Founder Fundamentals Cap Table Literacy

---
name: founder-fundamentals-cap-table-literacy
description: "Ownership math through rounds: dilution, option pools, liquidation preferences in plain terms."
---
# Read your cap table like an investor does

> Ownership math through rounds: dilution, option pools, liquidation preferences in plain terms.

**Track:** 🚀 Startup & Founders · **Domain:** Founder Fundamentals · **Level:** intermediate · **~30 min**

**Who this is for:** Founders, Indie Hackers, Early Employees, Solopreneurs

## When to Use This Skill

Ownership math through rounds: dilution, option pools, liquidation preferences in plain terms.
Use it whenever a matching task appears in conversation — the agent loads these instructions on demand.

## Steps

1. Model each round's dilution BEFORE term sheets arrive
2. Understand liquidation preference multiples and participation rights fully
3. Maintain realistic option-pool top-ups inside pre-money negotiation
4. Track 4-year vesting for all founder shares from day one
5. Simulate exit scenarios at various prices; see who actually gets paid
6. Use cap-table software from first SAFE — spreadsheets rot dangerously

## Common Pitfalls

- Participating-preferred surprises consuming common at modest exits
- Option pool expansion discovered post-signing

## Commands

**Install with skills CLI**
```bash
npx skills add aniruddhaadak80/skills --skill founder-fundamentals-cap-table-literacy
```

**Install globally**
```bash
npx skills add aniruddhaadak80/skills --skill founder-fundamentals-cap-table-literacy -g
```

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Part of [aniruddhaadak80/skills](https://github.com/aniruddhaadak80/skills) · Browse all at https://skills.sh/aniruddhaadak80/skills