How to use the SAFE modeling tool
If you're an early-stage founder raising a pre-seed or seed round, understanding how SAFEs and convertible notes impact your cap table is critical.
The SAFE modeling tool is designed specifically to help you evaluate:
How your ownership changes post-financing
How SAFEs convert for each investor
What terms are most favorable for your raise
🎥 Watch the video to learn how to quickly model new SAFE rounds and see how they affect your company’s ownership and capitalization structure.
Keep reading for step-by-step written instructions.
Access the modeling tool
Navigate to Raise funds → Modeling tools.
Under Model your SAFEs, click to Get started.
If you haven’t added your SAFEs or notes to Carta yet, click Add investment to begin.
To add a SAFE:
Click Add investment
Enter the Stakeholder name
Choose SAFE as the Investment Type
Select the Dilution type:
Pre-money or
Post-money
Enter the Investment amount
(Optional) Add a Valuation cap and/or Discount percentage
Click Add investment
Repeat these steps to add additional SAFEs
To add a convertible note:
Click Add investment
Enter the Stakeholder name
Select Convertible note as the Investment Type
Enter the Total investment amount with interest
(Optional) Add a Valuation cap and/or Discount percentage
Click Add investment
Repeat these steps to add additional notes
Once all investments are added, you’ll be able to model how they convert and impact your ownership and cap table.
How to adjust priced round terms
After entering your SAFEs and notes:
Scroll down to the Priced Round Terms section.
Carta will pre-populate values (like pre-money valuation and investment amount) based on industry benchmarks.
To add your own terms, click to enter them.
You can modify:
Total investment amount of the round
Pre-money valuation
Target post-money option pool %
How to use the Explore tab
Select a stakeholder from the dropdown to view how the modeled round impacts their:
Ownership %
Share value
Use the slider to explore ownership changes at different pre-money valuations.
Scroll down to view the Cap Table Overview with key metrics:
Post-money valuation
Price per share
SAFE/Note %
New investor %
How to use the Stakeholder breakdown tab
View a detailed list of all stakeholders and see how the modeled round affects each:
Post-money ownership %
Post-money value
Total number of shares held
How to use the Share Class breakdown tab
Analyze how the modeled round impacts each share class:
Post-money ownership %
Post-money value
Quantity of outstanding and available shares in each class
View impact on your equity plan (e.g., option pool)