Linear

Linear offers a 10-year extended exercise window for equity options, early exercise in the US, and equity refreshers. CEO Karri Saarinen designed this from "firsthand experience at previous startups where I had to exercise options within 90 days." In August 2025, Linear completed a tender offer allowing employees to sell vested options at the $1.25B Series C valuation. "Linear Infinity" includes paid sabbaticals and 5 weeks PTO. The company maintains a 96% retention rate over four years.

Linear has operated as a fully remote company since its founding in 2019. The 99-person team spans 15+ countries across 10 time zones. CEO Karri Saarinen stated building remote-first was "a design choice" because "builders deserve freedom: freedom of place, freedom of rhythm, freedom of deep focus." In 2025, Linear added optional co-working hubs in Berlin, New York, and San Francisco with "no expectation to show up." Annual company offsites replace mandatory office time.

Linear laid off some staff in 2023. Issue tracking startup streamlining.