Equity Split Calculator
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Co-founder Equity Split Calculator
Find a fair equity split based on each co-founder’s contribution, risk, commitment, and role — with vesting schedule recommendations and Indian legal guidance.
Company setup
₹
2
co-founders
Equity split
Vesting schedule
4-year / 1-year cliff
Standard VC-backed model. 25% after year 1, rest monthly. Most common in India.
3-year / 1-year cliff
Faster vest — good for older founders or second-time founders with prior equity.
4-year / 6-month cliff
Shorter cliff for co-founders who've worked together before incorporation.
Milestone-based
Equity unlocks on MVP, revenue, funding milestones. Common for non-tech co-founders.
4-year vesting / 1-year cliff: You own shares on paper from Day 1 but “earn” them over time. If a co-founder leaves before Month 12, they get 0% of unvested shares. After Month 12, 25% vests immediately. Remaining 75% vests monthly over 36 months. The company can buy back unvested shares at par value (₹1–10/share).
Equity & legal guidance for Indian founders
Adjust contribution sliders to see your personalised equity split and analysis.
Indian co-founder equity tips
Never do 50/50 without a tiebreaker
Equal splits create board deadlock. Use 51/49, or appoint an independent director as tiebreaker. Indian Companies Act requires a majority for most resolutions.
Sign a co-founder agreement first
Before MCA incorporation, document equity, IP assignment, roles, non-compete, buyback triggers. Lawyers charge ₹15,000–50,000 for this — worth every rupee.
Credit pre-incorporation work
If you worked 6+ months before incorporating, negotiate early vesting credit. Many Indian founder agreements allow a “pre-vesting” period for pre-incorporation contributions.
Reserve 10–15% ESOP before Series A
Indian Series A investors will insist on an ESOP pool created pre-money, diluting founders. Create it proactively at seed with a formal ESOP policy under Companies Act 2013.
This calculator provides a framework for equity discussions — not legal advice. Equity splits have significant legal and tax implications under the Indian Companies Act 2013 and Income Tax Act. Always consult a CA and startup lawyer before finalising your cap table.
A free tool by StartupIndiaX.com — India’s startup knowledge portal
A free tool by StartupIndiaX.com — India’s startup knowledge portal
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(founders.length>2
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'';
grid.appendChild(card);
card.querySelectorAll('.factor-slider').forEach(function(sl){sliderFill(sl,c.bg);});
});
}
function onSlider(el){
var fi=parseInt(el.dataset.fi), fk=el.dataset.fk, v=parseInt(el.value);
founders[fi].s[fk]=v;
el.nextElementSibling.textContent=v;
sliderFill(el,col(fi).bg);
calc();
}
function onName(el){
founders[parseInt(el.dataset.fi)].name=el.value;
calc();
}
function addFounder(){
if(founders.length>=5)return;
founders.push({id:nextId++,name:'Co-founder '+founders.length,s:{idea:2,commit:4,domain:3,tech:3,capital:1,risk:3,network:2,ops:3}});
renderFounders(); calc();
}
function removeFounder(fi){
if(founders.length<=2)return;
founders.splice(fi,1);
renderFounders(); calc();
}
function selectVesting(el,key){
document.querySelectorAll('.vesting-opt').forEach(function(o){o.classList.remove('sel');});
el.classList.add('sel');
vestingKey=key;
document.getElementById('vesting-detail').innerHTML=VESTING_TEXT[key];
calc();
}
function renderDonut(sp){
var svg=document.getElementById('donut-svg');
var r=76, cx=95, cy=95, sw=28, circ=2*Math.PI*r;
var paths='';
var offset=0, gapFrac=0.008;
sp.forEach(function(pct,i){
var c=col(i);
var eff=Math.max(pct-gapFrac,0.001);
var dash=eff*circ, gap=circ-dash;
var off=-(offset*circ);
paths+='';
offset+=pct;
});
svg.innerHTML=paths;
document.getElementById('donut-num').textContent=founders.length;
}
function renderLegend(sp){
var esop=parseFloat(document.getElementById('inp-esop').value)||10;
var shares=parseFloat(document.getElementById('inp-shares').value)||1000000;
var valCr=parseFloat(document.getElementById('inp-val').value)||5;
var fp=(100-esop)/100;
var leg=document.getElementById('equity-legend');
leg.innerHTML=founders.map(function(f,i){
var c=col(i), eff=sp[i]*fp;
var sh=Math.round(shares*eff);
var rupL=(eff*valCr*100).toFixed(1);
return ''+
''+
''+esc(f.name||'Founder '+(i+1))+''+
'
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}).join('')+
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''+fmtPct(eff)+'
'+
''+fmtN(sh)+' shares · ₹'+rupL+' L
'+
''+
''+
'ESOP pool'+
''+
'
';
}
function renderRec(sp){
var esop=parseFloat(document.getElementById('inp-esop').value)||10;
var fp=(100-esop)/100;
var maxGap=0;
for(var i=0;i'+esop.toFixed(1)+'%
'+
''+fmtN(shares*esop/100)+' shares
'+item.lb+'
'+item.v+'