What if you own 51% of a company?
Rachel Davis
Updated on January 13, 2026
Someone with 51 percent ownership of company assets is considered a majority owner. Any other partner in the business is considered a minority owner because he owns less than half of the business. The rights of a 49 percent shareholder include firing a majority partner through litigation.
What does a 51/49 partnership mean?
In the 51-49 partnership, one partner is the majority partner and one is the minority, even though on paper the partnership is all but equal.
Can a 51 shareholder be ousted?
Can a 51 shareholder be ousted? According to Lankford Law Firm, although it may be somewhat difficult, removing a majority shareholder is possible – for instance, if they have violated the original terms of the shareholders’ agreement of the company’s bylaws.
What happens if you own 50 of a company?
Owning more than 50% of a company’s stock normally gives you the right to elect a majority, or even all of a company’s (board of) directors. Once you have your directors in place, you can tell them who to hire and fire among managers.
What happens if you own 50 percent of a company?
Owning 50 percent or more of a company’s common stock gives you controlling interest in the company. In other words, controlling interest gives you the right to control company decision-making, but you still share ownership with other stock holders.
How do you determine ownership percentage?
Determine the amount of the total investment required to get the business started. Divide your own contribution by that total to estimate a fair percentage of ownership.
How does owning 51% of a company make you an owner?
So the majority shareholder can always choose who will or will not be on the Board. This is the primary way in which the majority shareholder can influence all the decisions of the company. Hence for practical purposes, any person owning more than 51% shares in a company is the de facto owner of that company.
Who is considered a majority owner of a company?
Do you really control your company with 51%?
Founders are often focused on maintaining at least 51% ownership of their companies. With 51%, they will be able to control the Company, and their destiny. At least that’s what they thought. In reality, the 51% control premium is often contracted away in the world of preferred stock venture financings.
What are the pros and cons of owning 51% of a company?
I would say give him the 51%, on the condition that he continues to mentor you and consult you not only about the decisions he makes but why he makes them the way he does. 51% gives you a controlling interest. You can swing any vote your way.