Free tools / Cofounder Equity Calculator
Split equity with your cofounder
A percentage split per founder with the five factors that produced it, so the number is arguable rather than asserted.
The full read
These numbers are only as good as the idea underneath them. Pressure-test the whole thing: market sizing from real sources, the risks that could kill it, and a 2-week test plan.
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Rate each founder across five factors and get a defensible split.
Splitting equity by gut feel breeds resentment. This calculator uses the Founders' Pie approach: rate each cofounder across five factors and get a percentage split you can actually discuss.
Each factor (idea, commitment, capital, expertise, responsibility) is scored 0 to 10 for each founder. The split is simply each founder's total points as a share of the combined total.
The numbers are a starting point for an honest conversation, not a verdict. The real value is forcing both founders to say out loud what they think each is bringing.
Whatever you land on, put it in a vesting schedule (typically four years with a one-year cliff) so equity reflects who actually sticks around.
Want proof it’s not made up? See real ideas run through this tool: the buyer, the spots, and the opener actually sent.
Questions
3 answeredHow should cofounders split equity?
Rate each founder across idea, commitment, capital, expertise, and responsibility, then give each their share of the total points: the Founders' Pie method. It turns a gut-feel split into a decision you can defend.
Is a 50/50 cofounder split a good idea?
Only if the contributions are genuinely equal. Splitting 50/50 just to avoid an awkward conversation breeds resentment later. Score the five factors above to see what an honest split actually looks like.
Should cofounder equity vest?
Yes. Put whatever you agree into a vesting schedule, typically four years with a one-year cliff, so equity reflects who actually sticks around rather than who was there on day one.
The guide behind this tool
How to split equity between cofounders
Split cofounder equity by rating each founder on commitment, capital, expertise and responsibility. A defensible split beats a gut-feel 50/50. Vest everything.
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