Hawaii Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) is a legal document that outlines the terms and conditions for an investment agreement between a startup company and an investor in the state of Hawaii. It is a versatile instrument that allows businesses to raise capital without determining a specific valuation at the time of the investment. The SAFE is a popular financing option for early-stage startups, providing a simplified structure for fundraising. Instead of selling shares directly, companies offer the investor the right to receive equity in the future, typically upon the occurrence of a specific trigger event such as a subsequent financing round or an acquisition. This investment agreement serves as a contract between the company and the investor, delineating the terms of the future equity issuance. It includes details such as the conditions triggering the conversion of the investment into equity, the conversion ratio, investor rights, transfer restrictions, and any special rights or privileges granted to the investor. In Hawaii, there are different types of SAFE, each catering to specific investor requirements and business circumstances: 1. Traditional SAFE: This is the standard version of the agreement, where the investor invests a certain amount of capital in exchange for the right to acquire equity in the future. The conversion into equity is typically based on a predetermined valuation cap or a discount rate. 2. SAFE with Valuation Cap: This type of agreement ensures that the investor's equity conversion price will not exceed a specified valuation cap. This provides protection to investors, as it limits the dilution of their equity stake in case the startup's valuation skyrockets in subsequent funding rounds. 3. SAFE with Discount Rate: In this variant, the investor is offered a predetermined discount on the valuation of the startup in the next financing round. This ensures that early investors are rewarded for taking the early-stage risk by receiving a more favorable conversion price compared to later investors. 4. SAFE with Most Favored Nation (MFN) Provision: This type of agreement guarantees that if the company issues securities in the future at a lower price than what the investor initially received, the investor's conversion price will be adjusted to match the lower price. It ensures that the investor gets the most advantageous terms given to any subsequent investor. By utilizing an SAFE, startups can attract early-stage capital without the complexity of traditional financing methods like convertible notes or priced equity rounds. The flexibility of the SAFE allows startups to focus on growth while providing investors the potential for future equity appreciation.