CTO Equity in London 2026

London CTO packages in 2026 vary sharply by stage. Hired CTOs at Seed typically see £90k–£130k plus 1–3% equity; Series A drops to 0.5–1.5%. Use live benchmarks below for your stage.

Your package

Compare against market benchmarks

Role

Location

Funding stage

Salary (£)

Equity (%)

How do London CTO packages compare to the US?

London cash salaries run 20–35% below SF for equivalent stage, but EMI tax treatment can make UK equity more efficient on exit. A £110k + 2% Seed package in London may compete with $180k + 1% in SF once tax and cost of living are modelled.

What should you negotiate beyond headline %?

Negotiate option pool timing, refresh grants at promotion, accelerated vesting on change of control, and clarity on EMI eligibility. Paper percentage matters less than fully diluted ownership and strike price.

Frequently asked questions

Is 2% equity good for a CTO in London at Seed?

Yes — 2% at Seed is strong for a hired (non-founder) CTO in London. Pair it with salary benchmarks: below £85k cash, the equity should be at the top of the range.

How much is 1% of a £10m startup worth?

£100k paper value today. Model dilution through Series A/B and apply EMI tax on exit for a realistic net figure.