What does YC really think about splitting equity among cofounders?
Everyone has an opinion, but many say yes to 50/50 because YC recommends it.
...except maybe YC doesn't?
I resurfaced this debate with some Carta data late last month and the comments went back and forth for a long time on X. Then Garry Tan weighed in by saying,
"From a lot of experience with lots of founding teams: 50/50 deadlock cap tables are considered harmful"
Sheel Mohnot (awesome follow if you're not already) replied saying that many founders actually cite YC as the source of the pro-equal split sentiment. Garry then clarified that close to equal is preferable to exactly equal.
So that's settled then 😁
Unsurprised that many founders would fall back to what they believe YC believes, they have a ton of (well-earned) influence in early-stage founder world.
But in general my own opinion remains unchanged: splitting equally can work great. Splitting slightly unequally can work great. Splitting super unequally is not great.
Have the hard convos upfront and good luck to the founders kicking off companies Jan 1, 2026!
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