Connect with us

Technology

Pilot’s 2025 Founder Salary Report Reveals 43% Drop in Founder Compensation as Capital Efficiency Takes Center Stage

Published

on

The leading accounting firm’s annual report shows dramatic shift in founder compensation as capital efficiency and fewer VC funding opportunities become available

SAN FRANCISCO, April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Pilot,  the leading accounting firm for startups and small businesses, today released its annual Founder Salary Report, revealing a dramatic 43% decrease in median founder compensation over the past year. Based on data from nearly 2,000 founders, the report highlights a fundamental shift in how startup leaders are approaching personal compensation in today’s more challenging funding environment.

“The data is super clear—founders are rethinking compensation,” said Waseem Daher, co-founder & executive chair of Pilot. “We’re seeing founders make smarter calls to extend runway while figuring out reasonable personal compensation. It’s a stark contrast to previous years and signals an ecosystem getting serious about financial discipline—which is exactly what should be happening.”

Key findings from the 2025 Founder Salary Report include:

Median founder salaries dropped 43%: The median founder salary fell from $132,000 in 2024 to $75,000 in 2025, with nearly twice as many founders (60%, up from 37%) now paying themselves less than $100,000 annually.Fewer founders taking zero salary: Only 5.4% of founders reported taking no salary, down from 9% last year. Founder salaries are down as venture capital (VC) is harder to come by, time between rounds is expanding, and bootstrapping is up. When founders invest their own money or funds from family and friends, they typically opt for lower salaries to fund operations, particularly when they believe in the long-term equity outcomes.AI startups buck the trend: In contrast to the overall decline, founders of AI startups (now representing 40% of respondents, up from 14% last year) report higher median compensation of $90,000, reflecting continued investor enthusiasm for the sector. Though like all salaries, AI founder salaries are lower than they were last year.Bootstrapping on the rise: The percentage of bootstrapped companies increased 77% from last year, now representing 18% of surveyed founders, as more entrepreneurs choose self-funding in today’s challenging venture capital environment.

Most founders (31%) reported setting their salaries based primarily on “what the startup can afford,” while those who benchmarked against market rates earned 79% more on average.

“Understanding where you fit in today’s capital-efficient landscape is how you build companies that survive when things get tough,” added Daher. “This isn’t just about cutting costs—it’s about making strategic decisions that balance personal sustainability with runway preservation.”

The 2025 Founder Salary Report is based on responses from 1,844 founders across various industries, funding stages, and geographic regions. The full report includes detailed breakdowns by industry, company size, company phase, funding level, and geographic location.

To download the complete report, visit pilot.com/fsr.

About Pilot

Pilot is an accounting firm that specializes in providing expert bookkeeping, tax preparation, and CFO services specifically designed for startups and small businesses. Headquartered in San Francisco and Nashville, Pilot brings together U.S.-based finance experts and cutting-edge technology to deliver trustworthy financials and actionable insights, helping founders and business owners focus on what they do best—growing their businesses.

Media Contact 

Sarah Evans
sarah@zenmedia.com

Alexandria Hurley
alexandria@zenmedia.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pilots-2025-founder-salary-report-reveals-43-drop-in-founder-compensation-as-capital-efficiency-takes-center-stage-302423961.html

SOURCE Pilot

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Loomis enters Peru through the intended acquisition of Hermes Transportes Blindados via a public tender offer

Published

on

By

STOCKHOLM, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ —  Loomis has entered a Tender Offer Agreement (“TOA”) with CVC Capital Partners and other minority shareholders representing 99.49 percent of the outstanding shares in the Peru-based cash and valuables management company Hemes Transportes Blindados S.A. (“Hermes”), publicly listed on the Lima Stock Exchange. Under the TOA, Loomis will launch a public tender offer (“Oferta Pública de Adquisición”) for up to 100 percent of the shares of Hermes, at an enterprise value of approximately SEK 4 billion on a cash and debt free basis. The public tender offer is expected to be launched during the second or third quarter, with closing anticipated in the third quarter of 2026. 

Hermes was founded in 1985 and is today a leading provider of cash management and secure logistics services in Peru. Hermes provides services that include transport, processing, storage and security custody of valuables such as cash, precious metals and high value minerals, as well as ATM management and collection services. Hermes serves around 1,000 clients across financial, retail, governmental, industrial and mining sectors. The company is publicly listed on the Lima Stock Exchange and is headquartered in Lima with 19 branches across the country. The company employs approximately 3,200 people nationwide and in 2025, Hermes reported revenues of PEN 432 million (approximately SEK 1.2 billion).

“Today we have reached a strategic milestone. Through our most significant acquisition to date, we are entering the Peruvian market. As the leading player in the industry, Hermes has a proven track record of growth, profitability and innovation. Peru has one the fastest growing economies in Latin America, supported by a solid macroeconomic environment and increasing cash usage. I am delighted to welcome more than 3,200 new colleagues to Loomis,” comments Aritz Larrea, President and CEO of Loomis.  

“We are excited to become part of Loomis. Joining a global group with deep expertise in operations like ours strengthens our ability to continue growing with confidence and responsibility. This next chapter strongly supports our purpose of empowering the development of a safer society by protecting resources, building trust, and contributing to stability within the financial system,” comments Mirella Velásquez Castro, CEO of Hermes.  

 Strategic rationale 

Strengthens Loomis’ position in Latin America  
As communicated at the 2024 Capital Markets Day, expanding in emerging Latin American markets is a strategic priority. Peru is an attractive market given its high cash usage, strong economic growth, a solid macro environment, and a stable, independent central bank. Strong potential for growth within the SME customer segment and Automated Solutions  

Hermes’ strong position in the SME segment and its relationship with Loomis’ cash-handling automation solutions under the CIMA brand provide a solid platform to expand Loomis’ Automated Solutions offering in Peru, creating clear growth and synergy opportunities.

Expanding the mining offer with Loomis International 
The acquisition presents strong potential to complement Hermes’ established valuables logistics within the mining sector with Loomis International’s service offering, supporting cross-border expansion and strengthening the combined position in the mining segment. Supports Loomis strategic targets 
The acquisition supports Loomis’ financial targets, contributing to both revenue growth and margin accretion. Hermes also demonstrates strong governance and is at the forefront of sustainability in its market, aligning well with Loomis’ sustainability priorities and targets. 

Overview of the transaction  

Loomis has entered into a Tender Offer Agreement (“TOA”) with CVC Capital Partners and other minority shareholders representing 99.49 percent of the outstanding shares of Hermes (the “Majority Shareholders”), a publicly listed company on the Lima Stock Exchange. Under the TOA, Loomis will, subject to customary terms and conditions, conduct a public tender offer (“Oferta Pública de Adquisición” or “OPA”) to acquire up to 100 percent of Hermes’ outstanding shares. The Majority Shareholders have pursuant to the terms of the TOA undertaken to support the OPA process and confirmed their intention to sell their shares and accept the tender offer once launched. The transaction values Hermes at an enterprise value of SEK 4 billion (PEN 1,450 million) on a cash and debt free basis, representing a 6.6x adjusted EBITDA multiple based on the 2025 financial year. 

The commencement of the OPA is expected during the second or third quarter of 2026. Further details of the transaction, including the offer price and offer conditions, will be provided in the tender offer documentation in accordance with applicable regulations. 

Following completion of the OPA, the business will be reported within Segment Europe and Latin America and consolidated into Loomis as of the transaction closing. Closing is expected to take place during the third quarter of 2026. Following a successful tender offer process, no regulatory approvals are required to complete the acquisition.  

The transaction will be financed entirely through debt with an already committed bridge facility.  

The acquisition is expected to be instantly accretive to the Group’s operating profit (EBITA) as well as earnings per share.  

Conference call 

Loomis invites shareholders, investors, analysts and financial media to a webcast presentation on May 5 at 9.00 a.m. CEST, during which the intended acquisition will be presented, and a Q&A session will be held. 

To follow the webcast, please follow this link.  

To ask questions, please join the conference call using the following dial-in details: 

United Kingdom: +44 (0)161 250 8206USA: +1 (0)561 771 1427Sweden: +46 (0)8 505 100 39

This press release is also available on the company’s website, www.loomis.com

For more information, please contact:  

Aritz Larrea 
President and CEO 

Contact via:  

Jenny Boström  
Head of Sustainability and IR
ir@loomis.com
+46 79 006 45 92

Fredrik Hammarbäck

Media Relations and External Communications Manager
media@loomis.com
+46 76 311 56 29

Important information

The public tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of Hermes Transportes Blindados S.A. described in this communication has not yet commenced. This communication is for informational purposes only, is not a recommendation and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities, nor is it a substitute for the tender offer materials that Loomis AB and its acquisition subsidiary will file with the Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores upon commencement of the tender offer. 

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/loomis-ab/r/loomis-enters-peru-through-the-intended-acquisition-of-hermes-transportes-blindados-via-a-public-ten,c4344257

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/51/4344257/4075002.pdf

Loomis enters Peru through the intended acquisition of Hermes Transportes Blindados via a public tender offer

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/loomis-enters-peru-through-the-intended-acquisition-of-hermes-transportes-blindados-via-a-public-tender-offer-302762026.html

SOURCE Loomis AB

Continue Reading

Technology

Corgi Launches AI Insurance Coverage to Protect Businesses When AI Goes Wrong

Published

on

By

SAN FRANCISCO, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As artificial intelligence becomes deeply embedded in business operations, a new category of risk is emerging: one that traditional insurance policies were never designed to cover. Corgi has announced the launch of its AI Insurance Coverage, a purpose-built solution designed to protect companies from the real-world consequences of AI failures.

From autonomous agents making financial decisions to models generating customer-facing content, AI systems are no longer experimental—they are operational. But when these systems malfunction, produce biased outputs, or act unpredictably, the financial and legal exposure can be significant.

Corgi’s AI Insurance Coverage is designed to fill those gaps.

“Businesses are moving fast with AI, but their insurance hasn’t kept up,” said Nico Laqua, co-founder and CEOat Corgi. “We built this product for the reality companies are already in, where AI is making decisions, taking actions, and sometimes making mistakes.”

Rather than introducing a standalone policy, Corgi’s solution integrates directly with existing Tech E&O policies and introduces a modular approach, allowing companies to tailor protection based on how they use AI.

The coverage is built to address a wide spectrum of AI-related scenarios, including issues stemming from biased algorithms, inaccurate or harmful generated content, misuse of training data, adversarial attacks on models, synthetic media, and autonomous system failures.

Rather than forcing companies into rigid policies, Corgi allows customers to select only the coverage modules relevant to their risk profile, ensuring they pay only for what they need.

The launch comes at a time when traditional insurers and regulators alike are grappling with how to handle AI-related incidents. In some cases, traditional carriers have begun excluding AI-related risks altogether, leaving businesses exposed.

Corgi’s AI Insurance Coverage is available for technology companies, startups, and enterprises deploying AI in production environments.

About Corgi Insurance
Corgi is an AI-native, full-stack insurance carrier built for startups. As a licensed carrier, Corgi designs and manages insurance end-to-end, using modern infrastructure and AI systems to power underwriting, policy management, and claims.

Media Contact
Erika Lee
Corgi
erika@corgi.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/corgi-launches-ai-insurance-coverage-to-protect-businesses-when-ai-goes-wrong-302762029.html

SOURCE Corgi Insurance

Continue Reading

Technology

ISDN Precision System Obtains CE Certification, Plans Debut at SEMICON SEA

Published

on

By

TAIPEI, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ISDN Precision System announced that its linear motors have obtained CE certification, demonstrating compliance with European Union requirements on safety, health, and environmental protection, and granting the company official access to the European market.

The company stated that achieving CE certification indicates its product design and manufacturing processes meet relevant European regulatory standards, and is expected to support future collaboration with international customers in equipment integration and applications.

ISDN Precision System will participate in SEMICON SEA 2026 in May 2026 under the leadership of its parent company, Singapore-based ISDN Holdings. This marks the company’s first participation in an overseas semiconductor exhibition.

According to ISDN Precision System, the exhibition will feature linear motors and high-precision modules, with applications covering semiconductor equipment, laser processing, and optical inspection. Its linear motors support high-speed motion and precision positioning, and are compatible with leading global drive and controller brands for multi-axis configurations. The company also provides customized mechatronic solutions, developing motion systems based on customer requirements.

According to PwC, global semiconductor equipment spending is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of over 7% through 2030, with more than 70% of investments concentrated in Asia. Against this backdrop, as Asia continues to serve as a major hub for semiconductor manufacturing, and with Singapore and Malaysia playing key roles in packaging, testing, and related supply chains, ISDN Precision System is leveraging its parent company’s regional presence to expand its service capabilities.

The company stated that it will continue to strengthen technical capabilities and application integration based on its existing product portfolio, while expanding collaboration opportunities in overseas markets.

About ISDN Holdings Limited
Operating since 1986, ISDN Holdings Limited (SGX: I07) is a fast-growing multi-industry corporation focused on powering smart operations. We help businesses advance their digital capabilities for the Industry 4.0 era while maintaining a keen focus on clean energy in Asia.

About ISDN Precision System
Based in Taiwan, ISDN Precision System specializes in the local production of linear motors, high-precision gantries, and customized mechatronics solutions for the precision manufacturing sector. From its strategic base in Asia, the company has rapidly built an international network to deliver precise and tailored motion solutions to customers worldwide.

Contact ISDN Precision System at marketing@isdn-precision.com 

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/isdn-precision-system-obtains-ce-certification-plans-debut-at-semicon-sea-302758678.html

SOURCE ISDN Precision System

Continue Reading

Trending