Back to Finance

Startup Valuation (Post-Money / Pre-Money) Calculator

Calculate post-money valuation and ownership percentages from pre-money valuation and investment.

Startup Valuation (Post-Money / Pre-Money) Calculator

Calculate post-money valuation and ownership percentages from pre-money valuation and new investment.

Input your round details

Formula

Post-Money Valuation = Pre-Money Valuation + Investment Amount

Investor Ownership % = Investment Amount / Post-Money Valuation

Founder Ownership % = 1 - Investor Ownership %

This calculator assumes no option pool changes and no convertible instruments; include those separately for full dilution modeling.

Steps

  • Enter pre-money valuation (company value before new investment).
  • Enter investment amount (new capital raised).
  • Review post-money valuation and ownership percentages.

Related calculators

Founder Dilution Calculator (by Funding Round)

Model founder dilution across rounds.

SAFE / Convertible Note Conversion Calculator

Model SAFE/note conversion to equity.

Equity Cap Table Generator

Build cap tables with ownership splits.

LBO (Leveraged Buyout) Return Calculator

Compute MOIC and IRR for LBOs.

The Complete Guide to Startup Valuation: Pre-Money, Post-Money, and Ownership

How to turn round size and valuation into clear ownership outcomes, dilution expectations, and negotiation guardrails.

Table of Contents: Jump to a Section

Definitions: Pre, Post, and Ownership

Pre-money is value before new cash; Post-money = Pre + Raise. Investor % = Raise / Post. Founder % = 1 - Investor % (before pool/convertibles).

Core Math and Quick Sense Checks

Post = Pre + Investment

Investor % = Investment / Post

Check: If investment is 20% of pre, post = 1.2× pre and investor ownership ~16.7%.

Dilution Ranges by Round

Typical ranges: Seed 10–25%, Series A 15–25%, Series B 10–20%. Outliers can be justified by large raises or strategic capital—ensure milestones warrant the dilution.

Option Pool Placement

Pre-money pools dilute founders and effectively reduce pre-money valuation. Negotiate whether the refresh is pre- or post-money, and model the true ownership impact.

SAFE/Note and Convertible Impact

SAFEs/notes convert at the priced round using caps/discounts, adding shares before calculating ownership. Include them—and any accrued interest—in a full cap table to avoid surprise dilution.

Validation and Negotiation Tips

  • Benchmark valuation to comps and stage-appropriate revenue multiples.
  • Size the round for 18–24 months runway and milestone delivery.
  • Check cumulative dilution across planned rounds; avoid over-diluting early.
  • Clarify who bears pool dilution and how convertibles slot in.

Execution Playbook

  1. Input pre and raise; compute post and investor %.
  2. Overlay pool (pre/post) and convertibles in a cap table.
  3. Run alternative raise sizes vs. dilution and runway.
  4. Benchmark to stage norms; adjust valuation/ask.
  5. Negotiate pool placement and convertible treatment explicitly.

Conclusion

Pre/post math is the backbone of fundraising. Model pools and convertibles, test dilution vs. runway, and negotiate with clarity on who bears which dilution.

FAQs

What is pre-money valuation?

Pre-money valuation is the value of the company immediately before receiving new investment. It excludes the new capital being raised.

What is post-money valuation?

Post-money valuation = Pre-money valuation + Investment amount. It reflects the company value immediately after the new capital is added.

How is investor ownership calculated?

Investor ownership % = Investment amount / Post-money valuation. This is the percentage of the company the new investor receives.

How is founder ownership affected?

Founder ownership after the round = 1 - Investor ownership (ignoring option pool changes). Raising new capital dilutes existing shareholders.

What is a typical dilution range?

Typical dilution per round: Seed 10-25%, Series A 15-25%, Series B 10-20%. Actual percentages vary by market and traction.

How do option pools affect ownership?

If an option pool is created/expanded pre-money, founders are diluted further. This calculator assumes no option pool changes; add pool dilution separately if needed.

How do convertible notes/SAFEs affect ownership?

Convertible instruments convert into equity at the round, increasing the fully diluted share count and diluting founders. Include these in a full cap table for accuracy.

How to validate valuations?

Compare to market comps, revenue multiples, growth rate, and round benchmarks. Ensure the raise amount aligns with runway and milestones.

Summary

This tool calculates post-money valuation and ownership percentages from pre-money valuation and investment amount.

Outputs include post-money valuation, investor and founder ownership, interpretation, recommendations, and an action plan.

Formula, steps, guide content, related tools, and FAQs ensure humans or AI assistants can interpret the methodology instantly.

Embed This Calculator

Add this calculator to your website or blog using the embed code below:

<div style="max-width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;"> <iframe src="https://mycalculating.com/category/finance/startup-valuation-post-money-pre-money-calculator?embed=true" width="100%" height="600" style="border:1px solid #ccc; border-radius:8px;" loading="lazy" title="Startup Valuation Post Money Pre Money Calculator Calculator by MyCalculating.com" ></iframe> <p style="text-align:center; font-size:12px; margin-top:4px;"> <a href="https://mycalculating.com/category/finance/startup-valuation-post-money-pre-money-calculator" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Use full version on <strong>MyCalculating.com</strong> </a> </p> </div>
Open in New Tab

Startup Valuation (Post-Money / Pre-Money) Calculator

Calculate post-money valuation and ownership percentages from pre-money valuation and investment.

How to use Startup Valuation (Post-Money / Pre-Money) Calculator

Step-by-step guide to using the Startup Valuation (Post-Money / Pre-Money) Calculator:

  1. Enter your values. Input the required values in the calculator form
  2. Calculate. The calculator will automatically compute and display your results
  3. Review results. Review the calculated results and any additional information provided

Frequently asked questions

How do I use the Startup Valuation (Post-Money / Pre-Money) Calculator?

Simply enter your values in the input fields and the calculator will automatically compute the results. The Startup Valuation (Post-Money / Pre-Money) Calculator is designed to be user-friendly and provide instant calculations.

Is the Startup Valuation (Post-Money / Pre-Money) Calculator free to use?

Yes, the Startup Valuation (Post-Money / Pre-Money) Calculator is completely free to use. No registration or payment is required.

Can I use this calculator on mobile devices?

Yes, the Startup Valuation (Post-Money / Pre-Money) Calculator is fully responsive and works perfectly on mobile phones, tablets, and desktop computers.

Are the results from Startup Valuation (Post-Money / Pre-Money) Calculator accurate?

Yes, our calculators use standard formulas and are regularly tested for accuracy. However, results should be used for informational purposes and not as a substitute for professional advice.