Tax Frameworks for Global Founders
Tax rules vary dramatically by country, but the frameworks for thinking about tax are universal. Here's how to evaluate jurisdictions without chasing the lowest rate.
From operator to owner. Most founders try to protect wealth while still running everything. This is for those ready to step back — structuring capital intentionally so mistakes don't compound quietly. Asset protection, tax structures, geographic diversification, and concentration risk after exit.
Tax rules vary dramatically by country, but the frameworks for thinking about tax are universal. Here's how to evaluate jurisdictions without chasing the lowest rate.
The entire playbook, condensed. Core principles, key questions, warning signs. Bookmark this. Come back when you need it.
What's the absolute minimum setup you need? Not a reference to complexity or sophistication—a ruthless focus on what actually matters and permission to keep it simple.
The 12-18 months before exit is a window. Certain moves are possible with equity that become impossible — or extremely expensive — once that equity converts to cash. Most founders miss it.
The wire hits. Now what? The first 90 days after a liquidity event are when founders make their best and worst decisions. Here's how to seize the opportunity wisely.
The mistakes that destroy founder wealth are surprisingly predictable. They happen repeatedly, to smart people, in patterns you can see coming — if you know what to look for.
The biggest implementation mistake is rushing. Cash sitting in a savings account while you figure things out costs almost nothing. A bad $2M decision because you felt pressure to deploy costs, potentially everything.
Most wealth problems aren't technical—they're decision problems. Poor governance creates chaos, emotional decisions, and misaligned family members. Good governance is the system that keeps everything working.
The threats to your wealth have evolved faster than most founders' defences. Twenty years ago, protection meant insurance and maybe a trust. Today, the biggest risk might be in your pocket.
You need advisors. But having advisors isn't the same as having a team. Most founders either have too few, too many, or the wrong ones entirely.
After the exit, you still need to pay for life. Most founders default to selling investments when they need cash. There's a better way to think about it.
Standard portfolio advice wasn't designed for you. You got rich through concentration, not diversification. Here's how to build a portfolio that reflects the reality of being a founder.