends bold branding, marketing insight, and artistic flair (tattoos and “bone checking” among his interests) to build ventures that push boundaries. Based in the digital and physical realms, Tyler thrives at the intersection of storytelling, community, and enterprise, always with an eye toward disrupting norms and elevating culture.
Don’t miss out on the entrepreneurial rollercoaster ride! Get your popcorn ready and join us for the adventure of a lifetime!
