The following below is a sample Series Seed Investment Agreement for educational and learning purposes. For legal guidance related to Series Seed transactions or other venture capital needs, please contact us.
[COMPANY] SERIES SEED PREFERRED STOCK INVESTMENT AGREEMENT
This Series Seed Preferred Stock Investment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is dated as of the Agreement Date and is between the Company, the Purchasers and the Key Holders.
The parties agree as follows:
- DEFINITIONS. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Agreement or the Exhibits and Schedules to this Agreement have the meanings set forth in Exhibit A.
- INVESTMENT. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the Agreement Terms set forth in Exhibit B, (i) each Purchaser will purchase at the applicable Closing and the Company will sell and issue to such Purchaser at such Closing that number of shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock set forth opposite such Purchaser’s name on Schedule 1, at a price per share equal to the Purchase Price (subject to any applicable discounts where all or a portion of such Purchase Price is being paid by cancellation or conversion of indebtedness or other convertible securities of the Company issued primarily for capital raising purposes (e.g. simple agreement for future equity) to such Purchaser) and (ii) each Purchaser, the Company and each Key Holder agrees to be bound by the obligations set forth in this Agreement and to grant to the other parties to this Agreement the rights set forth in this Agreement.
- Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Exhibits and Schedules to this Agreement) together with the Restated Certificate constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and any other written or oral agreement relating to the subject matter hereof existing between the parties is expressly canceled.
EXHIBIT A
DEFINITIONS
- OVERVIEW DEFINITIONS.
“Agreement Date” means [Month] ___, 202__.
“Company” means [Company]
“Governing Law” means the laws of the state of [STATE].
“Dispute Resolution Jurisdiction” means the federal or state courts located in [STATE].
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, association or other entity.
“State of Incorporation” means [STATE].
“Stock Plan” means the [Company] Series Seed Employee Stock Option Plan.
- BOARD COMPOSITION DEFINITIONS.
“Board Designee” means any member of the Board designated pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement.
“Common Board Member Count” means two.
“Series Seed Board Member Count” means one.
“Common Control Holders” means the Key Holders.
- TERM SHEET DEFINITIONS.
“Major Purchaser Dollar Threshold” means $_______.
“Purchase Price” means $____per share (subject to any applicable discounts where all or a portion of such Purchase Price is being paid by cancellation or conversion of indebtedness or other convertible securities of the Company issued primarily for capital raising purposes (e.g., simple agreement for future equity) to such Purchaser).
“Total Series Seed Investment Amount” means $______.
“Unallocated Post-Money Option Pool Percent” means ____%.
“Purchaser Counsel Reimbursement Amount” means $___.
- RESULTING CAP TABLE DEFINITIONS.
“Common Shares Issued and Outstanding Pre-Money” means _________.
“Total Post-Money Shares Reserved for Option Pool” means __________.
“Number of Issued and Outstanding Options” means __.
“Unallocated Post-Money Option Pool Shares” means _________.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
SCHEDULE 1
Schedule of Purchasers & Key Holders
PURCHASERS:
Initial Closing: [Month] ___, 202_
Name, Address and E-Mail of Purchaser |
Series Seed Preferred Stock Shares Purchased | Indebtedness or Other Convertible Securities Cancellation or Conversion | Cash Payment | Total
Purchase |
KEY HOLDERS:
Name, Address and E-Mail of Key Holder | Shares of Common Stock Held |
EXHIBIT B
AGREEMENT TERMS
- PURCHASE AND SALE OF SERIES SEED PREFERRED STOCK.
- Sale and Issuance of Series Seed Preferred Stock.
- The Company will adopt and file the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in substantially the form of Exhibit C attached to this Agreement (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) (the “Restated Certificate”), with the Secretary of State of the State of Incorporation on or before the Initial Closing.
- Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each investor listed as a purchaser on Schedule 1 (each, a “Purchaser”) will purchase at the applicable Closing and the Company agrees to sell and issue to such Purchaser at such Closing that number of shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock of the Company (“Series Seed Preferred Stock”) set forth opposite such Purchaser’s name on Schedule 1, at a purchase price per share equal to the Purchase Price.
- Closing; Delivery.
- The initial purchase and sale of the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock hereunder will take place remotely via the exchange of documents and signatures on the Agreement Date or any subsequent date on which one or more Purchasers execute counterpart signature pages to this Agreement and deliver the aggregate Purchase Price to the Company (such date, the “Initial Closing”).
- At any time and from time to time during the 90-day period immediately following the Initial Closing, the Company may, at one or more additional closings (each an “Additional Closing” and together with the Initial Closing, each, a “Closing”), without obtaining the signature, consent or permission of any of the Purchasers in the Initial Closing or any prior Additional Closing (and without being subject to any right the Purchasers in the Initial Closing may have to participate in future issuances), offer and sell to investors (the “New Purchasers”), at a per share purchase price equal to the Purchase Price, up to that number of shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock that is equal to the quotient of (x) Total Series Seed Investment Amount divided by (y) the Purchase Price, rounded up to the next whole share (the “Total Shares Authorized for Sale”), less the number of shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock actually issued and sold by the Company at the Initial Closing and any prior Additional Closings. New Purchasers may include Persons who are already Purchasers under this Agreement. Each of the New Purchasers purchasing shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock at an Additional Closing will execute counterpart signature pages to this Agreement and each New Purchaser will, upon delivery by such New Purchaser and acceptance by the Company of such New Purchaser’s signature page and delivery of the aggregate Purchase Price by such New Purchaser to the Company, become a party to, and bound by, this Agreement to the same extent as if such New Purchaser had been a Purchaser at the Initial Closing. Each New Purchaser will be deemed to be a Purchaser for all purposes under this Agreement as of the date of the applicable Additional Closing.
- Promptly following each Closing, if required by the Company’s governing documents, the Company will deliver to each Purchaser participating in that Closing a certificate representing the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock being purchased by that Purchaser at that Closing against payment of the aggregate Purchase Price therefor by check payable to the Company, by wire transfer to a bank account designated by the Company, by cancellation or conversion of indebtedness or other convertible securities of the Company issued primarily for capital raising purposes (e.g., simple agreement for future equity) to such Purchaser or by any combination of such methods.
- Sale and Issuance of Series Seed Preferred Stock.
- REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. The Company represents and warrants to each Purchaser that, except as set forth on the Disclosure Schedule attached as Exhibit D to this Agreement (the “Disclosure Schedule”), if any, which exceptions are deemed to be part of the representations and warranties made in this Agreement, the following representations are true and complete as of the Agreement Date, except as otherwise indicated.
- Organization, Good Standing, Corporate Power and Qualification. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Incorporation and has all corporate power and corporate authority required (a) to carry on its business as presently conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted and (b) to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement. The Company is duly qualified to transact business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify or be in good standing would have a material adverse effect on the business, assets (including intangible assets), liabilities, financial condition, property, or results of operations of the Company.
- Capitalization.
- The authorized capital of the Company consists, immediately prior to the Initial Closing (unless otherwise noted), of the following:
- Common stock of the Company (“Common Stock”), of which (i) that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Common Shares Issued and Outstanding Pre-Money are issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Initial Closing, (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock that are issuable upon conversion of shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock have been reserved for issuance upon conversion of Series Seed Preferred Stock and (iii) the Total Post-Money Shares Reserved for Option Pool have been reserved for issuance pursuant to the Stock Plan, and of such Total Post-Money Shares Reserved for Option Pool, that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Number of Issued And Outstanding Options are currently subject to outstanding options and that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Unallocated Post-Money Option Pool Shares remain available for future issuance to officers, directors, employees and consultants pursuant to the Stock Plan. The ratio determined by dividing (x) the Unallocated Post-Money Option Pool Shares by (y) the Fully Diluted Share Number (as defined below) is equal to the Unallocated Post-Money Option Pool Percent. All of the outstanding shares of Common Stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and were issued in material compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws. The Stock Plan has been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and approved by the Company’s stockholders. The term “Fully Diluted Share Number” means that number of shares of the Company’s capital stock equal to the sum of (i) all shares of the Company’s capital stock (on an as-converted basis) issued and outstanding, assuming exercise or conversion of all options, warrants and other convertible securities and (ii) all shares of the Company’s capital stock reserved and available for future grant under any equity incentive or similar plan.
- The shares of preferred stock of the Company (“Preferred Stock”), all of which are designated as Series Seed Preferred Stock, none of which is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Initial Closing.
- There are no outstanding preemptive rights, options, warrants, conversion privileges or rights (including rights of first refusal or similar rights), orally or in writing, to purchase or acquire any securities from the Company including (other than warrants to acquire Company tokens, without determining whether such warrants or tokes are actually securities), without limitation, any shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, except for (a) the conversion privileges of Series Seed Preferred Stock pursuant to the terms of the Restated Certificate and (b) the securities and rights described in this Agreement.
- The authorized capital of the Company consists, immediately prior to the Initial Closing (unless otherwise noted), of the following:
- Subsidiaries. The Company does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any interest in any other corporation, partnership, trust, joint venture, limited liability company, association, or other business entity. The Company is not a participant in any joint venture, partnership or similar arrangement.
- Authorization. All corporate action has been taken, or will be taken before the applicable Closing, on the part of the Board and stockholders that is necessary for the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the performance by the Company of the obligations to be performed by the Company as of the Agreement Date. This Agreement, when executed and delivered by the Company, will constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms and conditions except (a) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, or other laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, or (b) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.
- Valid Issuance of Shares.
- The shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock, when issued, sold and delivered in accordance with the terms and conditions and for the consideration set forth in this Agreement, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of restrictions on transfer other than restrictions on transfer under this Agreement, applicable state and federal securities laws and liens or encumbrances created by or imposed by a Purchaser. Based in part on the accuracy of the representations of the Purchasers in Section 3 and subject to filings pursuant to Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and applicable state securities laws, the offer, sale and issuance of the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock to be issued pursuant to and in conformity with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the issuance of Common Stock, if any, to be issued upon conversion thereof for no additional consideration and pursuant to the Restated Certificate, will comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws. Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock has been duly reserved for issuance, and upon issuance in accordance with the terms of the Restated Certificate, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of restrictions on transfer other than restrictions on transfer under this Agreement, applicable federal and state securities laws and liens or encumbrances created by or imposed by a Purchaser. Based in part upon the representations of the Purchasers in Section 3, and subject to filings pursuant to Regulation D of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock will be issued in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws
- No “bad actor” disqualifying event described in Rule 506(d)(1)(i-viii) of the Securities Act (a “Disqualification Event”) is applicable to the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any Company Covered Person, except for a Disqualification Event as to which Rule 506(d)(2)(ii-iv) or (d)(3) of the Securities Act is applicable. “Company Covered Person” means, with respect to the Company as an “issuer” for purposes of Rule 506 of the Securities Act, any Person listed in the first paragraph of Rule 506(d)(1) of the Securities Act.
- Litigation. There is no action, suit, proceeding, arbitration, mediation, complaint, claim, charge or investigation before any court, arbitrator, mediator or governmental body pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, currently threatened in writing (a) against the Company or (b) against any consultant, officer, director or key employee of the Company arising out of such Person’s consulting, employment or Board relationship with the Company or that could otherwise materially impact the Company.
- Intellectual Property. The Company owns or possesses sufficient legal rights to all Intellectual Property (as defined below) that is necessary to the conduct of the Company’s business as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted (the “Company Intellectual Property”) without any violation or infringement (or in the case of third-party patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, or service mark applications, without any violation or infringement known to the Company) of the rights of others. No product or service marketed or sold (or proposed to be marketed or sold) by the Company violates or will violate any license or infringes or will infringe any rights to any patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, trade names, copyrights, trade secrets, licenses, domain names, mask works, information and proprietary rights and processes (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) of any other party, except that with respect to third-party patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, or service mark applications the foregoing representation is made to the Company’s knowledge only. Other than with respect to commercially available software products under standard end-user object code license agreements, there is no outstanding option, license, agreement, claim, encumbrance or shared ownership interest of any kind relating to the Company Intellectual Property, nor is the Company bound by or a party to any options, licenses or agreements of any kind with respect to the Intellectual Property of any other Person. The Company has not received any written communications alleging that the Company has violated or, by conducting its business, would violate any of the Intellectual Property of any other Person.
- Compliance with Other Instruments. The Company is not in violation or default (a) of any provisions of the Restated Certificate or the Company’s bylaws, (b) of any judgment, order, writ or decree of any court or governmental entity, (c) under any agreement, instrument, contract, lease, note, indenture, mortgage or purchase order to which it is a party that is required to be listed on the Disclosure Schedule, or (d) to its knowledge, of any provision of federal or state statute, rule or regulation materially applicable to the Company. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not result in any such violation or default, or constitute, with or without the passage of time or giving of notice, either (i) a default under any such judgment, order, writ, decree, agreement, instrument, contract, lease, note, indenture, mortgage or purchase order or (ii) an event that results in the creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any assets of the Company or the suspension, revocation, forfeiture, or nonrenewal of any material permit or license applicable to the Company.
- Title to Property and Assets. The Company owns its properties and assets free and clear of all mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, encumbrances and security interests except for statutory liens for the payment of current taxes that are not yet delinquent and liens, encumbrances and security interests which arise in the ordinary course of business and that do not affect material properties and assets of the Company. With respect to any property and assets it leases, the Company is in material compliance with each such lease.
- REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE PURCHASERS. Each Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Company, severally and not jointly, as follows.
- Authorization. The Purchaser has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement. This Agreement, when executed and delivered by the Purchaser, will constitute a valid and legally binding obligation of the Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with its terms and conditions, except (a) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or (b) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies.
- Purchase Entirely for Own Account. The Purchaser is acquiring the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock for investment for the Purchaser’s own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the resale or distribution of any part thereof. The Purchaser has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same. The Purchaser further represents that the Purchaser does not presently have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any Person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such Person or to any third Person, with respect to any of the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock. The Purchaser has not been formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock.
- Disclosure of Information. The Purchaser has had an opportunity to discuss the Company’s business, management, financial affairs and the terms and conditions of the offering of the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock with the Company’s management. Nothing in this Section 3, including the foregoing sentence, limits or modifies the representations and warranties of the Company in Section 2 or the right of the Purchasers to rely thereon.
- Restricted Securities. The Purchaser understands that the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act, by reason of a specific exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act that depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the accuracy of the Purchaser’s representations as expressed in this Agreement. The Purchaser understands that the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock are “restricted securities” under applicable United States federal and state securities laws and that, pursuant to these laws, the Purchaser must hold the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock indefinitely unless they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and qualified by state authorities or an exemption from such registration and qualification requirements is available. The Purchaser acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to register or qualify the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock, or Common Stock into which it may be converted, for resale. The Purchaser further acknowledges that if an exemption from registration or qualification is available, it may be conditioned on various requirements including, but not limited to, the time and manner of sale and the holding period for the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock, and on requirements relating to the Company that are outside of the Purchaser’s control, and that the Company is under no obligation and may not be able to satisfy.
- No Public Market. The Purchaser understands that no public market now exists for the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock. The Company has made no assurances that a public market will ever exist for the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock.
- Legends. The Purchaser understands that the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock and any securities issued in respect of or exchange for the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock, may bear any one or more of the following legends: (a) any legend set forth in, or required by, this Agreement; (b) any legend required by the securities laws of any state to the extent such laws are applicable to the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock represented by the certificate so legended; and (c) the following legend:
“THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION THEREOF. NO TRANSFER MAY BE EFFECTED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATED THERETO OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IN A FORM REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED.”
- Accredited and Sophisticated Purchaser. The Purchaser is an accredited investor as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D of the Securities Act. The Purchaser is an investor in securities of companies in the development stage. The Purchaser is able to fend for itself, can bear the economic risk of its investment, and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock. If other than an individual, the Purchaser also represents it has not been organized for the purpose of acquiring the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock.
- No General Solicitation. Neither the Purchaser nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, stockholders or partners has either directly or indirectly, including through a broker or finder (a) engaged in any general solicitation with respect to the offer and sale of the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock, or (b) published any advertisement in connection with the offer and sale of the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock.
- Exculpation among Purchasers. The Purchaser is not relying upon any Person, other than the Company and its officers and directors, in making its investment or decision to invest in the Company. The Purchaser agrees that neither any Purchaser nor the respective controlling Persons, officers, directors, partners, agents, or employees of any Purchaser be liable to any other Purchaser for any action heretofore taken or omitted to be taken by any of them in connection with the purchase of the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock.
- Residence. If the Purchaser is an individual, then the Purchaser resides in the state identified in the address of the Purchaser set forth on Schedule 1; if the Purchaser is other than an individual, then the office or offices of the Purchaser in which its principal place of business is identified in the address or addresses of the Purchaser set forth on Schedule 1. If the Purchaser is not a resident of the United States, the Purchaser will make such additional representations and warranties relating to such Purchaser’s status as a non-United States resident as may reasonably be requested by the Company and will execute and deliver such documents or agreements as may reasonably be requested by the Company relating thereto as a condition to the purchase and sale of any shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock by such Purchaser.
- No “Bad Actor” Designees. If the Purchaser has the right to designate or participate in the designation of a Board Designee, the Purchaser represents and warrants to the Company that, to the Purchaser’s knowledge, no Disqualification Event is applicable to the Purchaser’s initial designee named above except, if applicable, for a Disqualification Event as to which Rule 506(d)(2)(ii-iv) or (d)(3) of the Securities Act is applicable. Any Board Designee to whom any Disqualification Event is applicable, except for a Disqualification Event as to which Rule 506(d)(2)(ii-iv) or (d)(3) of the Securities Act is applicable, is hereinafter referred to as a “Disqualified Designee”. The Purchaser with the right to designate or participate in the designation of a Board Designee covenants and agrees (A) not to designate or participate in the designation of any Board Designee who, to the Purchaser’s knowledge, is a Disqualified Designee and (B) that in the event the Purchaser becomes aware that any individual previously designated by the Purchaser is or has become a Disqualified Designee, the Purchaser will as promptly as practicable take such actions as are necessary to remove such Disqualified Designee from the Board and designate a replacement Board Designee who is not a Disqualified Designee.
- COVENANTS.
- Information Rights.
- Basic Financial Information. The Company will furnish to each Purchaser holding that number of shares equal to or in excess of the quotient determined by dividing (x) the Major Purchaser Dollar Threshold by (y) the Purchase Price, rounded up to the next whole share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, combinations, recapitalizations or the like) (a “Major Purchaser”), when available (1) annual unaudited financial statements for each fiscal year of the Company, including an unaudited balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal year, an unaudited income statement and an unaudited statement of cash flows, all prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and practices, within forty-five days following year-end; (2) quarterly unaudited financial statements for each fiscal quarter of the Company (except the last quarter of the Company’s fiscal year), including an unaudited balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal quarter, an unaudited income statement, and an unaudited statement of cash flows, all prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and practices, subject to changes resulting from normal year-end audit adjustments, within thirty days following quarter-end; and (3) monthly unaudited financial statements within thirty days of month-end. If the Company has audited records of any of the foregoing, it will provide those in lieu of the unaudited versions.
- Confidentiality. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, no Purchaser by reason of this Agreement will have access to any trade secrets or confidential information of the Company. The Company will not be required to comply with any information rights of any Purchaser whom the Company reasonably determines to be a competitor or an officer, employee, director or holder of 10% or more of a competitor. Each Purchaser will keep confidential and will not disclose, divulge or use for any purpose (other than to monitor its investment in the Company) any confidential information obtained from the Company pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement other than to any of the Purchaser’s attorneys, accountants, consultants and other professionals, to the extent necessary to obtain their services in connection with monitoring the Purchaser’s investment in the Company.
- Inspection Rights. The Company will permit each Major Purchaser to visit and inspect the Company’s properties, to examine its books of account and records and to discuss the Company’s affairs, finances and accounts with its officers, all at such reasonable times as may be requested by such Major Purchaser.
- Additional Rights and Obligations. If the Company issues securities in its next equity financing after the date hereof (the “Next Financing”) that (a) have rights, preferences or privileges that are more favorable than the terms of the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock, such as price‑based anti-dilution protection, or (b) provide all such future investors other contractual terms such as registration rights, the Company will provide substantially equivalent rights to the Purchasers with respect to the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock (with appropriate adjustment for economic terms or other contractual rights), subject to such Purchaser’s execution of any documents, including, if applicable, investor rights, co-sale, voting, and other agreements, executed by the investors purchasing securities in the Next Financing (such documents, the “Next Financing Documents”). Any Major Purchaser will remain a Major Purchaser for all purposes in the Next Financing Documents to the extent such concept exists. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, subject to the provisions of Section 11, upon the execution and delivery of the Next Financing Documents by Purchasers holding a majority of the then‑outstanding shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock held by all Purchasers, this Agreement (excluding any then-existing and outstanding obligations) will be amended and restated by and into such Next Financing Documents and will be terminated and of no further force or effect.
- Information Rights.
- RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER; DRAG ALONG.
- Limitations on Disposition. Each Person owning of record shares of Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to the conversion of the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock and any shares of Common Stock issued as a dividend or other distribution with respect thereto or in exchange therefor or in replacement thereof (collectively, the “Securities”) or any assignee of record of Securities (each such Person, a “Holder”) will not make any disposition of all or any portion of any Securities unless:
(a) there is then in effect a registration statement under the Securities Act, covering such proposed disposition and such disposition is made in accordance with such registration statement; or
(b) such Holder has notified the Company of the proposed disposition and has furnished the Company with a statement of the circumstances surrounding the proposed disposition, and, at the expense of such Holder or its transferee, with an opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that such disposition will not require registration of such securities under the Securities Act.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5.1(a) and Section 5.1(b), no such registration statement or opinion of counsel will be required: (i) for any transfer of any Securities in compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Rule 144 or Rule 144A, or (ii) for any transfer of any Securities by a Holder that is a partnership, limited liability company, corporation or venture capital fund to (A) a partner of such partnership, member of such limited liability company or stockholder of such corporation, (B) an affiliate of such partnership, limited liability company or corporation (including, any affiliated investment fund of such Holder), (C) a retired partner of such partnership or a retired member of such limited liability company, or (D) the estate of any such partner, member, or stockholder, or (iii) for the transfer without additional consideration or at no greater than cost by gift, will, or intestate succession by any Holder to the Holder’s spouse or lineal descendants or ancestors or any trust for any of the foregoing; provided that, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), the transferee agrees in writing to be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if the transferee were an original Purchaser under this Agreement.
- “Market Stand-Off” Agreement. To the extent requested by the Company or an underwriter of securities of the Company, each Holder and Key Holder, and any transferee thereof (each, a “Stockholder”), will not, without the prior written consent of the managing underwriters in the IPO (as defined below), offer, sell, make any short sale of, grant or sell any option for the purchase of, lend, pledge, otherwise transfer or dispose of (directly or indirectly), enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership (whether any such transaction is described above or is to be settled by delivery of Securities or other securities, in cash, or otherwise), any Securities or other shares of stock of the Company then owned by such Stockholder, or enter into an agreement to do any of the foregoing, for up to 180 days following the effective date of the registration statement of the initial public offering of the Company (the “IPO”) filed under the Securities Act. For purposes of this Section 2, “Company” includes any wholly owned subsidiary of the Company into which the Company merges or consolidates. The Company may place restrictive legends on the certificates representing the shares subject to this Section 5.2 and may impose stop transfer instructions with respect to the Securities and such other shares of stock of each Stockholder (and the shares or securities of every other Person subject to the foregoing restriction) until the end of such period. Each Stockholder will enter into any agreement reasonably required by the underwriters to the IPO to implement the foregoing within any reasonable timeframe so requested. The underwriters for any IPO are intended third-party beneficiaries of this Section 5.2 and will have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions of this Section 5.2 as though they were parties hereto.
- Drag Along Right. If a Deemed Liquidation Event (as defined in the Restated Certificate) is approved by each of (i) the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock then‑outstanding (other than those issued or issuable upon conversion of the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock), (ii) the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock then issued or issuable upon conversion of the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock then‑outstanding and (iii) the Board, then each Stockholder will vote (in person, by proxy or by action by written consent, as applicable) all shares of capital stock of the Company now or hereafter directly or indirectly owned of record or beneficially by such Stockholder (collectively, the “Shares”) in favor of, and adopt, such Deemed Liquidation Event and to execute and deliver all related documentation and take such other action in support of the Deemed Liquidation Event as may reasonably be requested by the Company to carry out the terms and provision of this Section 3, including executing and delivering instruments of conveyance and transfer, and any purchase agreement, merger agreement, indemnity agreement, escrow agreement, consent, waiver, governmental filing, share certificates duly endorsed for transfer (free and clear of impermissible liens, claims and encumbrances) and any similar or related documents. The obligation of any party to take the actions required by this Section 5.3 will not apply to a Deemed Liquidation Event if the other party involved in such Deemed Liquidation Event is an affiliate or stockholder of the Company holding more than 10% of the voting power of the Company.
- Exceptions to Drag Along Right. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Stockholder need not comply with Section 3 in connection with any proposed sale of the Company (the “Proposed Sale”) unless:
(a) any representations and warranties to be made by the Stockholder in connection with the Proposed Sale are limited to representations and warranties related to authority, ownership and the ability to convey title to such Shares, including representations and warranties that (i) the Stockholder holds all right, title and interest in and to the Shares the Stockholder purports to hold, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, (ii) the obligations of the Stockholder in connection with the transaction have been duly authorized, if applicable, (iii) the documents to be entered into by the Stockholder have been duly executed by the Stockholder and delivered to the acquirer and are enforceable against the Stockholder in accordance with their respective terms and, (iv) neither the execution and delivery of documents to be entered into in connection with the transaction, nor the performance of the Stockholder’s obligations thereunder, will cause a breach or violation of the terms of any agreement, law, or judgment, order, or decree of any court or governmental agency;
(b) the Stockholder will not be liable for the inaccuracy of any representation or warranty made by any other Person in connection with the Proposed Sale, other than the Company (except to the extent that funds may be paid out of an escrow established to cover breach of representations, warranties, and covenants of the Company as well as breach by any stockholder of any identical representations, warranties and covenants provided by all stockholders);
(c) the liability for indemnification, if any, of the Stockholder in the Proposed Sale and for the inaccuracy of any representations and warranties made by the Company or its stockholders in connection with such Proposed Sale, is several and not joint with any other Person (except to the extent that funds may be paid out of an escrow established to cover breach of representations, warranties and covenants of the Company as well as breach by any stockholder of any identical representations, warranties, and covenants provided by all stockholders), and except as required to satisfy the liquidation preference of Series Seed Preferred Stock, if any, is pro rata in proportion to, and does not exceed, the amount of consideration paid to such Stockholder in connection with such Proposed Sale;
(d) liability will be limited to the Stockholder’s applicable share (determined based on the respective proceeds payable to each Stockholder in connection with the Proposed Sale in accordance with the provisions of the Restated Certificate) of a negotiated aggregate indemnification amount that applies equally to all Stockholders but that in no event exceeds the amount of consideration otherwise payable to the Stockholder in connection with the Proposed Sale, except with respect to claims related to fraud by the Stockholder, the liability for which need not be limited as to the Stockholder;
(e) upon the consummation of the Proposed Sale, (i) each holder of each class or series of the Company’s stock will receive the same form of consideration for such holder’s shares of such class or series as is received by other holders in respect of their shares of such same class or series of stock unless the holders of a majority of the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock then outstanding elect otherwise, (ii) each holder of a series of Series Seed Preferred Stock will receive the same amount of consideration per share of such series of Series Seed Preferred Stock as is received by other holders in respect of their shares of such same series, (iii) each holder of Common Stock will receive the same amount of consideration per share of Common Stock as is received by other holders in respect of their shares of Common Stock, and (iv) unless the holders of a majority of the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock then outstanding elect to receive a lesser amount, the aggregate consideration receivable by all holders of Preferred Stock and Common Stock will be allocated among the holders of Preferred Stock and Common Stock on the basis of the relative liquidation preferences to which the holders of each respective series of Preferred Stock and the holders of Common Stock are entitled in a Deemed Liquidation Event (assuming for this purpose that the Proposed Sale is a Deemed Liquidation Event) in accordance with the Restated Certificate in effect immediately prior to the Proposed Sale.
- Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Right.
- Each Key Holder hereby unconditionally and irrevocably grants to the Company a right of first refusal to purchase all or any portion of Common Stock that such Key Holder may propose to transfer. If the Company does not exercise its right of first refusal, each Major Purchaser will have a right of first refusal (on a pro rata basis based on the total shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock such Major Purchaser holds) with respect to the proposed transfer. Rights to purchase any unsubscribed shares will be reallocated pro rata among the other Major Purchasers. The foregoing rights of first refusal will be subject to customary exceptions and will terminate immediately prior to the Company’s initial public offering.
- If any Common Stock subject to the right of first refusal is not purchased pursuant to Section 5.5.1 above and thereafter is to be sold, each Major Purchaser may elect to participate on a pro rata basis in the proposed Key Holder transfer that is subject to the right of first refusal. The foregoing rights to participate in the proposed transfer will be reallocated to the extent unexercised, and the foregoing co-sale rights will be subject to customary exceptions and will terminate immediately prior to the Company’s initial public offering.
- PARTICIPATION RIGHT.
- General. Each Major Purchaser has the right of first refusal to purchase the Major Purchaser’s Pro Rata Share of any New Securities (each as defined below) that the Company may from time to time issue after the Agreement Date; provided, however, the Major Purchaser will have no right to purchase any such New Securities if the Major Purchaser cannot demonstrate to the Company’s reasonable satisfaction that such Major Purchaser is at the time of the proposed issuance of such New Securities an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Regulation D of the Securities Act. A Major Purchaser’s “Pro Rata Share” means the ratio of (a) the number of shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion of the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock owned by such Major Purchaser, to (b) the Fully Diluted Share Number.
- New Securities. “New Securities” means any Common Stock or Preferred Stock, whether now authorized or not, and rights, options or warrants to purchase Common Stock or Preferred Stock, and securities of any type whatsoever that are, or may become, convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock or Preferred Stock; provided, however, that “New Securities” does not include: (a) shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion of any outstanding shares of Preferred Stock; (b) shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of any options, warrants, or rights to purchase any securities of the Company outstanding as of the Agreement Date and any securities issuable upon the conversion thereof; (c) shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock issued in connection with any stock split, stock dividend or recapitalization; (d) shares of Common Stock (or options, warrants or rights therefor) granted or issued after the Agreement Date to employees, officers, directors, contractors, consultants or advisers to, the Company or any subsidiary of the Company pursuant to incentive agreements, stock purchase or stock option plans, stock bonuses or awards, warrants, contracts or other arrangements that are approved by the Board; (e) shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock issued pursuant to this Agreement; (f) any other shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock (and/or options or warrants therefor) issued or issuable primarily for other than equity financing purposes and approved by the Board; and (g) shares of Common Stock issued or issuable by the Company to the public pursuant to a registration statement filed under the Securities Act.
- Procedures. If the Company proposes to undertake an issuance of New Securities, it will give notice to each Major Purchaser of its intention to issue New Securities (the “Notice”), describing the type of New Securities and the price and the general terms upon which the Company proposes to issue the New Securities. Each Major Purchaser will have 10 days from the date of the Notice, to agree in writing to purchase such Major Purchaser’s Pro Rata Share of such New Securities for the price and upon the general terms specified in the Notice by giving written notice to the Company and stating therein the quantity of New Securities to be purchased (not to exceed such Major Purchaser’s Pro Rata Share).
- Failure to Exercise. If the Major Purchasers fail to exercise in full the right of first refusal within the 10‑day period, then the Company will have 120 days thereafter to sell the New Securities with respect to which the Major Purchasers’ rights of first refusal hereunder were not exercised, at a price and upon general terms not materially more favorable to the purchasers thereof than specified in the Notice to the Major Purchasers. If the Company has not issued and sold the New Securities within the 120‑day period, then the Company will not thereafter issue or sell any New Securities without again first offering those New Securities to the Major Purchasers pursuant to this Section 5.
- ELECTION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
- Voting; Board Composition. Subject to the rights of the stockholders to remove a director for cause in accordance with applicable law, during the term of this Agreement, each Stockholder will vote (or consent pursuant to an action by written consent of the stockholders) all shares of capital stock of the Company now or hereafter directly or indirectly owned of record or beneficially by the Stockholder (the “Voting Shares”), or cause the Voting Shares to be voted, in such manner as may be necessary to elect (and maintain in office) as the members of the Board:
- that number of individuals equal to the Common Board Member Count designated from time to time in a writing delivered to the Company and signed by Common Control Holders who then hold a majority of the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock held by all Common Control Holders; and
- that number of individuals equal to the Series Seed Board Member Count designated from time to time in a writing delivered to the Company and signed by Purchasers who then hold a majority of the then‑outstanding shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock issued pursuant to this Agreement;
- Voting; Board Composition. Subject to the rights of the stockholders to remove a director for cause in accordance with applicable law, during the term of this Agreement, each Stockholder will vote (or consent pursuant to an action by written consent of the stockholders) all shares of capital stock of the Company now or hereafter directly or indirectly owned of record or beneficially by the Stockholder (the “Voting Shares”), or cause the Voting Shares to be voted, in such manner as may be necessary to elect (and maintain in office) as the members of the Board:
Subject to the rights of the stockholders of the Company to remove a director for cause in accordance with applicable law, during the term of this Agreement, a Stockholder will not take any action to remove an incumbent Board Designee or to designate a new Board Designee unless such removal or designation of a Board Designee is approved in a writing signed by the parties entitled to designate the Board Designee. Each Stockholder hereby appoints, and will appoint, the then‑current Chief Executive Officer of the Company as the Stockholder’s true and lawful proxy and attorney, with the power to act alone and with full power of substitution, to vote all shares of the Company’s capital stock held by the Stockholder as set forth in this Agreement and to execute all appropriate instruments consistent with this Agreement on behalf of the Stockholder if, and only if, the Stockholder (a) fails to vote or (b) attempts to vote (whether by proxy, in person or by written consent), in a manner that is inconsistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, all of the Stockholder’s Voting Shares or execute such other instruments in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement within five days of the Company’s or any other party’s written request for the Stockholder’s written consent or signature. The proxy and power granted by each Stockholder pursuant to this Section are coupled with an interest and are given to secure the performance of the Stockholder’s duties under this Agreement. Each such proxy and power will be irrevocable for the term of this Agreement. The proxy and power, so long as any Stockholder is an individual, will survive the death, incompetency and disability of such Stockholder and, so long as any Stockholder is an entity, will survive the merger or reorganization of the Stockholder or any other entity holding Voting Shares.
- GENERAL PROVISIONS.
- Successors and Assigns. The terms and conditions of this Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the parties. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties to this Agreement or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement. A Stockholder will not transfer Shares unless each transferee has agreed, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company, to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
- Governing Law. This Agreement is governed by the Governing Law, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of choice of law.
- Counterparts; Manner of Delivery. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable law) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered will be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
- Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement. References to sections or subsections within this Exhibit B will be deemed to be references to the sections contained in this Exhibit B, unless otherwise specifically stated in this Agreement.
- Notices. All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been given upon the earlier of actual receipt or: (a) personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent, if sent by facsimile or electronic mail during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not sent during normal business hours, then on the recipient’s next business day, (c) five days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one business day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, freight prepaid, specifying next business day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications must be sent to the respective parties at their address as set forth on the signature page or Schedule 1, or to such address, facsimile number or electronic mail address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance with this Section 5.
- No Finder’s Fees. Each party severally represents to the other parties that it neither is nor will be obligated for any finder’s fee or commission in connection with this transaction. Each Purchaser will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a finder’s or broker’s fee arising out of this transaction (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Purchaser or any of its officers, employees, or representatives is responsible. The Company will indemnify, defend, and hold harmless each Purchaser from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a finder’s or broker’s fee arising out of this transaction (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Company or any of its officers, employees or representatives is responsible.
- Attorneys’ Fees. If any action at law or in equity (including arbitration) is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party will be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs, and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which the party may be Each party will pay all costs and expenses that it incurs with respect to the negotiation, execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement; provided, however, that the Company will, at the Closing, reimburse the fees and expenses of one counsel for Purchasers, for a flat fee equal to the Purchaser Counsel Reimbursement Amount.
- Amendments and Waivers. Except as specified in Section 2.2, any term of this Agreement may be amended, terminated or waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) only with the written consent of the Company and the Purchasers holding a majority of the then-outstanding shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock (or Common Stock issued on conversion thereof); provided, however, that any amendment to Section 7.1(a) will also require the additional written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock then held by all of the Common Control Holders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the addition of a party to this Agreement in accordance with Section 5.5 or Section 8.1 will not require any further consent. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 8.8 will be binding upon the Purchasers, the Key Holders, each transferee of the shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock (or Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof) or Common Stock from a Purchaser or Key Holder, as applicable, and each future holder of all such securities, and the Company. It is specifically intended that entering into the Next Financing Documents in a form substantially similar to the form agreements set as forth as Model Legal Documents on http://www.nvca.org will be considered an amendment to this Agreement provided that it is done in accordance with this Section 8.8.
- Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement will in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.
- Delays or Omissions. No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party under this Agreement, upon any breach or default of any other party under this Agreement, will impair any such right, power or remedy of such non-breaching or non-defaulting party nor will it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring. No waiver of any single breach or default will be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default regardless of whether the other breach or default occurred before or after the waiver. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any party of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver on the part of any party of any terms or conditions of this Agreement, must be in writing and will be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded to any party, are cumulative and not alternative.
- Termination. Unless terminated earlier pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (x) the rights, duties and obligations under Section 4, Section 6 and Section 7 will terminate immediately prior to the closing of the IPO, (y) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, this Agreement (excluding any then-existing obligations) will terminate upon the closing of a Deemed Liquidation Event (as defined in the Restated Certificate) and (z) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Section 1, Section 2, Section 3, Section 1.2 and this Section 8 will survive any termination of this Agreement.
- Dispute Resolution. Each party (a) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the personal jurisdiction of the Dispute Resolution Jurisdiction for the purpose of any suit, action, or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement; (b) will not commence any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement except in the Dispute Resolution Jurisdiction; and (c) hereby waives, and will not assert, by way of motion, as a defense, or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not subject to the personal jurisdiction of the Dispute Resolution Jurisdiction, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper or that this Agreement, or the subject matter hereof and thereof may not be enforced in or by the Dispute Resolution Jurisdiction.
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The parties to this Agreement have executed this Agreement as of the date and year first written above.
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The parties to this Agreement have executed this Agreement as of the date and year first written above.
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EXHIBIT C
FORM OF RESTATED CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT D
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE
This Disclosure Schedule (this “Disclosure Schedule”) is delivered by the Company in connection with the sale of shares of Series Seed Preferred Stock on or about the Agreement Date by the Company. This Disclosure Schedule is arranged in sections corresponding to the numbered and lettered sections contained in Exhibit B of the Agreement, and the disclosures in any section of this Disclosure Schedule qualify other sections in Exhibit B of the Agreement to the extent it is reasonably apparent from a reading of the disclosure that such disclosure is applicable to such other sections. Where any representation or warranty is limited or qualified by the materiality of the matters to which the representation or warranty are given, the inclusion of any matter in this Disclosure Schedule does not constitute an admission by the Company that such matter is material. Unless otherwise defined in this Agreement, any capitalized terms in this Disclosure Schedule have the same meanings assigned to those terms in the Agreement. Nothing in this Disclosure Schedule constitutes an admission of any liability or obligation of the Company to any third party, or an admission against the Company’s interests.