Guide for operators
How milestone payments work
Every deal runs the same loop: you submit work against a milestone, the founder reviews it, and payment follows. This is what each step means for you.
Milestone
Pay for Results
You are paid when a milestone is reached.
You and the founder agree on each milestone and what “done” means upfront. If a milestone isn’t completed, payment doesn’t trigger.
The loop
You submit work against a milestone. The founder accepts it or asks for revisions. Acceptance triggers the payment step. A milestone can be a product or revenue target, a date, or an event such as a fundraise closing, which is how fee deferral works on Capstacker.
You and the founder agree on every milestone, and on what "done" means, in the Project Assignment before any work starts.
Review and acceptance
The founder has 10 days by default to accept your work or request revisions. If they do not respond in that time, no response counts as acceptance and the milestone moves on to payment.
Getting paid
Acceptance triggers the payment step, and the founder pays you directly. Payment is due within 15 days. Joining is free, and the 5% processing fee applies only to cash you receive. Your work stays yours until you're paid: IP transfers only after payment, in cash or issued equity.
What Capstacker does and doesn't do
Capstacker is not a party to your agreement. The contract is between you and the founder. Capstacker provides the contracts, the dealroom, and milestone and payment tracking. It doesn't employ operators, guarantee payment, hold or release funds, or resolve disputes.
Either side can end the engagement without cause with 15 days' notice.