Fundraising
Cap Table
Quick definition
A record of all ownership interests in your company.
A capitalization table tracks every share, option, warrant, and convertible instrument — by holder, class, and vesting status. Most startups run their cap table on platforms like Carta, Pulley, or AngelList. Accuracy matters intensely at diligence.
Related fundraising terms
SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity)
Convertible instrument commonly used for early-stage rounds.
409A Valuation
Independent valuation of common stock used to set option strike prices.
Pro Rata Right
An investor's right to maintain their ownership % in future rounds.
Pre-money SAFE
Original SAFE form (2013) that converts based on the company's valuation cap before the new round, diluting only existing holders.
See this in action
Insights and tools where Cap Table shows up.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Cap Table?
- A capitalization table tracks every share, option, warrant, and convertible instrument — by holder, class, and vesting status. Most startups run their cap table on platforms like Carta, Pulley, or AngelList. Accuracy matters intensely at diligence.
- Why is Cap Table important for startups?
- Cap Table is a fundraising concept that matters for startup founders because it directly affects fundraising readiness, financial decision-making, or operational discipline at the stage where mistakes are expensive to undo. Founders who understand it have a meaningfully easier time in diligence, board meetings, and investor conversations.
- What category does Cap Table belong to?
- Cap Table is a Fundraising term in the StartupCFO finance glossary — alongside other fundraising concepts that founders, CFOs, and accountants use in daily startup operations and reporting.
- Where can I learn more about Cap Table?
- Beyond this definition, see the related fundraising terms below, or explore StartupCFO's insights and tools that put Cap Table in context. For specific situations, talk to a fractional CFO who can walk through your numbers.
Service spotlight
Cap table getting messy?
We reconcile your cap table to legal docs, model dilution scenarios for your next round, and prep the data room your investors will ask for.
