If you're searching for how much will I be diluted in Series A, you're trying to solve a real problem, not collect definitions. This guide walks through it step by step, the way we'd explain it to a founder sitting across the table.
Quick Answer
How much will I be diluted in Series A comes down to your specific numbers, not a generic rule of thumb — the fastest way to get a real answer is to model it against your actual cap table instead of a spreadsheet estimate.
- Start from your real numbers, not an industry average
- Revisit this every time you issue new equity or close a round
- Use a live cap table so the math updates automatically
What Dilution Actually Means
What Dilution Actually Means. Here's what that covers: you don't lose equity, you gain company value, but your % ownership goes down—here's why, and how it plays out in practice. This is where dilution actually shows up on your cap table.
You don't lose equity, you gain company value
You don't lose equity, you gain company value. This is the step most founders underestimate — worth getting right before it turns into a bigger cleanup job later.
But your % ownership goes down—here's why
But your % ownership goes down—here's why. It sounds minor until it isn't, usually right when an investor or new hire is looking at the numbers.
The psychology: How dilution affects founder motivation
The psychology: How dilution affects founder motivation. Get this wrong early and it compounds quietly until your next round forces the issue.
Carta's Data vs Reality: What You Should Expect
Carta's Data vs Reality: What You Should Expect. Here's what that covers: carta says median dilution at series a is 17.9%, but ai startups see 15% dilution, and how it plays out in practice.
Carta says median dilution at Series A is 17.9%
Carta says median dilution at Series A is 17.9%. Get this wrong early and it compounds quietly until your next round forces the issue. Carta publishes aggregate data but doesn't help individual founders model their specific situation.
But AI startups see 15% dilution
But AI startups see 15% dilution. — specifically, higher bar. Pulley has modeling but it's inside platform (require signup).
Non-AI startups: up to 25% dilution
Non-AI startups: up to 25% dilution. — specifically, harsher terms. Lovie: public interactive tool + education.
Your traction determines YOUR dilution
Your traction determines YOUR dilution. — specifically, not the average.
Model Your Specific Series A Dilution
Model Your Specific Series A Dilution. Here's what that covers: interactive simulator showing:, and how it plays out in practice.
Interactive simulator showing:
Interactive simulator showing:. Most spreadsheet-based cap tables miss this until someone asks a question they can't answer on the spot.
- Pre-Series A cap table
- Investor check size you want
- Post-Series A ownership % (live)
- Your wealth if exit at $X (visualization)
Strategies to Minimize Dilution
Strategies to Minimize Dilution. Here's what that covers: option pool sizing, secondary rounds, and how it plays out in practice.
Option pool sizing
Option pool sizing. — specifically, don't give away your future.
Secondary rounds
Secondary rounds. — specifically, expensive, but dilution-lighter.
SAFE vs priced round
SAFE vs priced round. — specifically, different dilution math.
Pro-rata rights
Pro-rata rights. — specifically, invest in future rounds, keep %.
The Lovie Advantage: Scenario Planning
The Lovie Advantage: Scenario Planning. Here's what that covers: see multiple dilution outcomes before fundraising, model with real carta benchmarks baked in, and how it plays out in practice.
See multiple dilution outcomes before fundraising
See multiple dilution outcomes before fundraising. This is exactly the kind of detail that's easy to skip and expensive to fix retroactively.
Model with real Carta benchmarks baked in
Model with real Carta benchmarks baked in. Most spreadsheet-based cap tables miss this until someone asks a question they can't answer on the spot.
Export to investor deck automatically
Export to investor deck automatically. This is the step most founders underestimate — worth getting right before it turns into a bigger cleanup job later.
One platform to stay founder-owned vs losing control
One platform to stay founder-owned vs losing control. It sounds minor until it isn't, usually right when an investor or new hire is looking at the numbers.
None of this has to live in a spreadsheet you're afraid to open. For more on how much will I be diluted in Series A, Lovie Cap Table is built to handle it alongside formation, funding, and equity tracking — not as three separate tools. It also covers how much will i be diluted in series a basics.