Pre-Money vs Post-Money Valuation
The difference between pre-money and post-money valuation can change your dilution by 10+ percentage points. Use this calculator to see exactly how valuation affects ownership.
Pre-Money
$15.0M
Post-Money
$20.0M
Investor Ownership
25.0%
Founder Ownership
75.0%
Quick formula: If investor wants X% for $Y investment, your pre-money = ($Y / X%) - $Y. Example: 20% for $3M means pre-money = ($3M / 0.20) - $3M = $12M.
Same Raise, Different Valuations
$2M raise at $8M pre-money
$2M raise at $18M pre-money
Same $2M raise. The $18M pre-money valuation results in half the dilution.
Common Confusion Points
"The investor said $10M valuation"
Is that pre or post? If they mean $10M pre-money and they invest $2M, post-money is $12M and they own 16.7%. If they mean $10M post-money and invest $2M, they own 20%. Always clarify. A single word can represent 3+ percentage points of founder ownership.
Post-money SAFE caps vs priced round post-money
Post-money SAFE caps specify the post-money valuation at which the SAFE converts, guaranteeing the investor a specific ownership percentage. This is different from a priced round's post-money valuation, which is simply pre-money plus investment. Mixing these up leads to incorrect dilution calculations.
Option pool in the pre-money
When an investor quotes a $20M pre-money "including a 15% option pool," the effective pre-money for founders is $17M. The remaining $3M of value is allocated to unissued options. This is the option pool shuffle, and it means your headline valuation overstates your actual ownership position.
Negotiation Tips
Focus on Post-Money Ownership
Headline valuations are vanity metrics. What matters is the investor's ownership percentage after the round closes, including option pool dilution.
The Goldilocks Zone
High enough to limit dilution. Low enough to leave room for growth and avoid down-round risk. A 3-4x markup from your last round is typically healthy.
Beware Vanity Valuations
A high valuation feels good but creates expectations. If you cannot grow into it, the next round becomes a painful down round that triggers anti-dilution provisions.