A West Virginia Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) is a legal document that outlines an agreement between an investor and a startup company in West Virginia. It serves as an alternative to traditional equity financing methods, allowing the investor to provide funding to the startup in exchange for a promise of future equity when specified trigger events occur. The West Virginia SAFE agreement establishes a framework for the investment, specifying the amount of investment, the valuation cap, and the occurrence of trigger events that can lead to the conversion of the investment into equity. The valuation cap determines the maximum valuation at which the investment can convert into equity, protecting the investor's potential return. There are several types of West Virginia SAFE agreements: 1. pre-Roman SAFE: This type of SAFE agreement determines the valuation cap before any subsequent equity financing rounds occur. 2. Post-Money SAFE: In this case, the valuation cap is determined after any equity financing rounds have taken place. It considers the value of the company after the injection of new capital through those rounds. 3. Discount SAFE: This agreement offers investors a discounted price per share during equity conversion compared to future investors, incentivizing early investors. 4. Valuation Cap SAFE: This type restricts the equity conversion price to a pre-determined valuation cap, allowing investors to secure more equity at a lower price during the trigger events. The West Virginia SAFE agreement provides a flexible and simpler method for startups to secure early-stage investments without immediate equity dilution. It gives investors an opportunity to support promising startups, while allowing startups to raise capital and demonstrate their growth potential before engaging in formal equity financing rounds. Overall, the West Virginia SAFE agreement presents an innovative and accessible investment instrument that promotes the growth of startups in the state, fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.