A cap table (short for capitalization table) is a spreadsheet or database that shows the ownership structure of a company. It typically includes a list of the company's shareholders and their respective ownership stakes, as well as information on the company's equity, such as the number and type of shares outstanding and any options, warrants, or other securities that have been issued. Cap tables are used by companies to track their ownership structure and to make decisions about equity-related matters, such as issuing new shares or buying back shares from shareholders. They are also used by investors to understand the ownership dynamics of a company and to evaluate potential investment opportunities.
