Startup Warriors
A daily podcast delivering practical insights, proven strategies, and expert advice to help early-stage founders successfully raise capital. Each weekday, we break down one critical topic in startup fundraising.
Startup Warriors
Ep 47: Cap Table - Checklist for Founders
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
In this episode, we break down everything startup founders need to know about mastering their capitalization table—your ultimate strategic tool for securing investment, retaining control, and maximizing long-term value. Drawing on insights from leading VCs, accelerator programs, and seasoned entrepreneurs, we cover the essentials: what a cap table is, why a clean one is non-negotiable for fundraising, the impact of dilution, how to strategically allocate equity, and the investor terms you must understand.
Key takeaways:
- Treat your cap table as a living, continuously updated document—not a one-time setup.
- Understand and model “good” vs. “bad” dilution to make smart funding decisions.
- Plan ESOPs before fundraising to optimize ownership and investor appeal.
- Track SAFEs and convertible notes as future equity from day one.
- Use dedicated software and expert guidance to avoid costly mistakes.
This guide gives you the tools to transform your cap table from a messy liability into a powerful, investor-ready asset.
If you need assistance raising capital, visit startupwarriors.io/podcast.