Your result appears here.
Short answer
Many startups authorize 10,000,000 shares with a par value of $0.00001 and issue most of them to founders. At that par value, 8,000,000 founder shares cost $80 in total. In Delaware, filing with the assumed par value capital method usually keeps the yearly franchise tax near $400.
How this tool works
Founders buy their shares at par value. The rest stays unissued for future hires, advisers and investors. The Delaware estimate uses the same rules as our franchise tax calculator.
Related tools
Sources
Updated October 30, 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice.
Questions founders ask
Many shares at a tiny par value keep founder purchase prices low and make it easy to grant small option amounts later.
No. Keep 10% to 20% unissued for future team members and investors.
Make your business official.
Form your U.S. company. We keep it compliant every year.
Answer the questions for free. Pay only when you order.