1 in 4 VC-backed startups will have a founder leave by year 4.
So: will 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 cofounder leave?
Of course not! You two are in it until IPO.
But across VC-backed startups, founder departures are a regular feature of the landscape.
We looked at 13,133 founders that started companies between 2015 and 2024. We then plotted the cumulative percentage of them that had left their companies over time.
These companies had to have:
a) been started in the US b) raised at least some VC cash c) started with 2 founders in the team
You read the chart left to right—for example, in the 2017 cohort, 24.1% of founders were no longer with their startup by the 4 year mark.
𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀
Looks like founder departures in the first year have gotten a little more common lately
Definitely some impact from the VC downturn in 2022 and 2023. Startups founded in the years immediately preceding the boom/bust have left at slightly higher rates.
Typically founders have a 4-year vest on their shares. That means that about a quarter of founders will leave before their vest is complete (although it may be a higher if the vest didn't begin until the first VC round).
This data doesn't look at startups that have shutdown, so the later years are just a view into companies that are still ongoing.
If the right analogy to co-founding a company is marriage (and I think it works pretty well), then this data shows the value of a "founder prenup" aka vesting schedules. Everyone should have one!
#startups #founders #cofounders #venturecapital
More data on founders and the companies they build out every Thursday in our Carta Data Minute newsletter - subscribe at the link in graphic.
DISCLOSURE: This communication is on behalf of eShares, Inc. dba Carta, Inc. ("Carta"). This communication is for informational purposes only, and contains general information only. Carta is not, by means of this communication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice or services. This publication is not a substitute for such professional advice or services nor should it be used as a basis for any decision or action that may affect your business or interests. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your business or interests, you should consult a qualified professional advisor. This communication is not intended as a recommendation, offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Carta does not assume any liability for reliance on the information provided herein. © 2026 Carta. All rights reserved. Reproduction prohibited.
