PrivatePulse·Companies·Deel vs Airtable

Deel vs Airtable: employee equity compared

Secondary market prices, valuation trajectory, equity structure, and liquidity outlook for employees choosing between Deel and Airtable.

Secondary market data updated monthly · Sources: Hiive, Forge
↑ Higher secondary premium

Deel

SaaS · San Francisco, CA · Founded 2019

Global payroll and compliance platform enabling companies to hire full-time employees and contractors in 150+ countries without setting up local entities.

Last primary round$12B · Series D (2022-10)
Secondary market$10.9B (-9% vs primary)
Annual revenue$0.4B ARR · +45% YoY (solid)
Headcount~3,200
Equity typeISO/NSO
Strike price range$28–$40 (depends on cohort)
Illiquidity discount~20%
Last round leadGeneral Atlantic
Liquidity outlook

IPO plausible 2027–2029 if growth trajectory holds. Liquidity may come via tender offer or strategic acquisition before listing.

Key equity angle

Predictable B2B ARR; ISO/NSO options; exit via IPO or strategic buyer

Airtable

SaaS · United States · Founded 2012

Low-code database and app-building platform enabling non-technical teams to build workflows, dashboards, and internal tools on top of spreadsheet-like bases.

Last primary round$11.7B · Series F (2021-12)
Secondary market$6.1B (-48% vs primary)
Annual revenue$0.2B ARR · +20% YoY (solid)
Headcount~600
Equity typeISO/NSO
Strike price range$10–$20 (depends on cohort)
Illiquidity discount~25%
Last round leadFranklin Templeton
Liquidity outlook

IPO plausible 2027–2029 if growth trajectory holds. Secondary trades at a discount vs last round — exercise timing requires caution. Liquidity may come via tender offer or strategic acquisition before listing.

Key equity angle

Predictable B2B ARR; ISO/NSO options; secondary discount vs primary — price discovery ongoing; exit via IPO or strategic buyer

Key differences for employees

Equity structure

Deel grants ISO/NSO with strike prices ranging from $28–$40 depending on your grant year. Airtable grants ISO/NSO with strike prices from $10–$20.

Secondary market premium

The secondary market is pricing Deel at a +-9% premium over its last primary round ($12B$10.9B). Airtable trades at +-48% over its last round ($11.7B$6.1B). A higher secondary premium signals stronger investor demand and potentially better near-term liquidity for employees looking to sell.

Revenue and growth

Deel runs at $0.4B ARR, growing +45% YoY (solid). Airtable runs at $0.2B ARR, growing +20% YoY (solid). Revenue growth rate matters for equity because it drives the peer-multiple valuation — the method most correlated with exit multiples.

Liquidity timeline

Deel: IPO plausible 2027–2029 if growth trajectory holds. Liquidity may come via tender offer or strategic acquisition before listing.

Airtable: IPO plausible 2027–2029 if growth trajectory holds. Secondary trades at a discount vs last round — exercise timing requires caution. Liquidity may come via tender offer or strategic acquisition before listing.

Calculate your specific grant

Enter your actual shares, equity type, and strike price. PrivatePulse calculates your personal equity value at both companies using 4 independent methods.

Frequently asked questions

Is Deel or Airtable a better company to work at for equity?
There's no universal answer — it depends on your risk profile, time horizon, and specific grant terms. Deel at $12B and Airtable at $11.7B offer very different risk/reward profiles. Use the calculator above to model your exact grant at each company.
How do I know if my Deel or Airtable equity is fairly priced?
Compare your grant's implied per-share value against the secondary market price. If investors are paying a premium on Hiive or Forge over the last primary round, that's a signal of strong demand. PrivatePulse shows you the gap between your 409A and what the secondary market says.
Can I sell my Deel or Airtable shares on the secondary market?
Secondary market transactions (Hiive, Forge, Caplight) require accredited investor status and your company's consent — most private companies have right-of-first-refusal (ROFR) provisions. Tender offers, when available, are typically the most accessible path to partial liquidity for employees.

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