Montana Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) is a legal contract popularly used in startup ecosystems to facilitate investment between entrepreneurs and investors. It offers a simplified method of raising funds without determining the company's valuation at the time of investment. The Montana SAFE provides investors with the potential to convert their investment into equity at a later stage, typically during a subsequent financing round or exit event. This agreement offers several benefits, such as flexibility and reduced complexity for both parties involved. There are various types of Montana Simple Agreements for Future Equity, each serving distinct purposes: 1. Montana pre-Roman SAFE: This type of SAFE calculates the conversion triggers based on the company's valuation before the investment. Investors who opt for pre-Roman SAFE end up with a larger percentage of equity upon conversion. 2. Montana Post-Money SAFE: Unlike the pre-money SAFE, the post-money SAFE considers the company's valuation after the investment. Consequently, the investor's equity percentage on conversion in a post-money SAFE is relatively lower due to the increased overall company valuation. 3. Montana Valuation Cap SAFE: This type of SAFE includes a predetermined valuation cap, which acts as a maximum valuation limit at the time of conversion. The investor benefits from a conversion price equal to the lower valuation between the cap and the valuation at the next priced round. 4. Montana Discount SAFE: This SAFE provides investors with a discount on the conversion price during the next financing round. The discount rate is agreed upon when signing the agreement and ensures that the investors receive additional shares relative to the next round's investors. 5. Montana MFN (Most Favored Nation) SAFE: This type of SAFE protects investors in case the company issues Safes with better terms to subsequent investors. Investors with the MFN provision can benefit from those improved terms whenever Safes are issued at a better rate. Investors and entrepreneurs often choose the most suitable type of Montana SAFE based on their negotiation priorities, financial strategies, and expectations for the company's future valuation. These agreements help facilitate investment while minimizing complexity and negotiation hurdles, making them a popular choice in early-stage funding and startup ecosystems.
Montana Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) is a legal contract popularly used in startup ecosystems to facilitate investment between entrepreneurs and investors. It offers a simplified method of raising funds without determining the company's valuation at the time of investment. The Montana SAFE provides investors with the potential to convert their investment into equity at a later stage, typically during a subsequent financing round or exit event. This agreement offers several benefits, such as flexibility and reduced complexity for both parties involved. There are various types of Montana Simple Agreements for Future Equity, each serving distinct purposes: 1. Montana pre-Roman SAFE: This type of SAFE calculates the conversion triggers based on the company's valuation before the investment. Investors who opt for pre-Roman SAFE end up with a larger percentage of equity upon conversion. 2. Montana Post-Money SAFE: Unlike the pre-money SAFE, the post-money SAFE considers the company's valuation after the investment. Consequently, the investor's equity percentage on conversion in a post-money SAFE is relatively lower due to the increased overall company valuation. 3. Montana Valuation Cap SAFE: This type of SAFE includes a predetermined valuation cap, which acts as a maximum valuation limit at the time of conversion. The investor benefits from a conversion price equal to the lower valuation between the cap and the valuation at the next priced round. 4. Montana Discount SAFE: This SAFE provides investors with a discount on the conversion price during the next financing round. The discount rate is agreed upon when signing the agreement and ensures that the investors receive additional shares relative to the next round's investors. 5. Montana MFN (Most Favored Nation) SAFE: This type of SAFE protects investors in case the company issues Safes with better terms to subsequent investors. Investors with the MFN provision can benefit from those improved terms whenever Safes are issued at a better rate. Investors and entrepreneurs often choose the most suitable type of Montana SAFE based on their negotiation priorities, financial strategies, and expectations for the company's future valuation. These agreements help facilitate investment while minimizing complexity and negotiation hurdles, making them a popular choice in early-stage funding and startup ecosystems.
