Equity & cap table guides.
111 plain-English guides on stock options, vesting, 409A valuations, SAFEs, and cap table basics — written for the specific person asking, not a generic definition.
What is a Seed Round
What a seed round means for your startup's cap table, why seed funding definition matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
What is a Venture Capitalist
What a venture capitalist means for your startup's cap table, why what is a venture capitalist? guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity.
How Do Stock Options Work
What stock options work means for your startup's cap table, why stock option basics matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
Preferred Stock vs. Common Stock
What preferred stock vs common stock means for your startup's cap table, why common vs preferred stock rights matters, and how Lovie keeps formation.
Common Stock vs. Preferred Stock
What common stock vs preferred stock means for your startup's cap table, why common stock vs preferred stock guide matters, and how Lovie keeps.
What is an Advisory Share
What an advisory share means for your startup's cap table, why advisor equity matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
What is a Stock Warrant
What a stock warrant means for your startup's cap table, why warrant definition matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
What is an 83b Election
What an 83b election means for your startup's cap table, why 83b election deadline matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
What Does it Mean to Exercise Stock Options
What what does it mean to exercise stock options means for your startup's cap table, why what does it mean to exercise stock options matters, and how.
First-time foundersWhat Is a 409A Valuation — and When Do You Need One?
A 409A valuation sets your strike price for option grants. Here's what it is and the exact events that legally require you to get a new one.
What is a Special Purpose Vehicle
What a special purpose vehicle means for your startup's cap table, why what is a special purpose vehicle guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation.
What is Dilution in Stocks
What dilution in stocks means for your startup's cap table, why stock dilution calculator matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
What is a Liquidity Event
What a liquidity event means for your startup's cap table, why what is a liquidity event guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in.
What is Sbc in Finance
What sbc in finance means for your startup's cap table, why stock-based compensation definition matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in.
Employee Stock Option Management Software
What employee stock option management software means for your startup's cap table, why employee stock option management software matters, and how Lovie.
Best Cap Table Management Software
What best cap table management software means for your startup's cap table, why cap table software comparison matters, and how Lovie keeps formation.
Should I Exercise My Stock Options
What should i exercise my stock options means for your startup's cap table, why stock option exercise decision matters, and how Lovie keeps formation.
What Does Exercise Stock Options Mean
What what does exercise stock options mean means for your startup's cap table, why what does exercise stock options mean matters, and how Lovie keeps.
Founders comparing 409A providers on priceHow Much Does a 409A Valuation Actually Cost?
409A valuations range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Here's what actually drives the price, so you can compare providers fairly.
Cap Table Software for Startups
What cap table software for startups means for your startup's cap table, why best cap table tool startups matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and.
Founders designing their option poolNSO vs. ISO Stock Options: Which Should Your Company Grant?
Deciding between NSOs and ISOs for your option pool? Here's how founders choose grant types before hiring, and how Lovie sets the pool up correctly.
Founders and employees confused by the terminology409A Valuation vs. Fair Market Value: They're Not the Same Thing
A 409A valuation isn't the same thing as fair market value — one is the process, the other is the result. Here's exactly how they relate.
Cap Table Management for Startups
What cap table management for startups means for your startup's cap table, why cap table management for startups matters, and how Lovie keeps formation.
A new employee who just got an offer letterWhat Does "Vested" Mean for My Stock?
Just got an offer letter with 'vested' stock language? Here's what it actually means for you, in plain English, before you sign anything.
Founders on a funding round deadlineHow Long Does a 409A Valuation Actually Take?
Closing a round soon? A standard 409A takes one to two weeks — here's how to avoid it becoming the thing that delays your close.
Free Cap Table Management Software
What free cap table management software means for your startup's cap table, why free cap table spreadsheet matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and.
Pre Money vs. Post Money Safe
What pre money vs post money safe means for your startup's cap table, why pre-money safe definition matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity.
Employees reading an offer letterWhat Does ISO vs. NSO Mean on My Offer Letter?
Your offer letter says ISO or NSO — here's what that means for your taxes at exercise and at sale, explained for the person receiving the grant.
What Are Pro Rata Rights
What pro rata rights means for your startup's cap table, why what are pro rata rights guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
Advisors, consultants, and board membersWhy Am I Only Being Offered NSOs, Not ISOs?
If you're an advisor or contractor and only offered NSOs, here's the legal reason — and what it means for the equity you were promised.
Someone trying to calculate exactly what's vested on a specific dateHow Does a Vesting Schedule Actually Work?
Trying to calculate what's vested on a specific date? Here's how a standard 4-year schedule with a 1-year cliff actually plays out, month by month.
What is a Tear Sheet
What a tear sheet means for your startup's cap table, why tear sheet definition matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
How Many Funding Rounds Before Ipo
What how many funding rounds before ipo means for your startup's cap table, why how many funding rounds before ipo guide matters, and how Lovie keeps.
An employee at the actual moment shares vestWhat Actually Happens the Day Your Stock Vests?
Your stock just vested — here's what actually happens next, and whether it's a taxable event, depending on whether you hold options or RSUs.
Founders designing vesting schedules for their teamDesigning Your Company's Vesting Schedule
Setting vesting terms for your team? Here's why most startups default to 4 years with a 1-year cliff, and when it makes sense to deviate.
Finance and HR ops teamsISO vs. NSO: What Finance and HR Ops Actually Have to File
Running payroll or the cap table? Here's exactly what ISO and NSO grants require you to file, withhold, and record — no tax theory, just the paperwork.
Employees who are leaving, or have just left, a companyYou Left the Company — How Long Do You Have to Exercise?
Just left your job? ISOs and NSOs have different exercise deadlines after you go. Here's the 90-day rule and what happens if you miss it.
What is an Equity Plan
What an equity plan means for your startup's cap table, why equity compensation plan matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
Post-money Valuation Cap
What post-money valuation cap means for your startup's cap table, why post-money valuation cap guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity.
Advisors and non-employee board membersHow Vesting Works for Advisors and Board Members
Advisor and board vesting doesn't follow the standard 4-year employee schedule. Here's how it typically differs, and what to negotiate for.
What is an Option Pool
What an option pool means for your startup's cap table, why what is an option pool guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
What is Rule 144 Date
What rule 144 date means for your startup's cap table, why what is rule 144 date guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
Where to Send 83(b) Election
What to send 83(b) election means for your startup's cap table, why where to send 83(b) election guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and.
Where to Send 83b Election
What to send 83b election means for your startup's cap table, why where to send 83b election matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in sync.
Rounds of Funding for Startups
What rounds of funding for startups means for your startup's cap table, why rounds of funding for startups guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation.
Employees facing an acquisition or terminationWhat Does "Accelerated Vesting" Mean for You?
Your company is being acquired, or you were let go — here's what 'accelerated vesting' means, and the single vs. double trigger difference.
How Do Shares Get Diluted
What shares get diluted means for your startup's cap table, why how do shares get diluted guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in.
Employees at a company going through an acquisition or IPOWhat Happens to Your ISOs vs. NSOs in an Acquisition or IPO?
Your company is being acquired or going public — here's what that means for your ISOs vs NSOs, and the AMT risk that catches people off guard.
Someone searching the raw term with no context yet409(a) Valuation: The Short Answer
409(a) valuation, in one paragraph: what it is, who needs one, and where to go next depending on whether you're asking about cost, timing, or process.
Strike Price vs. Fair Market Value
What strike price vs fair market value means for your startup's cap table, why strike price vs fair market value guide matters, and how Lovie keeps.
Pre vs. Post Money Safe
What pre vs post money safe means for your startup's cap table, why pre vs post money safe guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in.
What is a Post Money Safe
What a post money safe means for your startup's cap table, why what is a post money safe guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in.
Pre-money Safe vs. Post-money Safe
What pre-money safe vs post-money safe means for your startup's cap table, why pre-money safe vs post-money safe guide matters, and how Lovie keeps.
Pro Rata Rights Venture Capital
What pro rata rights venture capital means for your startup's cap table, why pro rata rights venture capital guide matters, and how Lovie keeps.
Grant Price vs. Strike Price
What grant price vs strike price means for your startup's cap table, why grant price vs strike price guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and.
Series C Funding to Ipo
What series c funding to ipo means for your startup's cap table, why series c funding to ipo guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in.
What is a Tear Sheet in Business
What a tear sheet in business means for your startup's cap table, why what is a tear sheet in business guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and.
How to Calculate Stock Based Compensation Expense
What how to calculate stock based compensation expense means for your startup's cap table, why how to calculate stock based compensation expense guide.
How to Calculate Number of Equity Shares
What how to calculate number of equity shares means for your startup's cap table, why how to calculate number of equity shares guide matters, and how.
What is Single Trigger Acceleration
What single trigger acceleration means for your startup's cap table, why what is single trigger acceleration guide matters, and how Lovie keeps.
How Many Series Before Ipo
What how many series before ipo means for your startup's cap table, why how many series before ipo guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and.
When to Exercise Iso Stock Options
What when to exercise iso stock options means for your startup's cap table, why when to exercise iso stock options matters, and how Lovie keeps.
Why Do Companies Issue Warrants
What why do companies issue warrants means for your startup's cap table, why why do companies issue warrants guide matters, and how Lovie keeps.
What Does Exercise an Option Mean
What what does exercise an option mean means for your startup's cap table, why what does exercise an option mean guide matters, and how Lovie keeps.
Sweat Equity Meaning in Business
What sweat equity meaning in business means for your startup's cap table, why sweat equity meaning in business guide matters, and how Lovie keeps.
What is an Equity Program
What an equity program means for your startup's cap table, why what is an equity program guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in.
Difference Between Options and Warrants
What difference between options and warrants means for your startup's cap table, why difference between options and warrants guide matters, and how.
Strike Price vs. Grant Price
What strike price vs grant price means for your startup's cap table, why strike price vs grant price guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and.
Founders hiring internationally or fully remoteHiring Internationally? Here's Why ISOs Aren't an Option
Hiring outside the U.S.? ISOs don't exist under most tax codes — here's why your international team can only get NSOs, and how to structure it.
Options Strike Price vs. Exercise Price
What options strike price vs exercise price means for your startup's cap table, why options strike price vs exercise price guide matters, and how Lovie.
How to Start a Startup
What how to start a startup means for your startup's cap table, why how to start a startup guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in.
Exercise Price vs. Strike Price
What exercise price vs strike price means for your startup's cap table, why exercise price vs strike price guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation.
Restricted Stock Units vs. Stock Options
What restricted stock units vs stock options means for your startup's cap table, why restricted stock units vs stock options matters, and how Lovie.
How to Setup a Company
What how to setup a company means for your startup's cap table, why how to setup a company guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in.
Founders setting a company-wide default policyShould Your Company's Default Equity Plan Use ISOs or NSOs?
This isn't a personal tax question — it's a company policy one. Here's how founders decide their default equity plan: ISO, NSO, or both.
Pre-money Valuation Cap
What pre-money valuation cap means for your startup's cap table, why pre-money valuation cap guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and equity in.
Fair Market Value vs. Strike Price
What fair market value vs strike price means for your startup's cap table, why fair market value vs strike price guide matters, and how Lovie keeps.
Equity Shares With Detachable Warrants
What equity shares with detachable warrants means for your startup's cap table, why equity shares with detachable warrants guide matters, and how Lovie.
Fmv Lower Than Strike Price
What fmv lower than strike price means for your startup's cap table, why fmv lower than strike price guide matters, and how Lovie keeps formation and.
Accountants and bookkeepersHow ISO and NSO Grants Hit Your Financial Statements
How do ISO and NSO grants hit your financial statements under ASC 718? Here's the expense-timing difference accountants need to book correctly.
Founders and early employees considering an early exerciseEarly Exercise: What Actually Differs Between ISO and NSO
Considering an early exercise? The 83(b) election deadline is identical for ISOs and NSOs, but AMT exposure isn't. Here's what actually differs.
Employees trying to estimate their actual personal tax billNSO vs. ISO: A Worked Example of the Actual Tax Bill
Same grant, two different tax bills — here's a worked numeric example showing exactly how NSO and ISO taxation differs, so you can run your own numbers.
Founders encountering the term for the first timeWhat is a Cap Table
What is a cap table explained for founders: the broad, canonical definition every other page here links back to, plus how Lovie keeps it connected.
Any business owner, not just a VC-backed startupWhat is a Cap Table in Business
What is a cap table in business explained for founders: cap tables outside the venture-funded context — LLCs, small businesses, family companies, plus.
Someone handed a cap table and needs to interpret itHow to Read a Cap Table
How to read a cap table explained for founders: a general literacy skill: what each column and row means, plus how Lovie keeps it connected.
A quick-answer search, not a deep diveWhat is a Cap Table
What is a cap table explained for founders: the shortest correct answer, with links to the deeper guides, plus how Lovie keeps it connected.
Someone asking about the ongoing discipline, not the documentWhat is Cap Table Management
What is cap table management explained for founders: management as a practice — updating, reconciling, reporting, plus how Lovie keeps it connected.
Someone using the formal term, possibly from a legal or finance documentWhat is a Capitalization Table
What is a capitalization table explained for founders: whether 'capitalization table' and 'cap table' are really the same thing, plus how Lovie keeps.
Founders modeling a future round before it happensWhat is a Pro Forma Cap Table
What is a pro forma cap table explained for founders: a forward-looking planning tool, not a record of what already happened, plus how Lovie keeps.
A finance student or professional placing the term in a broader disciplineWhat is a Cap Table in Finance
What is a cap table in finance explained for founders: where cap tables sit inside corporate finance generally, plus how Lovie keeps it connected.
Someone looking for THE single source of truth for their companyWhat is the Cap Table
What is the cap table explained for founders: the cap table as an official system of record, not a concept, plus how Lovie keeps it connected.
A visual learner who wants to see the columns and rowsWhat Does a Cap Table Look Like
What does a cap table look like explained for founders: a literal walkthrough of the layout, not just the theory, plus how Lovie keeps it connected.
A pre-seed, idea-stage founder — before any fundingWhat is Cap Table for a Startup
What is cap table for a startup explained for founders: why this matters starting Day 0, before you've raised a cent, plus how Lovie keeps it connected.
A one-line terminology lookupWhat Does Cap Table Mean
What does cap table mean explained for founders: the shortest possible definition of the term itself, plus how Lovie keeps it connected to formation.
Someone curious about the mechanics, not the paperworkHow Does a Cap Table Work
How does a cap table work explained for founders: how ownership percentages actually shift as rounds happen, plus how Lovie keeps it connected.
Someone who learns better from a worked exampleExample of a Cap Table
Example of a cap table explained for founders: a realistic, detailed numeric walkthrough for one company, plus how Lovie keeps it connected.
Someone asking who is allowed to see itWhat is Cap Table Access
What is cap table access explained for founders: permissions and visibility — employees vs. investors vs. the board, plus how Lovie keeps it connected.
Someone who wants a template to copy, stage by stageSample Cap Table for Startup
Sample cap table for startup explained for founders: sample structures at pre-seed, seed, and Series A specifically, plus how Lovie keeps it connected.
A founder who has already raised a first roundWhat is a Cap Table Startup
What is a cap table startup explained for founders: how the cap table changes the moment outside investors join it, plus how Lovie keeps it connected.
Someone ready to build one right now, step by stepHow to Create a Cap Table
How to create a cap table explained for founders: a practical, tool-based walkthrough from a blank page, plus how Lovie keeps it connected to formation.
Someone making the structural decisions, not just filling cellsHow to Build a Cap Table
How to build a cap table explained for founders: the design choices — equity split, option pool size — before the numbers go in, plus how Lovie keeps.
A one-line terminology lookup for the specific phrasePro Forma Cap Table Meaning
Pro forma cap table meaning explained for founders: just the definition of 'pro forma' in this context, plus how Lovie keeps it connected to formation.
Someone who wants a tool to build one, not a definitionPro-forma Cap Table
Pro-forma cap table explained for founders: a template-first, commercial-intent answer, plus how Lovie keeps it connected to formation and funding.
Someone whose cap table includes SAFEs or convertible notesCap Table With Convertible Notes
Cap table with convertible notes explained for founders: specifically how those instruments show up before and after they convert, plus how Lovie keeps.
A total beginner who wants the fastest possible pathHow to Make a Cap Table
How to make a cap table explained for founders: the quick, minimal-viable version — not the thorough one, plus how Lovie keeps it connected.
Someone auditing what fields belong on the documentWhat is Included in a Cap Table
What is included in a cap table explained for founders: an inventory of columns and data points, not the concept, plus how Lovie keeps it connected.
Someone doing a specific calculation right nowHow to Calculate Post Money Valuation From Cap Table
How to calculate post money valuation from cap table explained for founders: the math itself, worked through step by step, plus how Lovie keeps.
An investor evaluating a dealWhat is a Cap Table in Investing
What is a cap table in investing explained for founders: how the document is read during due diligence, from the check-writer's side, plus how Lovie.
Someone who wants a fill-in-the-blank templateWhat is a Cap Table Example
What is a cap table example explained for founders: a minimal, copyable structure rather than a narrated walkthrough, plus how Lovie keeps it connected.
An employee reading their own row for the first timeHow Do You Read a Cap Table
How do you read a cap table explained for founders: reading it for your own equity, not the company's overall structure, plus how Lovie keeps.
A venture fund thinking about its own portfolioWhat is a Cap Table Vc
What is a cap table vc explained for founders: the fund-level view across many companies, not one company's document, plus how Lovie keeps it connected.