Stripe vs Epic Games: employee equity compared
Secondary market prices, valuation trajectory, equity structure, and liquidity outlook for employees choosing between Stripe and Epic Games.
Stripe
Global payments infrastructure.
IPO highly anticipated, likely 2026–2027 given massive scale. One of the most closely watched pre-IPO names in tech.
Recurring revenue model; ISO/NSO options; IPO likely once profitability demonstrated
Epic Games
Creator of Fortnite (350M+ registered players) and Unreal Engine (the dominant real-time 3D platform used in films, architecture, and automotive visualisation).
IPO possible 2026–2028 as scale builds. No confirmed timeline; tender offers may provide interim liquidity.
Consumer brand with network effects; ISO/NSO options; IPO when unit economics proven
Key differences for employees
Equity structure
Stripe grants ISO/NSO with strike prices ranging from $85–$110 depending on your grant year. Epic Games grants ISO/NSO with strike prices from $60–$85.
Secondary market premium
The secondary market is pricing Stripe at a +0% premium over its last primary round ($159B → $159B). Epic Games trades at +3% over its last round ($31.5B → $32.4B). A higher secondary premium signals stronger investor demand and potentially better near-term liquidity for employees looking to sell.
Revenue and growth
Stripe runs at $9.5B ARR, growing +34% YoY (solid). Epic Games runs at $5.5B ARR, growing +8% YoY. Revenue growth rate matters for equity because it drives the peer-multiple valuation — the method most correlated with exit multiples.
Liquidity timeline
Stripe: IPO highly anticipated, likely 2026–2027 given massive scale. One of the most closely watched pre-IPO names in tech.
Epic Games: IPO possible 2026–2028 as scale builds. No confirmed timeline; tender offers may provide interim liquidity.
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.