Startup Funding Espresso – Dilution by Startup Stage

Investor Connect Podcast · Sep 15, 2026 · 2m

Dilution by Startup Stage Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Dilution is a major issue for founders. Each stage of fundraising causes another reduction in the founder's ownership. Here are the levels of dilution at each startup stage based on current data: Seed round -- 20% Series A round -- 20% Series B round -- 17% Series C round -- 13% Series D -- 11% Series E -- 10% In the early days of the startup, the founder gives up 20 to 25% of the equity to investors. As the rounds continue, the amount of dilution…