Introduced by Y Combinator in 2013, the Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) has become the go-to structure for pre-seed and seed-stage startups looking to raise capital fast and with minimal legal friction. But while SAFE notes are often considered founder-friendly, they're not without trade-offs.
A simple agreement for future equity (SAFE) is a financing contract that may be used by a startup company to raise capital in its seed financing rounds. The instrument is viewed by some as a more founder-friendly alternative to convertible notes.
An SAFT is an investment contract between investors who provide capital and developers who issue the s after specific conditions are met. An SAFE is a contract where investors provide capital in exchange for equity in a company at a future date.
A simple agreement for future equity (SAFE) is a financing contract that may be used by a startup company to raise capital in its seed financing rounds. The instrument is viewed by some as a more founder-friendly alternative to convertible notes.
A SAFE is an investment contract between a startup and an investor that gives the investor the right to receive equity of the company on certain triggering events, such as a: Future equity financing (known as a Next Equity Financing or Qualified Financing), usually led by an institutional venture capital (VC) fund.
For example, if a SAFE has a valuation cap of $10 million, and your startup's next financing round values the company at $15 million, the SAFE investor's equity will be calculated based on the $10 million cap, not the $15 million valuation.
The Discount Rate is calculated as 100% minus the percent discount the SAFE investors are entitled to. For example, if SAFE investors are entitled to a discount of 20% (they can buy Standard Preferred Stock 20% cheaper than subsequent investors), the Discount Rate is 80% = 100% - 20%.
They are accounted for as equity on the balance sheet. When the Simple Agreement for Future Equity converts to preferred stock, the accounting entries are that the SAFE entry is removed and the amount is credited to preferred equity (ignoring any APIC implications).
A Simple Agreement for Future s is a contract between a blockchain developer and a buyer, who contributes a certain amount of capital for the promise of an equal amount of s when the project meets specific goals. An SAFT is similar to an SAFE, which is for equity.