Cap Table Calculator for Startup Equity and Dilution
Use this cap table calculator to model startup ownership, equity splits, option pools and dilution across multiple funding rounds. See how Pre-Seed, Seed and Series A–C investments affect founders and investors in a clear, structured way.
Founders
Most startups choose between 1-10 million shares for the initial capitalization. More shares allow for more precise allocation percentages.
Option Pool
What is an option pool? An option pool reserves a portion of your company's shares for future employees, advisors, and service providers. It's an incentive mechanism that allows these stakeholders to share in the company's success without requiring immediate cash compensation.
The typical option pool size for early-stage startups ranges from 10-20%. Consider your future hiring plans when determining the size of your pool. Remember that the option pool will dilute the founders proportionally before investment.
Pre-Seed
Pre-money valuation is the company's value before the investment. The post-money valuation equals pre-money plus the investment amount. Higher pre-money valuations result in less dilution for existing shareholders.
Typical Pre-Seed raise: $50K to $500K
Purpose: Very early funding to get an idea off the ground (often just a concept or prototype).
Investors: Founders, friends and family, sometimes angel investors or early-stage micro-VCs.
Seed
Pre-money valuation is the company's value before the investment. The post-money valuation equals pre-money plus the investment amount. Higher pre-money valuations result in less dilution for existing shareholders.
Typical Seed raise: $500K to $2M+
Purpose: Build the product, find product-market fit, hire a small team.
Investors: Angel investors, seed-focused VCs, accelerators (like Y Combinator).
Series A
Pre-money valuation is the company's value before the investment. The post-money valuation equals pre-money plus the investment amount. Higher pre-money valuations result in less dilution for existing shareholders.
Typical Series A raise: $2M to $15M+
Purpose: Scale the product, optimize the business model, expand the team.
Investors: Venture capital firms (early-stage VCs).
Series B
Pre-money valuation is the company's value before the investment. The post-money valuation equals pre-money plus the investment amount. Higher pre-money valuations result in less dilution for existing shareholders.
Typical Series B raise: $15M to $50M+
Purpose: Accelerate growth, expand to new markets, scale operations.
Investors: Larger venture capital firms, growth equity firms.
Series C
Pre-money valuation is the company's value before the investment. The post-money valuation equals pre-money plus the investment amount. Higher pre-money valuations result in less dilution for existing shareholders.
Typical Series C raise: $50M to $100M+
Purpose: Significant expansion, international growth, acquisitions, preparation for IPO or exit.
Investors: Late-stage VCs, private equity firms, hedge funds, corporate strategic investors.
