The Answer

It depends. The number of authorized shares only matters if you plan on issuing stock options to employees, raising outside money from investors, or taking your company public. If you plan on any of these, you need to pay attention to the capital structure of your company from the beginning because if setup correctly, it can save you significant time, effort, and legal fees in the long run. If you do not plan on issuing stock options, raising money from investors, or taking the company public, you can pick any number you want (but pay attention to possible tax and filing fee consequences) and divvy them up between the co-founders accordingly. Otherwise, we recommend authorizing somewhere in the neighborhood of 10M shares, with 8M to 9M set aside for the founders and if necessary, the rest set aside for an option pool.

TEXAS BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS CODE

TITLE 3. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES

CHAPTER 101. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES

SUBCHAPTER J. DERIVATIVE PROCEEDINGS

Sec. 101.451. DEFINITIONS.

In this subchapter:

(1) “Derivative proceeding” means a civil suit in the right of a domestic limited liability company or, to the extent provided by Section 101.462, in the right of a foreign limited liability company.

(2) “Member” includes a person who beneficially owns a membership interest through a voting trust or a nominee on the person’s behalf.

TEXAS BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS CODE

TITLE 3. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES

CHAPTER 101. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES

SUBCHAPTER L. SUPPLEMENTAL WINDING UP AND TERMINATION PROVISIONS

Sec. 101.551. PERSONS ELIGIBLE TO WIND UP COMPANY.
After an event requiring the winding up of a limited liability company unless a revocation as provided by Section 11.151 or a cancellation as provided by Section 11.152 occurs, the winding up of the company must be carried out by:
(1) the company’s governing authority or one or more persons, including a governing person, designated by the governing authority, the members, or the governing documents;
(2) if the event requiring the winding up of the company is the termination of the continued membership of the last remaining member of the company, the legal representative or successor of the last remaining member or one or more persons designated by the legal representative or successor; or
(3) a person appointed by the court to carry out the winding up of the company under Section 11.054, 11.405, 11.409, or 11.410.

TEXAS BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS CODE

TITLE 3. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES

CHAPTER 101. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES

SUBCHAPTER K. SUPPLEMENTAL RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS

Sec. 101.501. SUPPLEMENTAL RECORDS REQUIRED FOR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES.

(a) In addition to the books and records required to be kept under Section 3.151, a limited liability company shall keep at its principal office in the United States, or make available to a person at its principal office in the United States not later than the fifth day after the date the person submits a written request to examine the books and records of the company under Section 3.152(a) or 101.502:

TEXAS BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS CODE

TITLE 3. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES

CHAPTER 101. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES

SUBCHAPTER I. MODIFICATION OF DUTIES; INDEMNIFICATION

Sec. 101.401. EXPANSION OR RESTRICTION OF DUTIES AND LIABILITIES.
The company agreement of a limited liability company may expand or restrict any duties, including fiduciary duties, and related liabilities that a member, manager, officer, or other person has to the company or to a member or manager of the company.