Chicago, Illinois Simple Agreement for Future Equity, also commonly known as SAFE, is a legal contract that governs the investment in early-stage startups in Chicago, Illinois. It is a financial agreement where an investor provides capital to a startup in exchange for the right to obtain shares in the company at a future date, usually upon a specific milestone or event. This financing tool has gained significant popularity in the Chicago startup ecosystem due to its simplicity, flexibility, and investor-friendly terms. The Chicago Illinois SAFE is designed to facilitate fundraising for startups by mitigating the complexities associated with traditional equity financing. There are several types of Chicago Illinois Simple Agreement for Future Equity that cater to different investment scenarios: 1. Conversion SAFE: This type of SAFE includes a conversion feature that allows the investor's initial investment to convert into equity shares in the event of a subsequent financing round or specific trigger event, such as a sale or IPO. The conversion terms are typically determined based on the terms negotiated in the subsequent financing round. 2. Valuation Cap SAFE: In this type of SAFE, the investor agrees to a valuation cap, which sets a maximum pre-money valuation at which their investment will convert into equity. This ensures that the investor receives a certain percentage of ownership in the company, even if the subsequent financing round values the startup at a higher valuation. 3. Discount SAFE: A Discount SAFE grants the investor the right to purchase equity shares at a predetermined discounted price compared to the valuation of the subsequent financing round. This provides investors with an advantage by enabling them to acquire more shares for their initial investment, encouraging early investments in startups. 4. MFN SAFE: The Most Favored Nation (MFN) SAFE includes a provision that ensures the investor receives the most favorable terms available in subsequent financing rounds. This protects the investor from receiving less favorable terms compared to other investors in the future, ensuring they are treated equally. 5. Post-Money SAFE: Unlike traditional Safes, the Post-Money SAFE values the startup based on its post-money valuation. This means that the investor's ownership percentage is determined after the successful completion of a subsequent financing round, taking into account the influx of capital from that round. Overall, the Chicago Illinois Simple Agreement for Future Equity serves as a valuable tool for early-stage startups in Chicago to attract investments and secure funding for their growth. The different types of Safes enable startups and investors to negotiate terms that best align with their respective interests, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the vibrant Chicago startup ecosystem.