Add a New Share Class
Add share classes to structure your company's equity, record type, terms, and rights and preferences so your cap table matches your legal documents. You must create a share class before you can issue shares in it.
Before you start
You'll need Admin access.
Have your company's legal documents (articles of incorporation or constitution) to hand, share class terms should match exactly.
Add a share class
Go to Cap Table → Share classes.
Click Add share class in the top right corner.
Complete the share class details (see field guide below).
Click Add share class to save.
Share class fields
Required for all classes:
Type: Common or Preferred, this determines which fields appear below
Share class name: Full legal name (e.g., "Series A Preferred", "Common Stock", "Ordinary Shares")
Symbol: Short code, up to 4 characters (e.g., CSA)
Optional for all classes:
Authorized shares: Total shares your company is permitted to issue for this class (US companies)
Price per share: Price at which shares were issued
Par / nominal value: The minimum price per share as stated in your articles of incorporation
Voting rights: Toggle on if this class carries voting rights
Dividend payouts: Toggle on if this class is entitled to dividends
Conversion ratio: Rate at which this class converts to common (Preferred only)
Rights and preferences (Preferred classes only)
Selecting Preferred reveals a Rights and Preferences section. These fields let you record the exact terms from your term sheet or legal documents. They are informational, they store and display your terms but are not used in Cake calculations.
Available fields include:
Liquidation preference type: Non-participating, Participating, or Capped participating
Liquidation preference amount (x): Multiplier (e.g., 1x, 2x)
Pro-rata rights: Toggle on if this class has pro-rata participation rights
Anti-dilution type: None, Broad-based weighted average, Narrow-based weighted average, Full ratchet
What happens next
The share class is available immediately when issuing shares or running cap table reports. Authorized share counts appear in your cap table overview (US companies).