The annual Founder Ownership report: how much do founders own of their own companies across stages as capital accumulates and valuations rise?
Highlights
Solo founders are increasingly common: About 36% of startups founded on Carta in 2025 were led by solo founders, a jump from 31% in 2024.
Two-person founding teams are most likely to raise VC funding: Among startups that successfully raise venture funding, however, two-person founding teams are most common. Last year, 36% of startups that closed rounds on Carta had two founders, a rate that rises to 40% in the SaaS industry.
More founding teams are dividing equity equally: The rate of even equity splits rose to 27.3% last year for three-founder teams, up from 21% the previous year, and to 16.7% for four-founder teams, up from 10.8%.
Employee ownership surpasses founder ownership at Series C: At Series C, the median employee equity pool (16.8%) outstrips median founder ownership (16.1%).
Onwards!
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Cheers,
Peter Walker
Carta Insights
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.
