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Anti-dilution protection

Also called: anti-dilution, price protection

In one line

A right that protects investors from losing value if the company later raises money at a lower price, by giving them extra shares.

In plain English

If a down round happens, anti-dilution hands earlier preferred investors more shares to cushion the drop. That protection comes at the expense of common holders, who get diluted more.

If you were explaining it to a 5-year-old

A friend who bought in early has a rule: if prices fall, the club gives them extra toys to make up for it — using up toys that would have been everyone else's.

Why it matters when you sell

Anti-dilution shifts pain onto common shareholders in a down round, further reducing what your shares are worth.

Related terms

Put it to use

Dilution calculator

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Sources

A general market-practice term. See how we define and source the glossary in our methodology. General information, not advice.

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