5 ms·

I have a bunch of options in my company, but I don't know what the total number outstanding are, so I have no idea what percentage of the company I own. 1) Is t

I have a bunch of options in my company, but I don't know what the total number outstanding are, so I have no idea what percentage of the company I own. 1) Is this a common scenario? 2) Is there a way I can find out what the total number outstanding are?

bethly 9y ago
If you ask the company should tell you what the "the total shares outstanding on a fully-diluted basis" is. If they don't tell you when you ask it's cause for concern; otherwise there isn't a way to tell what your compensation might be worth.
mandevil 9y ago
Send an email to the people who manage the options. Say that you are trying to figure out your finances, and would like to know how many options are outstanding. Note that there are complicated ways that that more options might appear, depending on the company (e.g. sometimes debt can convert to equity) that they might be a bit more hesitant to talk about, but they should be pretty open about the total number of shares currently outstanding.
- blakecaldwell 9y ago
  This. If you have a CFO, contact that person. If not, then anyone in finance, or a partner. Everyone is there for pay. This is a reasonable request.
pacificmint 9y ago
Not telling you the total number of shares is a little bit like saying I'm going to pay you 1000, but not telling you which currency it is in.
narak 9y ago
This type of smoke and mirrors bs is common in tech startups in my experience. The good news is even if the company is unwilling to disclose, Delaware law requires companies incorporated there (most tech startups, even in the Valley) to disclose key cap table numbers to share holders. You can exercise even 1 option to own a share and send the company a letter asking/demanding the info you seek. https://calcounselgroup.com/business-stockholder/ https://calcounselgroup.com/business-stockholder/ "As a Delaware corporation, all of the company’s stockholders (including minority stockholders) have the right to inspect and make copies of the company’s stock ledger and its books and records upon a written demand to the company. The stockholder’s inspection rights also apply to the company’s subsidiaries. Although Delaware corporate law does not specify the types of books and records that the stockholders may inspect, these rights extend, at a minimum, to the company’s financial records and corporate minute book."
johnrob 9y ago
Would knowing the fair market price be a proxy for percent ownership (assuming you know the current valuation of the company)?
sjg007 9y ago
Buy one share, ask to see the books.

bethly 9y ago

If you ask the company should tell you what the "the total shares outstanding on a fully-diluted basis" is. If they don't tell you when you ask it's cause for concern; otherwise there isn't a way to tell what your compensation might be worth.

mandevil 9y ago

Send an email to the people who manage the options. Say that you are trying to figure out your finances, and would like to know how many options are outstanding. Note that there are complicated ways that that more options might appear, depending on the company (e.g. sometimes debt can convert to equity) that they might be a bit more hesitant to talk about, but they should be pretty open about the total number of shares currently outstanding.

blakecaldwell 9y ago
This. If you have a CFO, contact that person. If not, then anyone in finance, or a partner. Everyone is there for pay. This is a reasonable request.

pacificmint 9y ago

Not telling you the total number of shares is a little bit like saying I'm going to pay you 1000, but not telling you which currency it is in.

narak 9y ago

This type of smoke and mirrors bs is common in tech startups in my experience. The good news is even if the company is unwilling to disclose, Delaware law requires companies incorporated there (most tech startups, even in the Valley) to disclose key cap table numbers to share holders. You can exercise even 1 option to own a share and send the company a letter asking/demanding the info you seek. https://calcounselgroup.com/business-stockholder/ https://calcounselgroup.com/business-stockholder/ "As a Delaware corporation, all of the company’s stockholders (including minority stockholders) have the right to inspect and make copies of the company’s stock ledger and its books and records upon a written demand to the company. The stockholder’s inspection rights also apply to the company’s subsidiaries. Although Delaware corporate law does not specify the types of books and records that the stockholders may inspect, these rights extend, at a minimum, to the company’s financial records and corporate minute book."

johnrob 9y ago

Would knowing the fair market price be a proxy for percent ownership (assuming you know the current valuation of the company)?

sjg007 9y ago

Buy one share, ask to see the books.