Houston, Texas Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) is a legal document commonly used in startup funding. It is a type of investment contract that allows investors to provide capital to a startup in exchange for the right to convert their investment into equity in the future, typically upon the occurrence of a specified trigger event. The Houston, Texas Simple Agreement for Future Equity is designed to offer a straightforward and investor-friendly approach to early-stage investments. It has gained popularity due to its flexibility and simplicity compared to traditional equity investment instruments, such as stock purchase agreements. Under this agreement, investors provide financing to the startup with the expectation of receiving equity ownership at a later stage. The conversion of the investment into equity is usually triggered by predetermined events, such as a subsequent funding round or the sale of the company. Unlike other investment structures, SAFE does not have a maturity date or an interest payment obligation. There are different variations of the Houston, Texas Simple Agreement for Future Equity, including: 1. SAFE with a Valuation Cap: This variant sets a maximum valuation cap at which the investment will convert into equity, ensuring that investors receive their ownership stake based on a predetermined valuation. 2. SAFE with a Discount: This type of SAFE offers investors a predetermined discount on the valuation of the startup during the next equity financing round, providing them with a more favorable conversion price. 3. SAFE with both a Valuation Cap and a Discount: This version combines both a valuation cap and a discount, offering investors added protection and potentially higher returns in the event of a future funding round. 4. SAFE Post-Money: This variant determines the investor's equity ownership based on the company's post-financing valuation, meaning the investment amount is added to the company's post-money valuation before calculating the percentage of ownership. In conclusion, the Houston, Texas Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) is a popular investment instrument that allows startups to raise capital while deferring the conversion of such investment into equity until specified triggering events occur. Its flexible nature and different variations provide various options for both founders and investors to structure their agreements based on their specific needs and expectations.