How much are my startup shares worth?

Private shares typically sell below the last-round headline price because you hold common rather than preferred shares, your stake is small, and the company is illiquid. The free estimator provides a realistic range based on your last round price, share count and what you hold.

Can I sell my startup shares before an exit?

Often yes through a secondary sale, which means selling shares you already own to a private buyer before an IPO or acquisition. Whether you can depends on your vesting, whether options are exercised, and any right of first refusal or board approval in your shareholder agreement.

What does it cost to exercise my options?

You pay the strike price for each share, and there can be a tax charge at exercise in the US on ISOs via the AMT. Free calculators estimate the exercise cost and tax implications so you can see the real number before committing.

How is selling startup shares taxed?

A gain is generally taxed as a capital gain, but the rate and rules vary by country. Country guides cover Germany, the UK, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland with current 2026 figures, though you should always confirm your position with a tax adviser.

Do I need the company's permission to sell?

Usually there are transfer restrictions set out in your shareholder agreement, including a right of first refusal and often board or company approval. These are not a dead end; you clear them with the company first, and guides explain how each restriction works.

Personal finance

PrivateTechShares

Understand what your startup equity is really worth — and what to do with it

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Free tools and guides to help you value your startup shares or options, understand exercise costs and taxes, and prepare to sell.

Overview

Screenshot of the PrivateTechShares homepage — A look at privatetechshares.com

PrivateTechShares provides education, tools and guides for people who hold private-company equity. The platform offers free estimators to value startup shares or options, calculators for exercise costs including tax implications, and plain-English country guides covering tax rules in the US and Europe. Users can access company guides for over 250 companies, assess transfer restrictions and rights of first refusal, understand dilution from new rounds, and prepare for sales. Paid toolkits include deal templates, working documents and step-by-step guidance; a report option provides personalized analysis of equity value, exercise costs, dilution and tax outcomes. The company emphasizes transparent, sourced information without investment, legal or tax advice.

Feature summary

Free share value estimator adjusted for common vs preferred, dilution and sale tax by country
Free exercise cost calculator including AMT tax implications
Over 250 US and 50+ European company guides with valuation data
Tax guides for 7 countries: Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands and Poland
Free RSU withholding and ESPP analysis tools for public company stock
Exit waterfall calculator showing proceeds after investor preferences
Equity Position Report with personalized dilution and tax analysis
Ready-to-send sale documents and Deal Room control panel
Free equity glossary and 2026 liquidity data

Pricing

Free tools including estimator and calculators with no sign-up required. Equity Starter Kit: free download. Equity Toolkit — US: $39 (one-off). Equity Toolkit — Europe: €39 (one-off). Equity Position Report: $129 (includes toolkit). Optional 24-hour human review: additional $249. RSU Prep Pack: $19.