TLDR: Want the cheapest most effective method of resolving your securities law and investment issues? Go ask your securities lawyer, yes this is the smart move. You shouldn’t rely on any of the following ... which is here to demonstrate how even a summary is complex and inexact and how you really do need to hire your own attorney.
US Securities Laws are a dual system.
You must comply with:
Federal Laws (the "truth in securities" law, the Securities Act of 1933 among other laws. See and ), and State Laws, or “Blue Sky Laws” (See , See also .) How do you comply?
Generally you either:
“Duly register” under the SEC/federal by a registration statement to the Securities and Exchange Commission AND in the states in which the securities will be sold (generally by coordination for IPOs, filing/notification, or qualification) Find an exemption from registration under those laws (like those issued by exempt issuers or short term debt instruments with less than 270 days to maturity). take advantage of an exemptions transactions that changes the registration requirements for SEC/federal and State securities laws. At times exemption under federal law allows exemption under state law. For instance:
At times state law is preempted by federal law.
Your investors and you should be complying with the federal and state securities laws. Frequently this is done by using terms like “Accreditation” or but this is a shorthand term for much more complex issues.
Much like complex programming, this isn't something you should be doing yourself. Hire a competent attorney.
Technically, you have many many ways to avoid registration, however you can technically just register your securities on a Federal and State level. Why not do this? Registration tends to cost significantly more money than properly using an exemption or bening exempt, but less than poor or non-compliance. Improperly or not complying either on a Federal or State level is much more costly overall. Generally the long term costs from lowest to highest is:
Remember, this is part of building your company to be a solid product for investors, by not doing this it undercuts what you are selling current and future investors the soundness of their legal right to recoup and enforce the property rights in their investment. It's the difference between selling swampland in Florida and property in Disney World in terms of your valuation.
Typical Generalized Steps in Securities Issuance
Here is the simplified list for issuing securities:
Pre-Transaction “Minor Due Diligence” - Determine Best Source of Funds; Lead Investor Determine Type of Unregistered Offering and Nature of Exemption Draft Confidentiality Agreement Engage Underwriters or Placement Agents Draft Private Placement Agreement Draft Private Placement Memorandum / Offering Memorandum Confirm Blue Sky Exemptions, and “Burden of Proof” Package Draft Registration Rights Agreement (if Necessary) Draft Draft Subscription Agreement, Purchase Agreement or Note Purchase Agreement Draft Indenture and Promissory Note (Debt Only) Determine DTC Eligibility; Arrange for Note in Book Entry Form Federal Securities Exceptions
TLDR: Again you need to use an attorney. This is more complex than I have stated here.
Here is what is frequently used as exemptions; the following does not contain enough information to determine suitability.
:
“Bad Actor” Issuer Disqualified
General Solicitation Allowed
Need to Comply with State Securities (Blue Sky) Laws
State Registration, Broker Dealer / Investment Advisor Issues and Exemptions
TLDR: Again you need to use an attorney. This is more complex than I have stated here.
The following is merely the tip of the iceberg. Be wary of any startup attorney who isn’t concerned about the impact of state laws on securities
(Not Including 506(D) information)
Exemption for Offers of Securities Subject to 1933 Act Registration Statement?
Exemption for Isolated Non-Issuer Transactions?
Exemption for Non-Issuer Transactions in Outstanding Securities?
Exemption for Unsolicited Transactions?
Exemption for Limited Offerings/Private Placements? "
Exemption for Fiduciary Transactions?
Exemption for Transactions with Financial Institutions and Institutional Investors?
Exemption for Secured Transactions?
Exemption for Sales to Accredited Investors/Qualified Purchasers?
Exemption for Commercial Paper
Exemption for Transactions Between Issuer and Underwriter?
Exemption for Testing the Waters?
Exemption for Offers and Sales of Preorganization Certificates?
Exemption for Securities Listed on Exchanges?
Exemption for Transactions with Existing Securityholders?
Exemption for Stock Dividends?
Exemption for Conversions, Mergers, Reorganizations and Similar Transactions?
Exemption for Securities Issued in Connection with Employee Benefit Plans?
BROKER DEALER - Unethical Practices
INVESTMENT ADVISOR - Unethical Practices
Registration by Coordination
Registration by Description
Registration by Announcement
Registration by Notification
Registration by Qualification