Cap Table Calculator
Calculate and manage your startup's capitalization table. Track ownership stakes, analyze dilution impact, and plan future funding rounds with our comprehensive calculator.
Company Details
Add New Shareholder
Cap Table Summary
Share Price
$0.500
Ownership Distribution
40.0%
$2,000,000
40.0%
$2,000,000
10.0%
$500,000
Total Shares
10,000,000
Valuation
$5,000,000
Share Class Distribution
Common Shares
8,000,000
Preferred Shares
1,000,000
Option Pool
1,000,000
Understanding Cap Tables
Key Components
- • Share Classes
- • Ownership Percentages
- • Option Pool
- • Investment Terms
Important Factors
- • Dilution Impact
- • Conversion Rights
- • Vesting Schedules
- • Pro-rata Rights
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Interesting History
Early Origins
Cap tables emerged in the late 19th century with the rise of modern corporations. The first formal ownership records were maintained by companies like Standard Oil and U.S. Steel, pioneering modern equity management practices.
Venture Capital Era
The 1960s and 1970s saw the birth of modern venture capital, led by firms like Kleiner Perkins and Sequoia Capital. This period introduced sophisticated cap table structures with multiple share classes and complex investment terms.
Digital Revolution
The startup boom of the 1990s and 2000s brought cap table management into the digital age, with the introduction of specialized software and platforms for equity management, revolutionizing how companies track ownership.
Key Features
Ownership Tracking
- Real-time equity ownership monitoring
- Multiple share class support
- Automated dilution calculations
- Historical ownership tracking
Investment Management
- Funding round modeling
- Convertible note handling
- SAFE agreement support
- Pro-rata rights tracking
Employee Equity
- Option pool management
- Vesting schedule tracking
- Exercise price calculations
- RSU and PSU support
Analysis Tools
- Waterfall analysis
- Exit scenario modeling
- Valuation impact assessment
- Round planning tools
How to Manage Your Cap Table
Share Structure
Organize your shares into appropriate classes and track ownership clearly:
- 1. Define share classes (Common, Preferred)
- 2. Track ownership percentages
- 3. Maintain option pool
- 4. Document investment terms
Best Practices
- • Keep accurate, up-to-date records
- • Model future rounds
- • Track vesting schedules
- • Document all changes
Frequently Asked Questions
Basics
Fundamental concepts of cap tables
Managing Your Cap Table: A Strategic Guide
Understanding Cap Table Management
Think of your cap table as your company's DNA sequence. It tells the story of your company's ownership evolution and sets the foundation for future growth. Like DNA, it needs to be precisely maintained and carefully modified as your company evolves.
Cap Table Structure
Key Elements:
- Common Stock: Founders and employees
- Preferred Stock: Investors
- Options Pool: Future employees
- Convertible Securities: Notes, SAFEs
Strategic Framework
1. Ownership Planning
Key Considerations:
- Founder allocations
- Employee pool size
- Investor allocations
- Future round planning
2. Share Structure
- Define share classes
- Set share prices
- Plan vesting schedules
- Document rights and preferences
Case Study: Cap Table Evolution
Company Journey:
- Starting: 100% founder-owned
- Seed Round: 20% to investors
- Option Pool: 15% reserved
- Series A: 25% to new investors
- Final founder ownership: 40%
Cap Table Management Strategy
Initial Setup:
- Define share classes
- Allocate founder shares
- Create option pool
- Document all terms
Ongoing Management:
- Track vesting
- Monitor dilution
- Update for transactions
- Model scenarios
Future Planning:
- Model funding rounds
- Plan option pool increases
- Consider exit scenarios
- Track key metrics
Cap Table Benchmarks
15%
Target Option Pool
25%
Seed Round Dilution
40%
Target Founder Ownership