When accepting money from outside investors, entrepreneurs are generally asked to give up some degree of control over their start-up, exchanging equity in their company for cash. In an effort to minimize the control they relinquish, upon formation of their company entrepreneurs can grant themselves equity that comes with special rights. These rights, such as special voting privileges or guaranteed board seats, allow founders to maintain control of their company in spite of a dwindling ownership percentage. They may also include special rights that make it possible for a founder to cash out some of his equity prior to an IPO or other exit event.
Investors, of course, may prefer that founders not be granted these special rights, and the extent to which these rights survive a round of financing will be the product of negotiation and leverage between the parties. But even though none of these rights may survive, they can play a crucial role in leveling the playing field heading into negotiations, while also signaling to investors that the founders want to be active collaborators in the growth of the company going forward. A reasonable and balanced approach will also let investors know that the founders will be savvy, but practical, partners. We believe that the special rights granted to founders under our model formation documents are a balanced approach that fairly aligns the interests of founders and investors.
FOUNDER CONTROL
Our model formation documents provide that founders are issued a special class of common stock dubbed the "Entrepreneur's Shares" or "Class E" Common Stock. These shares carry protective provisions, similar to those typically granted to holders of preferred stock, requiring a majority vote of Class E stock for the company to undertake certain actions: (1) amend the Certificate of Incorporation or by-laws of the company, (2) acquire or dispose of capital stock of a subsidiary other than a wholly owned subsidiary, (3) change the size of the board of directors, (4) create an additional class or series of capital stock, or change the authorized number of shares of any class or series of capital stock, and (5) liquidate, merge or consolidate the company.
Class E stock also carries special rights with respect to the company's board of directors. Holders of Class E stock, voting separately from all other stockholders, are entitled to elect a majority of the members of the board of directors serving at any given time, ensuring that at all times the founders will maintain majority control of the board. Further, a unanimous vote of the Class E appointments to the board is required in order for the company to make changes to its stock option plan, or to issue any debt securities.
Notably absent from our formation documents are across-the-board "super-voting" rights for Class E stockholders. Other initial capitalization schemes provide, for example, that founders' shares carry 10-1 voting rights on all matters brought before the stockholders. We believe such a structure is particularly unappealing to investors, who may not want to purchase preferred shares with voting rights dwarfed by those of the founders. Our model, in which all shares carry equal voting rights, promotes an atmosphere of collaboration between founders and investors, while vesting ultimate control in the company in the founders through protective provisions and board seats. While investors may also balk at our model, we believe it appears more reasonable than super-voting provisions at first glance, and will lead to more productive negotiations regarding post-investment control over the company.
FOUNDER LIQUIDITY
As a collateral benefit to our approach, founders holding Class E Common Stock can also enjoy greater liquidity of their shares. Unless they are bought out or the company undertakes an IPO, it can be difficult for founders to convert their equity in a company into cash — Investors are rarely willing to buy common stock from a founder during a round of preferred financing. Moreover, if a founder sells his shares of common stock, the strike price for any common stock options will have to be pegged to the consideration he receives. The same effect on option pricing will occur if he sells his common stock back to the company via redemption.
Some structures attempt to solve this problem by issuing to founders a portion of their equity, perhaps 15%, in the form of special convertible stock that converts into whatever class of preferred is being sold in a later round of financing. So, for example, in a Series C Financing, an investor might buy most of its shares of Series C from the Company, but will also buy a portion directly from the founder, which purchased shares then automatically convert into Series C. In this manner, the founder is able to take some money off the table.
While appealing, the above approach lacks flexibility for the founder. The founder must decide from the outset how much of his equity in the company should be potentially convertible into preferred stock. If, upon forming the company, he receives 15% of his equity in the form of convertible stock, then that is the maximum amount of equity he can sell for cash in this manner. Once a preferred financing is at hand, it will be too late for the founder to issue himself additional convertible stock.
The above approach also presents problems for investors who may prefer to buy directly from the company for a number of reasons. As a matter of principle, investors likely prefer that their money goes into the working capital of the company that they now own a part of, and not into the founder's pocket. But also, as a regulatory matter, institutional investors relying on the "venture fund" exemption from registration under the Investment Advisors Act may be required to buy shares directly from the company. A purchase of shares from the founder, rather than from the company, would constitute a "non-qualifying investment" under the venture fund exemption. A fund will lose its exemption if over 20% of its portfolio consists of such non-qualifying investments.
Our approach provides a different path to founder liquidity that avoids many of these problems. Following a round of financing, the company can simply redeem a portion of the founder's Series E shares for cash. Because Series E shares carry rights and preferences different from common stock, this redemption will NOT affect common stock option pricing. Moreover, the founder's potential for liquidity is not "baked in" to his equity from the start, as it is with convertible stock. When the time is appropriate, the founder can seek redemption of any portion of his Series E shares.
From the investors' perspective, the redemption approach avoids venture fund exemption issues, as investors can still buy their preferred shares directly from the company. And redemption provides flexibility to find the appropriate balance.
Many entrepreneurs, reluctant to get bogged down in complexities or scare wary investors, may be tempted to set up their company with a straightforward, single class capitalization. But if drafted with a delicate touch, we believe a more developed initial capitalization structure can give entrepreneurs greater flexibility and control without turning off future investors.
To summarize, we believe startups should be set up as follows:
(a) Class A Common reserved for employees, advisors and other issuances of common stock (including common stock underlying options).
(b) Class E (Entrepreneur) Common issued to the founders. Class E Common has certain protective provisions analogous to Preferred Stock and the right to designate a certain number of board members.
(c) Preferred Stock for investors.
Our Model Certificate of Incorporation for Start-Ups can be accessed here.
Daniel I. DeWolf, Member, DDeWolf@mintz.com
Daniel is Co-chair of the firm’s Venture Capital & Emerging Companies Practice. In addition to his active legal practice, he is an adjunct professor of law at the NYU Law School and he has a wealth of experience in private equity and venture capital, having co-founded Dawntreader Ventures, an early stage venture capital firm based in New York.
Daniel's practice focuses on representing emerging technology companies, venture capital, private equity, sports and entertainment, corporate governance, and general corporate law.
Before joining Mintz Levin, Daniel was head of venture capital funds and a managing director of SoundView Technology Group, Inc. (formerly Wit Capital), a technology-focused investment bank. Prior to joining SoundView, he was head of the corporate and new media and e-law practice groups at one of the leading New York firms representing early stage and technology companies.
Full Bio (http://www.mintz.com/professionals/detail/name/daniel-i-dewolf)
Evan M. Bienstock, Member
Evan’s practice involves all aspects of corporate and securities law for emerging growth, early stage and start-up companies in the digital media, energy and clean technology, sustainability and life sciences industries. He routinely advises clients on their growth and development and participates in a diverse array of transactions, from private placements of securities to mergers and acquisitions. He also counsels his clients on their daily corporate needs and has extensive experience assisting companies with compliance to federal and state securities laws.
Evan’s corporate finance experience includes the completion of hundreds of venture capital and private equity financings, representing both the funds providing the capital and the companies seeking funding. He has been involved in the formation and financing of energy and clean technology companies in renewable markets, such as wind, coal, water turbines, waste treatment, and biofuels and regularly represents start-ups emerging from incubators, accelerators, laboratories and co-working spaces.
Samuel Effron, Associate
Sam’s practice focuses on general corporate representation, securities law matters, and transactional work, including public and private offerings, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital financings, debt and venture capital fund formation, federal securities law compliance and reporting, and corporate governance matters.
He has provided counsel to a diverse range of public and private companies, both domestic and foreign, in a variety of industries, including video gaming, consumer electronics, media, e-commerce, software and high technology, education, marketing, financial services, and shipping/maritime logistics. He has represented both issuers and underwriters in connection with initial public offerings by a number of special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) and has provided counsel with regard to their respective ongoing regulatory compliance and reverse merger transactions.
Ilan Goldbard, Associate
Prior to joining the firm, Ilan was a Holmes Public Service Fellow and served as special assistant corporation counsel in the New York City Law Department. There, he represented members of the NYPD in federal civil rights litigation. Ilan was also a Summer Associate at Mintz Levin in 2009.
While in college, he was a member of Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology and a news reporter at KALX.
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. Website
Our attorneys are no-nonsense, get-to-the-root-of-the-problem kind of people. If there’s a faster way to get there, we’ll find it. It’s our job to give you clear answers and sound solutions.
We focus on what matters to you — whether it’s overcoming a legal challenge, taking your business to the next level, or having a trusted partner for ongoing legal advice. Think of us as an extension of your team with the legal know-how, connections, and industry experience to safeguard your interests.
It’s also our job to make sure you are meeting the people you need to know. We have a network of some of the sharpest business leaders, money people, and legal minds on the planet. Our attorneys are always looking for ways to leverage our resources on clients’ behalf.
We help you move your agenda forward and deal effectively and efficiently with obstacles that come between you and your goals. Responsive, aggressive problem-solving is a Mintz Levin hallmark and the foundation of the firm’s success and growth since 1933.
Material in this work is for general educational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice or legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances, and reflects personal views of the authors and not necessarily those of their firm or any of its clients. For legal advice, please consult your personal lawyer or other appropriate professional. Reproduced with permission from Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.. This work reflects the law at the time of writing in April 2014.