The Right of First Refusal Clause in a Shareholders' Agreement is a legal provision that grants existing shareholders in a Missouri-based company the opportunity to purchase additional shares before they are offered to a third party. This clause ensures that current shareholders have the first opportunity to maintain or increase their ownership stake in the company. The primary objective of the Right of First Refusal (ROAR) clause is to protect shareholders' interests and maintain the existing shareholder base by preventing dilution or external control. It allows shareholders to safeguard their investment, maintain control over the company's decision-making process, and protect their financial and strategic interests. There are two main types of Right of First Refusal Clauses commonly used in Missouri Shareholders' Agreements: 1. Standard Right of First Refusal: This type of ROAR clause gives existing shareholders the right to purchase additional shares in the company before they are offered to external parties. When a shareholder intends to sell some or all of their shares, they must first offer these shares to the other existing shareholders. Each shareholder has the option to accept or decline the offer within a specified timeframe, typically outlined in the Shareholders' Agreement. If any shareholder declines the offer, the selling shareholder can proceed with selling the shares to a third party. 2. Super Right of First Refusal: The Super Right of First Refusal goes beyond the standard ROAR by granting existing shareholders the option to purchase shares not only when a shareholder decides to sell, but also in scenarios where the company plans to issue new shares. If the company intends to offer newly issued shares to external parties, the Super ROAR clause gives existing shareholders the right to acquire these shares first. This type of clause provides additional protection by allowing shareholders to prevent any dilution of their ownership percentage. Both types of ROAR clauses aim to maintain the existing shareholder base, strengthen shareholder control, and minimize the risk of unwanted third-party involvement or dilution of ownership interests in a Missouri-based company. It is crucial to carefully draft and include these clauses in a Shareholders' Agreement to ensure the rights and interests of all parties involved are adequately protected.