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How Can I Calculate My Share Ownership Percentage?

2% graphic illustrating share ownership percentageI am writing this post about calculating one’s share ownership percentage because of an email exchange I had on behalf of a client.

We had formed a Delaware corporation with 10 million authorized shares. Of the authorized shares, 8 million had been issued to the founder.

The founder and an independent contractor had agreed on equity compensation for the contractor. The agreed-upon share ownership percentage was 2%.

The contractor thought that he should receive 200,000 shares (2% of 10 million). The rest of this post explains how and why the contractor was incorrect. (more…)