Founder Equity: Building a Strong Foundation Before You Fundraise

Join Pillsbury and J.P. Morgan Startup Banking for an interactive lunch discussion focused on one of the most important decisions founders make: how to structure founder equity from the start. Whether you're launching a company with co-founders, building your first cap table, or preparing for future fundraising, getting equity right early can help prevent disputes, preserve flexibility, and create a stronger foundation for growth. During this candid conversation, we'll discuss: • Founder equity splits and common approaches • Vesting schedules and founder protection mechanisms • Building and managing an early-stage cap table • Equity considerations when adding employees and advisors • Common mistakes founders make—and how to avoid them • How today's decisions can impact future fundraising This session is designed for pre-seed and seed-stage founders and will be presented in a conversational panel format with plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion. Lunch will be provided. Hosted by Pillsbury and J.P. Morgan Startup Banking.