Equal splits (51-49 median in 2024) correlate with better outcomes. Use 4-year vesting with 1-year cliff. Solo founders secure only 17% of VC funding despite being 35% of incorporations.
Equity splits should reflect expected future contributions, not just past work. Carta's 2025 data shows equal splits are rising sharply—45.9% of two-founder teams now split equally (up from 31.5% in 2015). The median split has tightened from 60-40 to 51-49. Y Combinator strongly advocates near-equal splits, noting that unequal distributions demotivate minority founders over the 7-10 year startup journey. Always use 4-year vesting with a 1-year cliff—this protects everyone and allows generosity while managing risk.
Key Cofounder Equity Split Takeaways
- 45.9% of 2-founder teams split equally (2024, up from 31.5% in 2015)
- Median split tightened from 60-40 to 51-49 (Carta 2024)
- Solo founders: 35% of incorporations but only 17% of VC-funded startups
- Use 4-year vesting with 1-year cliff (industry standard)
- Post-seed ownership: 56.2% → Series A: 36.1% → Series B: 23%
- Advisor equity: 0.1%-1.0% on 2-year vesting (2025 benchmark)
Cofounder equity split Facts
51-49
median 2-founder split 2024
Carta 2025
45.9%
teams with equal splits
Carta 2025
17%
solo founders get VC
Carta 2025
4 years
standard vesting period
YC/Industry