Free tool
Cofounder Equity Calculator
Rate each founder across five factors — 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.
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Common questions
How 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.