How Many Shares Should Your Startup Authorize Upon Launch?
José Padilla is an attorney and the owner of Padilla Law PLLC, where he represents startups and investors. His practice focuses on the formation, seed and VC financings, private equity, acquisitions, strategic corporate transactions, and general advisory regarding corporate and financing strategy. New startups often launch with 10 million authorized shares. Founders often ask me, “Why 10 million shares?”Before answering how many shares of stock a new startup should issue, founders must first understand the difference between authorized, issued, and outstanding shares.
What is the difference between authorized, issued, and outstanding shares?
The number of authorized shares is the maximum number of shares that a corporation is legally allowed to issue to its investors and stockhol...