The CEO of a Norwegian hardware startup shared a pitch deck with me that had an unusual slide: It included the company’s capitalization table — the breakdown of who owns what part of the company.

Three investors have asked about your cap table. You nodded confidently. Then you opened a spreadsheet later and realized you weren’t actually sure what they were asking for or why it mattered so much ...

I’m often asked whether employees should have access to the company’s cap table. The cap table is one of the most sensitive and critical documents in any startup. At its most basic level, it lays out ...

Maintaining a clean cap table is crucial for startups seeking investment. It provides investors with a clear understanding of the ownership structure, builds trust, and facilitates informed ...

In startup fundraising, ownership structure can be as decisive as revenue growth or market size. Investors often review a company’s capitalization table, a record of who owns what, before committing ...

Orrick's Founder Series offers monthly top tips for UK startups on key considerations at each stage of their lifecycle, from incorporating a company through to possible exit strategies. The Series is ...

The capitalisation table or the “cap table” provides a clear breakdown of a company’s ownership structure, outlining who holds majority stakes in the company and how much ownership each stake ...

Founders frequently underestimate the equity dilution impacts of funding rounds and employee stock option plans (ESOPs). Consider two stark examples: Eric Yuan's ownership in Zoom dwindled to 22% by ...