What are share classes and why do they matter

Modified on Fri, 16 Jan at 11:59 AM

Share classes define how ownership in a company is organized by assigning different rights and privileges to groups of shareholders. These rights may vary across classes and can include differences in voting power, dividend entitlements, and priority in the event of liquidation.


Capital raising with ownership controlMultiple share classes allow companies to raise capital while retaining governance control. 
Supporting investor preferences Offering both common and preferred shares enables flexible ownership structures aligned with investor expectations. 
Employee incentivesShare classes help structure employee ownership while balancing voting and economic rights.
Strategic flexibilityAdjusting voting power and economic preferences supports long-term planning and exit strategies.

Protection against hostile control

Concentrated voting rights can help safeguard company autonomy.

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