Finance · Self-paced course
Cap Table and Equity Basics
Understand how startup ownership works, build a clean cap table and see how founder splits, option pools and funding rounds affect everyone's stake.
$147
What this is
An educational, self-paced course explaining startup equity in plain language: shares and ownership, founder splits and vesting, employee option pools, how SAFEs and priced rounds change the cap table, and what happens to equity in an exit. Worked examples use hypothetical numbers you can rebuild in a spreadsheet.
What you will be able to do
- Explain shares, ownership percentages and fully diluted ownership
- Build a simple cap table from scratch
- Understand founder vesting and why it matters
- Explain how an employee option pool works
- Model dilution from SAFEs and a priced round
- Understand how liquidation preferences affect exit payouts
The curriculum
Ownership Basics
- Shares and Ownership
- Building Your First Cap Table
- Founder Splits
Vesting and Option Pools
- Founder Vesting
- Employee Option Pools
- Explaining Equity to Employees
Funding and Dilution
- How SAFEs and Notes Convert
- Modelling a Priced Round
- Dilution Over Multiple Rounds
Exits and Housekeeping
- Liquidation Preferences and Exits
- Keeping the Cap Table Clean
- Your Equity Checklist
This is for you if…
- You are a founder setting up or managing your cap table
- You are considering a raise and want to understand dilution
- You are an early employee who wants to understand your equity
What you get
- 12 written lessons across 4 modules
- A free preview lesson so you can see the format first
- Self-paced access from your account — start any time
- Secure one-time checkout
Probably not for you if…
- You need legal or tax advice on a specific equity transaction (consult qualified professionals)
Questions
Is this legal, tax or financial advice?
No. It is educational material only. Consult qualified professionals before any equity transaction.
Do I need a spreadsheet?
It helps. The worked examples can be rebuilt in any spreadsheet, and the STL Cap Table Template is available separately.
How long does it take?
There are 12 written lessons with exercises. Go at your own pace.
Educational content only. No income, revenue, funding or other results are promised or implied. This course does not award any certification, credential or licence.