How Startup Equity Works: SAFE Rounds, Dilution, and the Journey from Founding to IPO
By
iliabara
1mo ago· 4 min readenInsight
75/100
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Summary
This article explains how startup equity works through an interactive 9-stage journey, covering key concepts like SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) rounds, option pools, dilution, vesting, and exits from founding to IPO. It specifically details Stage 2, explaining that a SAFE is the most common way early-stage startups raise their first outside capital, where investor money converts later during the first priced round rather than immediately creating new shares or setting a share price.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledA SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) is the most common way early-stage startups raise their first outside capital.
Unlike a priced round, a SAFE does not immediately create new shares or set a share price.
The investor's money converts later when you do your first priced round.
Learn how startup equity really works — from founding to IPO. An interactive 9-stage journey through SAFEs, option pools, dilution, vesting, and exits.
