Cap Table Template for SaaS Founders (Spreadsheet Swipe)
last updated: Apr 23, 2026
Managing equity early on is the easiest way to prevent a disaster later. If you mess up your cap table at the pre-seed stage, you're setting yourself up for a nightmare when it's time to raise real capital. Use this simple spreadsheet layout to track ownership and avoid giving away your company by mistake.
TL;DR
- Benchmark: Founder equity pre-seed sits between 75-85%.
- Rule: Keep it dead simple until you price an institutional round.
- Warning: Issuing massive equity chunks to early advisors will ruin your ownership math before you even launch.
Glossary
- Fully diluted shares: The total number of shares if every single option and warrant gets exercised.
- Option pool: A carved out chunk of equity reserved for future employees.
- Authorized shares: The maximum number of shares your company is legally allowed to issue.
How to set up your template
- Create your file: Open a blank workbook and create two tabs.
- Paste the summary: Copy the first text block into tab one.
- Adjust the formulas: Verify that column D accurately divides individual shares by the total sum in cell C5.
The asset
Copy the structure below into your spreadsheet. For general setups, you can reference a standard cap table template, but the layout below is optimized for an early software startup.
Tab 1: Summary Table
Tab 2: Option Pool Tracker
Benchmarks
Sample math: If you authorize 10,000,000 shares total:
- Founders issue themselves a combined 7,500,000-8,500,000 shares.
- The option pool takes the remaining 1,500,000-2,500,000 shares.
- Total ownership always equals exactly 100%.
Spreadsheet vs software
A spreadsheet is fine for day one. It is free and forces you to learn the math. Software (like Carta or Pulley) costs money but handles complex vesting schedules and compliance automatically. Start with a spreadsheet, then move to software before raising your seed round.
Risks
The biggest risk is dead equity. If a co-founder leaves in month three with 25% of the company and no vesting schedule, your startup is un-fundable. Always include a standard four-year vesting schedule with a one-year cliff for everyone, including founders.
Will a flawless cap table equity model get you to $10K MRR?
A flawless equity model is worthless if your SaaS fails to monetize. Perfect execution on a cap table will not save a weak offer, a weak product, or bad market timing. Tactics without strategy mean nothing. Are you absolutely sure your current roadmap will hit $10K Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) in the next 90 days? Get your equity math locked in, then get back to selling. Fix your foundation before you launch.
FAQ
- You:How big should my option pool be?Guide:You should reserve 10-15% of your total shares for future employees. Raising this too early just dilutes the founders unnecessarily.
- You:Should I use a spreadsheet or dedicated software?Guide:A spreadsheet is fine for day one. Once you prepare for outside capital, you will likely need a structured seed cap table builder or dedicated tracking software.
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