So, you’ve got a brilliant startup idea, maybe even a co-founder or two, and now you’re staring at the daunting task of figuring out how to split equity. Who gets what? How do you keep employees incentivized? And what happens if someone leaves?

Welcome to Gildre’s Startup Equity 101—where we break down the essentials in a way that makes sense.

The transition from pre-seed to Series A is a pivotal phase that can determine a startup’s trajectory. A crucial yet often underestimated aspect of this journey is the cap table. More than just a record of ownership, a well-structured cap table tells the financial story of your company and plays a vital role in securing future investments.

If you’re a startup founder preparing to fundraise, you’ve probably heard the term “equity dilution” thrown around by investors, advisors, and fellow entrepreneurs. But what does it actually mean for you and the long-term success of your company? More importantly, how much equity should you realistically give away at each fundraising round?

Raising a pre-seed round is often the first major fundraising milestone for a startup. It’s a critical stage where you’re turning an idea into a viable business, convincing investors to back you before you have substantial traction. While daunting, many founders have successfully navigated this stage and shared key insights on how to approach it effectively.

The champagne bottles are empty. $2.5M just landed in your account. Now what?

While the path forward is less consumed by the immediate fundraising journey, you’re under more pressure than ever about driving results for your business and investors.

In this guide we’ll share what we’ve collected from some of the funded startups that either soar or stumble in these crucial first weeks.

Remember the golden days of 2021, when VCs were practically throwing term sheets at anything with "disruptive" in the pitch deck? Those days are gone, and honestly, good riddance. Startup funding reached $314 billion in 2024, a 3% increase from 2023. That's right - the money is there, just flowing differently. We're entering an era where smart money meets smart business, and that's where you come in.

A pitch deck can define your venture's success or failure. Avoid common mistakes and create a captivating, persuasive pitch with insights from angels, founders, and advisors in this Gildre article.

Startup fundraising is full of buzzwords and acronyms. Master essential terminology with this guide to confidently navigate capital options and engage effectively with investors.

The must-have startup tools and resources throughout your fundraising journey! From discovering product market fit, building a pitch deck, identifying investors, and more we’ve got you covered at Gildre.