Founder & employee equity · Specialist
Stock appreciation right
Also called: SAR
ELI5
A reward based on how much the share value rises.
Used in conversation
“The stock appreciation right settles in cash.”
Definition
A right to receive value equal to an increase in share price over a base amount.
Here “Stock appreciation right” means: A right to receive value equal to an increase in share price over a base amount.
Pitch context
You will see “Stock appreciation right” in fundraising decks, data rooms, term sheets and investor conversations when the discussion reaches founder & employee equity.
Why it matters: In founder & employee equity, a loose definition can change rights, obligations, approval, disclosure or enforceability.
Caution
Meaning, enforceability and required process vary by jurisdiction and agreement; this definition is not legal advice.
Connected terms
- Suspicious-activity reportThe search label “SAR” can route to both entries.
Sources & evidence · 5
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- National Venture Capital Association — Model Legal DocumentsDirect source · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Small Business Capital Formation GlossaryDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Exempt OfferingsSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- Y Combinator — Safe financing documentsSupporting source family · practitioner · checked 2026-08-16
- Y Combinator — Series A Term Sheet TemplateSupporting source family · practitioner · checked 2026-08-16