RE:That the owners of the acquired company agreed to gibbonsj wrote: voluntary a hold vesting over a three-year period sends a confusing message. If I was selling something of real and immediate value I would want free trading shares. If I was selling something of uncertain value I would be open to a hold period.
This literally doesn't even make sense. In fact it's backwards. If you thought the whole thing was of questionable value (aka, SP might tank) THEN you would want free trading shares so you could sell and get your money out ASAP.
The fact that the owners accepted a three year vesting shows confidence in the longer term outlook.