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About
Pulley is a comprehensive equity management platform purpose-built for founders and finance leaders at growth-stage companies. Unlike competitors that try to serve founders, VCs, and law firms simultaneously, Pulley stays laser-focused on the people who actually run companies—resulting in a cleaner, more intuitive experience. At its core, Pulley provides cap table management for both equity and tokens, giving teams a real-time, accurate view of ownership and dilution at every stage. The platform covers 409A valuations, SAFE agreements, fundraise modeling, and exit scenario planning, allowing founders to walk into investor meetings with full clarity on dilution and round structure. For compliance-heavy workflows, Pulley automates reporting and audit trails to keep growing companies on the right side of regulations without requiring expensive legal support. Its managed services team is available for teams that want hands-on expert assistance. Pulley also extends into the crypto and Web3 space with dedicated token cap tables, token distribution workflows, and token valuations—a rare combination in the equity management category. Liquidity programs, built in partnership with Nasdaq Private Market, let founders and finance leaders design custom secondary liquidity events for employees and investors. With transparent pricing, a user-friendly UI that requires no paralegal to operate, and a strict no-data-monetization policy, Pulley positions itself as a trustworthy long-term partner. Trusted by over 8,000 companies from seed to scale, it is ideal for startups, growth-stage businesses, and any company managing equity complexity.
Key Features
- Equity & Token Cap Table Management: Maintain accurate, real-time cap tables for both traditional equity and crypto/token-based ownership structures in one unified platform.
- Fundraise Modeling & Scenario Planning: Model dilution, SAFE conversions, and exit scenarios before entering investor meetings, saving thousands in legal fees and avoiding costly mistakes.
- 409A Valuations: Get compliant, defensible 409A valuations directly through Pulley to support option grants and stay audit-ready without third-party delays.
- Compliance & Reporting Automation: Automate compliance workflows, audit trails, and stakeholder reporting so finance teams can move quickly without sacrificing accuracy.
- Liquidity Program Management: Design and execute custom secondary liquidity programs for employees and investors via an integration with Nasdaq Private Market.
Use Cases
- A seed-stage founder issuing stock options to early employees and needing a compliant, accurate cap table without hiring a paralegal.
- A Series B finance leader modeling multiple fundraising scenarios—including SAFEs and priced rounds—before entering term sheet negotiations.
- A crypto startup managing both token distributions and traditional equity ownership in a single unified platform.
- A CFO running a secondary liquidity program to provide early employees and investors with an exit opportunity ahead of an IPO.
- A startup switching from Carta looking for transparent pricing, better UI, and assurance that their equity data won't be monetized.
Pros
- Founder-First Focus: Pulley is built exclusively for founders and finance teams—not VCs or law firms—resulting in a simpler, more relevant product experience.
- Transparent, Predictable Pricing: No hidden fees or surprise invoices; Pulley publishes clear pricing so companies know exactly what they'll pay as they scale.
- Data Privacy Guarantee: Pulley explicitly does not monetize customer data, and users retain full access to their own equity data at all times.
- Crypto & Token Support: One of the few equity management platforms with native support for token cap tables, token distributions, and token valuations.
Cons
- Primarily Web-Based: Pulley lacks a dedicated mobile app, which can be limiting for founders who need on-the-go access to cap table data.
- Not Designed for Investors or Law Firms: Pulley's deliberate founder focus means it may not fully serve the workflow needs of VCs, angels, or outside counsel managing multiple portfolio companies.
- Paid Tier Required for Full Features: While a free trial is available, advanced compliance, modeling, and managed services features require a paid subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cap table and why do I need software to manage it?
A cap table (capitalization table) tracks all of a company's equity ownership, including shares, options, SAFEs, and convertible notes. As a company grows and raises rounds, the cap table becomes complex; dedicated software like Pulley ensures accuracy, compliance, and scenario modeling without manual errors.
Does Pulley support token and crypto equity?
Yes. Pulley offers dedicated token cap tables, token distribution workflows, and token valuations alongside its traditional equity features, making it suitable for Web3 and crypto-native companies.
How does Pulley compare to Carta?
Pulley positions itself as a founder-first alternative to Carta, offering simpler UI, transparent pricing, and a strict no-data-monetization policy. Pulley even offers a free trial with your existing data if you're switching from Carta.
What is a 409A valuation and does Pulley provide it?
A 409A valuation is an independent appraisal of a private company's common stock, required by the IRS before issuing stock options. Pulley provides 409A valuations directly through its platform, keeping the process fast and compliant.
Is Pulley suitable for early-stage startups?
Absolutely. Pulley is designed to scale with companies from seed stage all the way through growth, making it a practical choice for founders who want to start with solid equity hygiene from day one.
