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Learning nodeOwnership / equity Medium confidence
Cap table
Last reviewed 2026-03-30 · Educational content only — no partner offers on this page.
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Explain it like I’m new
A spreadsheet showing who owns what in a company — founders, investors, and employees with equity.
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Technical version
A capitalization table detailing the equity ownership structure of a company, including share classes, options, warrants, and convertible securities.
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Why people get confused
- ✕‘1% of the company is always 1%.’ Future rounds dilute existing holders.
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What decision this affects
Why it matters
Your equity’s value depends on the cap table, not just your share count.
- →Ask for your fully-diluted percentage, not just share count.
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Related next concepts
Ownership / equity
RSU
Restricted Stock Units — company shares your employer promises you, which you actually receive after a vesting schedule.
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Ownership / equity
Vesting
The schedule on which you actually earn equity or retirement contributions you’ve been promised.
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Part of a learning path
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Trusted sources
Educational — no commercial relationship.
Questions people ask
- What is dilution?
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