Differential Voting Rights (DVRs) shares provide shareholders with either higher or lower voting rights in comparison to ordinary shareholders of the company. When a shareholder has higher voting rights in a ratio of , it means they have 10 votes per share held.
The company/startup should pass an Ordinary Resolution for the issuance of DVRs in the General Meeting of the shareholders. The voting power of DVRs equity shares should not exceed 74% of the total voting powers. There should be no default in filing the annual returns by the startups for the past three financial years.
Disadvantages Of DVR Shares are as follows: Lower voting rights, reducing influence in company decisions. Potentially less liquid, making them harder to sell. May be viewed as less attractive to certain investors who value voting power.
The voting power in respect of shares (i.e., preference and equity) with differential rights of the company should not exceed seventy-four per cent of the total voting power, including voting power in respect of equity shares with differential rights issued at any time.
DVR shares offer higher dividends or additional fiscal advantages in exchange for reduced or no voting privileges. As an alternative financial instrument, they enable organisations to raise capital to finance their ongoing or new endeavours without watering down control.
Example of DVR Share Issuance 305/ share to raise funds. The main objective of the issuance was to raise enough funds to acquire Jaguar Land Rover. The said DVR extended 1/10th voting rights of the company's ordinary shares and offered 5% more dividends to the investors.
| 2 min read. The shares with Differential Voting Rights (DVRs) in a company means those shares that give the holder of the shares the differential rights related to voting, i.e. either more voting rights or less voting rights compared to the ordinary shareholders of the company.
Shares issued with differential rights shall not exceed 74% of the total voting power, including voting power in respect of equity shares with differential rights issued at any point of time.
A company may issue equity shares which carry rights only with respect to dividend and do not carry any voting rights. Superior voting right means any right that gives the shareholder more than one vote per share.