Co-Founder Equity Splits: A Guide for Startup Founders | Operator to Founder

How should co-founders split equity?

We gathered insights from experienced founders who shared what they would have done differently if they could go back.

Should equity be split equally, or does it depend on factors like early risk-taking, leadership responsibility, and initial capital contributions? We explore various approaches, from equal splits fostering alignment to weighted allocations reflecting accountability and long-term commitment.

Key topics include:

✅ Why equal splits can work—but when they might not

✅ The impact of co-founder dilution versus investor dilution

✅ Why a founder vesting agreement is like a “prenup” for your startup

✅ The weight of leadership responsibility in equity allocation

✅ How to handle founder exits and cap table changes

If you're a founder, investor ...