A cap table (capitalization table) is a foundational tool for any startup, especially those emerging from university research environments. This short session introduces participants to the core concepts behind cap tables, including how ownership is structured, how equity evolves as a company grows, and why early clarity prevents future conflict. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of how cap tables support decision-making, funding readiness, and long-term company health. 

Since many UAlbany researchers and inventors are entering commercialization for the first time, this session also explains why cap tables matter in academic spinouts, where multiple contributors, intellectual property, and university obligations can complicate ownership. Participants will learn the importance of designing a cap table that supports future investment, rewards contributors fairly, and aligns with the expectations of the innovation ecosystem. 

Attendee Takeaways Will Include: 

• How to divide equity 

• What “dead equity” means in academia 

• What investors look for in a cap table 

• Why an employee equity pool is important 

• Why to focus on the future, not the past 

• Why cap tables are required for UAlbany researchers/inventors 

Speaker: Brett Orzechowski, Assistant Director, Economic Development, Entrepreneurship, and Industry Partnerships, University at Albany