Option Pool Calculator
See how an investor's option-pool requirement changes your real price. The pool is created before the investment, so it comes out of existing holders.
Your numbers
RESULT
Effective pre-money
$6.84M
Value of new pool
$1.16M
- New pool (% of post-money)
- 11.6%
- Existing holders after round
- 65%
- …if the pool came after the round
- 67.6%
The pool shuffle effectively cuts your pre-money by 1.16M.
Raising money?
Fund Force runs an AI analysis of your market and matches you with investors, accelerators and grants that fit your stage and sector.
Get matched with Fund Force →The formula, in plain English
- New pool shares are added to the pre-money until pool = target % of post-money
- Effective pre-money = Stated pre-money − New pool value
Frequently asked questions
Why do investors want the pool in the pre-money?
So that the pool dilutes the existing holders, not the new investor. It is a standard ask, but the size is negotiable.
How do I negotiate the pool?
Bring a hiring plan that shows how many options you really need before the next round; a smaller, justified pool raises your effective pre-money.
Does unallocated pool count as dilution?
Yes — once reserved it counts in the fully-diluted share count used to price the round.
Results are estimates for planning and education — not financial, legal or tax advice.
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