A capitalization table, also known as a cap table, is a document that outlines the actual ownership percentage of a company, showing the breakdown of ownership stakes among shareholders, including common shareholders, preferred shareholders, and options and warrants holders. Additionally, it includes company’s ownership information on the number of shares outstanding, the price per share, and the percentage of stock ownership held by each shareholder.
Capitalization Table Template
A cap table template, also known as a table template, is a tool used to track a company’s ownership structure. It includes information on the number of shares outstanding, the percentage of stock ownership held by each shareholder, and any options or warrants outstanding.
For example, a startup company XYZ has 10 million shares outstanding and the following shareholders:
- Founder A holds 2 million shares, or 20% of the company’s ownership
- Investor B holds 3 million shares, or 30% economic ownership stake in the company
- Employee options pool holds 2 million shares, or 20% ownership stake in the company
- Remaining 3 million shares, or 30% recording ownership in the company, is available for future funding round or issuing shares.
This cap table example illustrates how a cap table template can provide a clear understanding of a company’s equity structure, including the distribution of shares among shareholders and the availability of shares for future investment rounds.
Here is a simple cap table template for a startup company:
This capitalization table shows the number of shares held by each investor, their percentage ownership of the company, and the pre- and post-money valuations of the company after each round of investment.
Importance of a Capitalization Table for Startups
Importance of Cap Tables for Funding Rounds
Understanding the accounting ownership of a company is crucial for raising capital, especially during funding rounds. A capitalization table provide potential investors with information on the current equity ownership of the company and the number of shares outstanding, which helps investors to understand their potential ownership percentage after investing.
For startups seeking venture capital, an updated cap table is a formal legal record to show the current equity ownership of the company and the number of shares outstanding, which helps venture capitalists to understand their potential ownership percentage after investing.
Importance of a Capitalization Table for Determining the Value of the Company
A capitalization table provide valuable information for determining the value of a company, as it shows the number of shares outstanding and the price per share.
This information is used in various valuation methods, such as the diluted earnings per share method, which takes into account the potential ownership dilution from options and warrants.
Importance of Cap Tables for Major Company Decisions
A capitalization table shows the distribution of company’s securities among shareholders, which is important for determining decision-making power.
For example, if a company’s founders hold a large percentage of the shares, they may have more voting power and influence on the direction of the company.
It also allows the company to identify who the largest shareholders and potential investors are, which is important for corporate governance and decision-making.
Components of a Capitalization Table
Common Shareholders
Holders of common stock, which represents ownership in the company.
They typically have voting rights and are entitled to dividends if declared by the company.
They may also have certain rights in the event of a liquidation or sale of the company.
Components of a Capitalization Table
Outstanding Shares: Represent the total number of shares that have been issued to shareholders and are currently held by them.
Authorized Shares: Represent the total number of shares that the company is authorized to issue by its articles of incorporation.
Shares Owned: Represent the total number of shares that are currently held by the shareholders.
Shares Reserved: Represent the total number of shares that are reserved for future issuance, such as employee stock options or future funding rounds.
Common Shareholders: Holders of common stock, which represents ownership in the company. They typically have voting rights and are entitled to dividends if declared by the company. They may also have certain rights in the event of a liquidation or sale of the company.
Preferred Shareholders: Holders of preferred stock, which represents a type of equity ownership with specific terms and conditions. They typically have priority over common shareholders in terms of dividends and liquidation rights. They may also have conversion rights, allowing them to convert their preferred shares into common shares. Preferred shareholders may also have some rights to vote on certain matters, but usually less than common shareholders.
For more on this, check out our guide on Electronic Cap Tables.
How to Create a Cap Table
Creating a cap table can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some steps you can take to create a cap table for your startup:
- Gather all relevant information: Collect all the information you have on the current equity ownership of your company, including the number of shares outstanding, the price per share, and the percentage of stock ownership held by each shareholder.
- Create a spreadsheet: Create a spreadsheet with columns for the shareholder’s name, the number of shares they own, the percentage of ownership they hold, and any other relevant information, such as options or warrants outstanding.
- Input the data: Input all the information you’ve gathered into the spreadsheet. Make sure the data is accurate and up-to-date.
- Calculate the total number of shares outstanding: Make sure the total number of shares outstanding adds up to the number of shares issued by the company.
- Calculate the percentage of ownership: Calculate the percentage of ownership for each shareholder by dividing the number of shares they own by the total number of shares outstanding.
- Review and update: Review the cap table for accuracy and make any necessary updates. Keep in mind that the information on the cap table will change over time as the company issues new shares or raises capital.
For more details on managing your cap table, see our article on Managing Your SPV’s Capitalization Table.
Cap Table Best Practices
- Keep it accurate: Make sure the information on cap tables is accurate and up-to-date. A cap table is a legal document and inaccuracies can have serious consequences.
- Keep it organized: Keep the cap table organized and easy to read. This will make it easier for potential investors and other stakeholders to understand the equity ownership stakes structure of your company.
- Keep it updated: Make sure to update the cap table regularly as the equity ownership structure of your company changes.
- Keep it confidential: Cap tables contain sensitive information about the equity ownership of a company and should be kept confidential to protect the company’s interests.
By following these steps and best practices, you can create capitalization tables that accurately reflects the equity ownership structure of your company and helps you make informed decisions about issuing equity, raising capital, and managing the ownership structure of the company.
Advanced Cap Table Considerations
Creating a cap table for your startup is an important step, but there are a few more advanced considerations to keep in mind as your company grows.
Dilution
Ownership dilution occurs when the total number of shares outstanding increases, which can happen when a company issues new shares or options. This can decrease the percentage of ownership held by existing shareholders, also known as dilutive effect. Understanding dilution is important when it comes to fundraising, as it can affect the potential ownership percentage for new investors.
Different Liquidation Preferences
Liquidation preference is a term used to describe the order in which investors will be paid out in the event of a liquidity scenario or sale of the company. Preferred shareholders typically have a higher liquidation preference than common shareholders, which means they will be paid out first upon a liquidity event. Understanding liquidation preference is important when it comes to fundraising and decision-making in corporate governance.
Vesting
Vesting is a term used to describe the process by which key employees earn the right to own shares in a company over time. This is typically done to align the interests of employees with the company’s success and to retain key talent. It’s important to understand vesting when it comes to managing the employee option pool and employee stock options.
Tax Implications
There are tax implications to consider when issuing shares, raising capital, and making other decisions related to equity ownership. It’s important to consult with a tax professional to understand the tax implications of different actions, such as issuing stock options or issuing new shares.
Cap Table Management Software and Tools
Manually creating and updating a cap table can be time-consuming and prone to errors. Fortunately, there are a variety of software and tools available that can help automate the process and make it easier to manage your cap table.
Some of the popular cap table software include:
- Eqvista: It is a web-based tool that helps with equity management, including creating and updating cap tables. It also provides features like electronic signature, document management, and 409A valuations.
- Capdesk: It is a web-based tool that helps with equity management, including creating and updating cap tables. It also provides features like electronic signature, document management, and 409A valuations.
- Sharespost: It is a web-based tool that helps with equity management, including creating and updating cap tables. It also provides features like electronic signature, document management, and 409A valuations.
When choosing cap table software, make sure to consider your company’s specific needs, such as the number of shareholders, the frequency of equity transactions, and the need for compliance with regulatory requirements.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a cap table is a critical document for any startup, providing a clear picture of the equity ownership structure of the company. It is important for fundraising, determining the value of the company, and decision-making in corporate governance. By creating and managing a cap table, startups can make informed decisions about issuing equity, raising capital, and managing the ownership structure of the company.
Creating a cap table can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. By gathering all relevant information, creating a spreadsheet, inputting the data, and reviewing and updating the cap table, startups can create a cap table that accurately reflects the equity ownership structure of their company.
Advanced considerations such as dilution, liquidation preference, vesting and tax implications are important to keep in mind, and it’s always recommended to consult with experienced venture capitalists and financial advisors for help and guidance.
Cap table management software and tools can make the process of creating and managing a cap table much easier and efficient. It’s important to choose the software that best fits the company’s needs and to consult with experienced venture capitalists and financial advisors when using the software.
Overall, by understanding the importance and process of creating and managing a cap table, startups can make informed decisions about equity ownership and navigate the fundraising and growth process with confidence.