Cap Table Template
Track equity ownership, dilution, and funding rounds.
What's Included:
- Shareholder registry with ownership percentages and share classes
- Funding round modeler showing pre-money, post-money, and dilution per round
- Option pool tracking with granted, exercised, and available shares
- Exit waterfall analysis showing proceeds distribution at different valuations
Available Formats:
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A cap table tracks who owns what percentage of your company and how that ownership changes through funding rounds, option grants, and conversions. Keeping an accurate cap table is not optional—it is a legal and fiduciary requirement that investors, acquirers, and regulators will scrutinize.
The exit waterfall analysis is the most eye-opening feature. It shows that not all equity is created equal—liquidation preferences, participation rights, and anti-dilution provisions can dramatically change who gets paid and how much at different exit valuations. Understanding your waterfall before negotiating term sheets is essential.
How to Use This Template
Enter Founding Equity
Add each founder with their share count and vesting schedule. Enter the initial authorized share pool and any stock option pool set aside.
Model Funding Rounds
For each funding round, enter the investment amount and pre-money valuation. The template calculates new shares issued, dilution, and updated ownership percentages.
Run Exit Scenarios
Enter potential exit valuations in the waterfall analysis to see how proceeds would be distributed among shareholders accounting for liquidation preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is dilution and how does it affect founders?
Dilution occurs when new shares are issued (for investors, employees, or advisors), reducing existing shareholders' ownership percentage. Raising $2M at a $10M pre-money valuation dilutes existing holders by approximately 17%. This template calculates exact dilution for each round.
What is a liquidation preference and why does it matter?
A liquidation preference gives investors the right to get their money back (1x) or a multiple (2x+) before common shareholders receive anything in an exit. A 1x non-participating preference is standard and fair. This template models preferences in the exit waterfall so you can see their impact at different valuations.
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