A SAFE Agreement (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) is an investment contract that gives investors the right to receive shares in your company at a later date, typically when you raise a larger funding round or achieve certain milestones.
A SAFE Agreement promises investors that they'll receive equity shares in your company during a future "qualifying event" - usually your next significant funding round.
Rather than getting shares immediately, they're essentially buying a contractual right to future ownership.
Unlike traditional equity investments where investors receive shares straight away, a SAFE Agreement delays the actual share issuance.
It also differs from convertible loans because there's no interest rate, maturity date, or requirement to repay the money if things don't work out.
A SAFE Agreement typically converts during your next qualifying financing round (usually Series A), when your company is sold, or if it reaches a pre-agreed valuation cap.
The conversion terms are built into the original agreement.
SAFE Agreements are popular because they're simpler and quicker to negotiate than traditional equity rounds.
They help startups raise money without immediately determining a company valuation, which can be challenging for very early-stage businesses.
The key terms include the investment amount, valuation cap (maximum company value for conversion), discount rate (percentage reduction on future share price), and trigger events that cause conversion to equity.
If your company doesn't trigger a conversion event, the SAFE Agreement typically remains dormant.
However, most agreements include provisions for what happens in dissolution scenarios, though investors generally rank after debt holders in these situations.
