This section defines founder expectations, equity, and working terms at Belto. Founders are the ultimate stewards of our mission, team, and product.
Role: Founder & CEO
Emil Shirokikh is Belto’s CEO and founder, holding 85% equity. He leads product, go-to-market, and strategic direction, combining his background in project management, teaching, and full-stack development to push Belto’s mission forward.
Role: Founder & CTO
Vishnu Shukla is Belto’s CTO and co-founder with 10% equity. He oversees all technical systems and infrastructure, ensuring the platform is fast, secure, and scalable as Belto grows across classrooms.
Role: Original CTO & Lead Engineer
Michael Johnson is Belto’s original lead engineer and co-founding advisor, holding 5% equity. He helped build the first backend systems and shaped the early architecture of Belto’s AI infrastructure.
Role: Original Co-Founder & Future CFO
Carlos Langer is the original Belto Co-Founder and future CFO candidate. A longtime friend of Emil’s, he’s currently in Germany preparing to join Deloitte as an auditor. While he holds no equity yet, Carlos contributes to Belto’s early sales and GTM strategy with a strong fit for future leadership.
🚨 Founder Expectations
At Belto, being a founder means full ownership. You’re not just building a product—you’re building the company. That comes with responsibility, urgency, and personal accountability.
1. Availability & Communication
Founders are expected to be available 24/7. If you’re unavailable (even briefly), communicate clearly. Silence kills startups—constant, transparent communication is non-negotiable.
2. Execution First
Your value is not in ideas, but in execution. Each founder is expected to deliver consistently in their lane—whether it’s code, partnerships, capital, or growth.
3. Founders Are Paid Last
Founders will only be paid when the company is financially healthy and in compliance with labor laws. International founders must hold a valid EAD (Employment Authorization Document) and pass E-Verify before being added to payroll.
4. No Passengers
There are no passive founders. If your role changes or your contribution drops, we re-evaluate your equity, responsibilities, or involvement. Founders hold themselves—and each other—accountable.
5. Equity Is Earned, Not Handed
Equity reflects your risk, value, and consistent execution. It’s not a gift—it’s earned through clear, agreed-upon vesting milestones tied to your role. As founders, we define success together, and only those who help build it earn their share of the upside. A standard founder vesting schedule typically spans 4–6 years, aligning long-term commitment with ownership.
Final Note
If you’re not consistently putting in at least 40 focused hours a week—building, solving, leading, or supporting—then you need to seriously reconsider whether founding a startup is the right role for you. This is not a side project. As a founder, your time, energy, and urgency set the pace for the entire company. If you're not all-in, this is not the place to be.
