Security instruments
What happens to Crowd SAFE holders if my company is acquired or goes public?
Crowd SAFE holders have the option to be converted to either cash or common stock.
Each company can customize its Crowd SAFE, including or excluding certain provisions. Most include a valuation cap and a discount. If the Crowd SAFE includes both a valuation cap and a discount, the provision more favorable to the investor applies if there is ever a trigger event.
Valuation cap:
The valuation cap specifies the maximum valuation at which the investment converts into equity shares or cash. This means that investors, when a trigger event occurs, receive equity shares or cash at the valuation cap price—no matter the valuation at which the company sells. Therefore, the higher the valuation of the company at the time of sale, the greater the investor’s return.
Discount:
If a trigger event for the company occurs, the discount provision gives investors equity shares (or equal value in cash) at a reduced price relative to what others pay at IPO or for the company’s acquisition.