Cap Table & Exit Strategy Planning
A Cap Table is a detailed document that outlines the equity ownership of a company. It includes who own what percentage of the business
- More Than 20 years of experience
- Team Comprises of Ex Bankers, CAs, CSs and Lawyers
- Fully Integrated Services
- Transparency in engagement
- Solution based approach
What is a Capitalization (Cap) Table?
A Cap Table is a detailed document that outlines the equity ownership of a company. It includes who own what percentage of the business, how much they’ve invested, what kind of shares they hold, and the value of their holdings. It’s a blueprint of the company’s financial & ownership structure and evolves with every investment or equity issuance.
Importance of Cap Table
Ownership Clarity:
It lays out the stake each founder, investor and employee holds and there is no ambiguity thereof.
Investor Confidence:
Investors often review your Cap Table before making funding decisions. When the Cap Table is well-maintained, it reflects transparency and professionalism.
Future Fundraising:
Each funding round dilutes ownership. When a Cap Table is in place, to visualize and plan becomes easy.
M&A or Exit Strategy
Buyers use the cap table to estimate how much equity they need to acquire to control the company. It also influences negotiation over price, structure, and post-deal integration. Further, the Cap Table allows simulation of exit events like IPOs, acquisitions, or secondary sales. [Scenarios like “waterfall analysis” (who gets paid in what order and how much) are based on the cap table].
Compliance and Legal Use:
A clean, accurate cap table indicates strong corporate governance.Red flags (e.g. unissued options, incorrect share counts, or missing vesting schedules) can delay or derail a deal.
Why Exit Strategy for ESOPs Matters
- Aligns expectations of employees and investors.
- Ensures smooth payouts or conversions at the time of exit (acquisition, IPO, etc.).
- Minimizes legal and tax complications for both the company and employees.
- Enhances employer brand value and trust.