ByteDance has recently implemented a stock option grant plan for its Seed division, primarily covering technical employees working on large language models. According to sources, employees can receive 90,000, 110,000, or 130,000 ByteDance options monthly based on their comprehensive performance and job levels, with monthly vesting over an expected 18-month distribution period. The cumulative total options could reach millions.

Internal ByteDance employees have expressed "envy for Seed" on company platforms, describing the division as the current "golden department" within the company. Earlier reports indicated that the Seed division launched an independent option incentive mechanism for core employees to attract top global AI talent, with grants valued at a $5 billion valuation—significantly below current market expectations. Notifications have already been sent to key personnel recently.

Public information shows that ByteDance's Seed division was established in 2023 as a crucial component of the company's Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) strategy. The Doubao large language model is primarily developed by this division, with its internal AGI research team codenamed "Seed Edge."

Industry observers view ByteDance's high-intensity internal incentive program as an effort to further consolidate core talent and strengthen the technical moat around its large language model initiatives. One industry professional joked: "With Seed distributing options like this, competitors won't be able to poach talent anymore."

ByteDance has not responded to requests for comment regarding these developments.