Alternative Development Incentives for Long-term Engagement:

1. Milestone-Based Equity Vesting:
   • Instead of traditional time-based vesting, tie equity grants to specific, long-term product development milestones. This could be the launch of new features, achieving certain user engagement metrics, or hitting revenue targets from new products.
2. Performance Shares:
   • Allocate shares that vest based on the performance of the product over multiple cycles (e.g., every 18 months). These could be tied to innovation metrics, customer satisfaction scores, or market share growth.
3. Cyclical Profit Sharing:
   • Implement a system where profits from the product development are shared annually or bi-annually with the team involved, based on performance metrics. This encourages continuous improvement and innovation.
4. Innovation Bonuses:
   • Instead of equity, offer bonuses for ideas or projects that significantly advance the product or business. These could be one-time payments or ongoing if the innovation leads to sustained growth.
5. Rotation of Project Leadership:
   • Create a system where team members rotate through leadership roles on different projects. This not only develops skills but also keeps engagement high by providing new challenges and learning opportunities.
6. Hackathons and Innovation Days:
   • Regularly schedule events where developers can work on passion projects or solve specific company problems. Reward the best ideas or implementations with bonuses, recognition, or small equity grants.
7. Patent Incentives:
   • Encourage patent filings for new inventions or improvements. Those who contribute could receive a one-time bonus or a small equity grant upon patent approval, fostering an environment of continuous innovation.
8. Long-term Project Ownership:
   • Assign developers or teams as "owners" of long-term projects with incentives tied to project success metrics over several years, not just immediate outcomes.
9. Skill Development Programs:
   • Offer training or certification programs for your team, with incentives for completing them, especially if they lead to innovations in your product.
10. Equity Refresh Grants:
    • For those who have fully vested their initial equity grants, offer "refresh grants" that vest over another period, encouraging them to stay and continue contributing to long-term goals.