How much dilution is normal in a Series A?

Series A rounds typically dilute founders by 15–25%, depending on pre-money valuation, round size, and option pool expansion.

How do I calculate my ownership after multiple funding rounds?

Ownership after each round = previous ownership × (1 - dilution %). Example: 80% with 20% dilution = 64%. Three rounds of 20% leaves ~51%.

What is non-dilutive funding?

Non-dilutive funding is capital without equity exchange. Types include revenue-based financing, venture debt, grants, and SaaS financing.

Should I take VC funding or consider alternatives?

It depends on growth rate, margins, and goals. VC funding accelerates growth but dilutes ownership. Non-dilutive alternatives preserve control. Many founders combine both approaches.

How does revenue-based financing compare to equity rounds?

Revenue-based financing provides capital for a share of future revenue with no equity given up and no fixed payments. Equity rounds offer more capital but permanently reduce ownership.

Pricing & Valuation

Model how Series A, B, and C rounds affect your ownership stake. Compare equity dilution with non-dilutive funding options. Free calculator — no signup required.

Equity Dilution Calculator

See how funding rounds affect your ownership. Calculate equity dilution across Series A, B, C and compare with non-dilutive funding options.

Understanding Equity Dilution

Every equity funding round reduces your ownership stake. The Equity Dilution Calculator helps you model how seed, Series A, B, and C rounds compound over time. A founder who starts at 100% ownership might retain only 20–30% after three rounds of funding — and that is before accounting for employee option pools.

Modeling dilution before you enter term sheet negotiations gives you clarity on what you are giving up at each stage and whether the valuation justifies the trade-off. It also helps you evaluate whether non-dilutive capital could replace or reduce any of those rounds.

Dilutive vs. Non-Dilutive Funding

Not all capital requires giving up equity. Non-dilutive funding options include revenue-based financing, venture debt, SaaS financing, and government grants. These let you extend runway, fund growth, or bridge between rounds while retaining full ownership.

The right funding mix depends on your growth rate, gross margins, and how much control you want to maintain. Founderpath specializes in non-dilutive capital for B2B SaaS companies, providing funding based on your revenue and metrics rather than equity. Use the Equity Dilution Calculator to compare what a traditional equity round costs in ownership versus what you would retain with a non-dilutive alternative.

Making Informed Funding Decisions

Funding decisions are among the most consequential choices a founder makes — and they are not reversible. Before accepting a term sheet, understand three things:

Your dilution trajectory — use the Equity Dilution Calculator to model ownership across multiple rounds. Know what you will own after Series B before you close your Series A.

Your capital efficiency — check your burn rate and customer acquisition cost. Efficient companies have more funding options because they need less capital to hit the same milestones.

Your alternatives — equity is not the only option. Revenue-based financing and SaaS financing through platforms like Founderpath let you raise capital without giving up ownership, especially when your recurring revenue is strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Series A rounds typically dilute founders by 15–25%. The exact amount depends on pre-money valuation, round size, and option pool expansion. Use the Equity Dilution Calculator to model different scenarios before accepting a term sheet.

Your ownership after each round = previous ownership × (1 - dilution percentage). For example, if you own 80% and take 20% dilution, you retain 80% × 80% = 64%. This compounds across rounds — three rounds of 20% dilution leaves you with roughly 51%. The Equity Dilution Calculator handles the math across multiple rounds automatically.

Non-dilutive funding is capital that does not require giving up equity in your company. Common types include revenue-based financing, venture debt, government grants, and SaaS financing. It is a strong option for SaaS companies with recurring revenue that want to grow without reducing founder ownership. Founderpath provides non-dilutive funding for B2B SaaS companies based on revenue metrics.

It depends on your growth rate, margins, and goals. VC equity funding accelerates growth but dilutes ownership and adds board oversight. Non-dilutive alternatives preserve control and ownership but may provide less capital. Many successful SaaS founders take a hybrid approach: bootstrapping or using non-dilutive capital early, then raising equity strategically when they have stronger metrics and better negotiating leverage.

Revenue-based financing provides capital in exchange for a percentage of future revenue rather than equity. You repay as you earn, with no fixed monthly payments or dilution. Equity rounds provide larger amounts of capital but reduce your ownership permanently. For SaaS companies with strong recurring revenue, non-dilutive options through Founderpath can fund growth while you retain full ownership — use the dilution calculator to see the ownership difference.

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