6 Tips for Writing a Term Sheet List the terms. Summarize the terms. Explain the dividends. Include liquidation preference. Include voting agreement and closing items. Read, edit and prepare for signatures.
What is it? A term sheet is a summary document containing the key terms of a contract. It provides an overview of the most important commercial and other terms of a transaction or relationship. It can be called Key Terms or Heads of Terms, or sometimes a Letter of Intent.
A term sheet may be prepared by either party – the investor or the founder. Usually, if a venture capital firm is investing, the VC offers a term sheet.
Viewed thus, the negotiation of a term sheet is a matter of adjustment of contractual rights and obligations on the various sides of a proposed investment transaction. The key players are obviously the investors, on the one hand, and the founder or the promoters, on the other.
Legal counsel is essential when creating or reviewing a term sheet to ensure that the terms are clear, fair, and protect your interests. An experienced attorney can help identify potential issues and provide valuable negotiation advice.
As mentioned earlier, a term sheet is a mostly non-binding document signed by the target company and the prospective buyer. However, it often also contains a few binding provisions, such as exclusivity, non-solicitation, and confidentiality clauses.
6 Tips for Writing a Term Sheet List the terms. Summarize the terms. Explain the dividends. Include liquidation preference. Include voting agreement and closing items. Read, edit and prepare for signatures.
The key clauses of a term sheet can be grouped into four categories; deal economics, investor rights and protection, governance management and control, and exits and liquidity.
CohnReznick's Beth Mullen looks at several important points in a deal term sheet. Credit delivery amount and timing. Guarantees. Reserves. Year 15 exit options. Implied costs for third-party reports.