If you’re the founder of a startup, one of your biggest challenges is securing enough seed capital.

A Simple Agreement for Future Equity or SAFE note is one avenue you can explore for doing so.

SAFE notes are, in essence, a simpler alternative to convertible notes and other more traditional routes to funding.

They’re not, however, without their own issues and won’t always be the sensible choice for a young business.

So, let’s get into what SAFE notes are, how they work, how they compare with convertible notes, and why you may — or may not — wish to use them.

Key takeaways:

• A SAFE note is a legally-binding promise that an investor can buy future shares at an agreed-upon price.
• Similarities between SAFE notes and convertible notes include that they both use discounts and valuation caps, and have similar converting events.
• Benefits of SAFE notes include their greater simplicity and flexibility than other tools for raising capital.
• There are risks to using SAFE notes, including the potential to dilute the ownership stake in a business.

What is a SAFE note?

First things first, what are SAFE notes? A Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) note is a financial agreement a startup makes with an investor, in order to secure seed capital.

Y Combinator, a Silicon Valley accelerator, created the SAFE note in 2013, for the purpose of drafting a 5-10 page document that outlined each investment.

The note is essentially a promise (which is legally-binding) to provide equity at a future date to an investor, in return for their initial investment. It’s designed to provide the kind of flexibility startups need to kick off early growth.

So, That’s the rationale behind the SAFE note explained, but just how do they compare to convertible notes?

SAFE notes vs. convertible notes

SAFE notes are similar to convertible notes.

After all, SAFE notes were created using convertible notes as a starting point, with the aim of making the investing process less complicated.

There are a number of ways that SAFE notes and convertible notes look the same on the surface:

• Both notes use discounts and validation caps as a basis of the document.
• Both notes could be issued with no cap if you learn how to negotiate a contract.
• Both notes have similar converting events that offer an early payout.
• Both notes can contain insolvency events, but you need to write this into a SAFE note.
• Both notes provide even more benefits to investors who duck out early with a discount note.
• Both notes become equity in subsequent priced rounds.
• Both notes feature savings, value maxims, and MFN clauses.

Despite their similarities, convertible notes do have some advantages over SAFE notes in some cases. The pros of using convertible notes instead of a SAFE note, include:

• Convertible notes become simple to make, send, and initiate with a discount, valuation cap, and a convertible note agreement template, like the legally-binding one available for free from PandaDoc, because they’re generally known.
• Convertible notes have a maturity date and interest rate, and can be used by a C-corp, meaning that investors can accrue revenue through interest payments over time.
• Convertible notes transform only when a qualifying transaction takes place.
• Convertible notes have some liquidation preferences, which gives investors a better chance to get their money back.
• Convertible notes allow companies to receive capital without a complicated equity round.
• Convertible notes sit at the top of the cap table but are flexible. This means investors can’t foreclose on a company’s assets and can’t take back unpaid property.
• Convertible notes allow investors to change the note into equity if the startup is acquired.
• Convertible notes are attractive to investors because of the maturity date and interest rate. Their investment continues to accrue, raising its value over time.

Learning how to send a convertible note to an investor can set you up for success.

Why? Because convertible notes are considered fairer than SAFE notes by most investors.

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How do SAFE notes work?

When it comes to investing and fundraising for early-stage companies, both entrepreneurs and investors have a wide variety of tools at their disposal to transact deals.

SAFE notes enable startups to create a structure for seed investments that won’t immediately default to debt.

This is important because founders seek funding during the pre-revenue stage.

Taking on debt, especially during seed rounds and early-stage Series A rounds, can cause a business to collapse under its own financial pressure as it struggles to pay back loans before revenue begins to materialize.

As we’ve already seen, SAFE notes are different from convertible notes, which are designed as debt instruments that converts to equity under specific conditions.

The SAFE note agreement anticipates that the investment amount is unsecured and will be drawn down in a lump sum.

These notes don’t have a maturity date or interest rates (because they aren’t convertible debt) and offer limited room for negotiation.

SAFE notes aren’t loans, so the investment amount remains outstanding until it’s converted into equity or until it’s repaid or converted during a liquidity event.

SAFE note examples: When you may choose to use them

So, that’s SAFE notes explained in theory, but when might startups choose them over convertible notes and other alternatives? There are a number of reasons why you might choose a SAFE note:

• Investors who want to set up a prime negotiating opportunity may utilize a SAFE note. That’s because SAFE notes convert to preferred stock typically with a discounted price. With a high valuation cap, the investor could receive five to 10 times their invested amount compared.
• Founders may want to sell SAFE notes instead of equity to avoid setting a valuation for their company.
• Founders have more control over how repayment takes place, meaning that they won’t be racing against tight deadlines or mounting debt while trying to reach a new milestone or the next round of funding.
• Both parties may prefer the simplified process of using SAFE notes that reduces the time and costs associated with financing. In short, it can be easier and faster to structure a deal using a SAFE note compared with other investment tools.

Only the valuation cap, discount, and financing threshold can be customized in a SAFE note. To maintain its simplicity, you won’t be able to negotiate other aspects of the document at any time.

Wondering what we mean by valuation cap, discount rate, and some of the other SAFE note-specific terminology? Then, read on.

General SAFE note terms and jargon

There are a lot of terms used explicitly for SAFE notes that aren’t typically used elsewhere.

This section explains what they mean for the layperson, so you can better understand and use SAFE notes.

1. Valuation cap

A predetermined floor that sets the highest permissible value for the company.

This is used instead of the actual value of the company when converting the SAFE notes into shares.

Keep in mind that this cap also affects a SAFE note’s conversion price (valuation cap divided by company’s capitalization [total number of shares and options]).

2. Discount rates

Provides the investor with a direct discount on the price per share that the notes will convert at, as compared to future equity investors. Investors can cash out when a conversion event occurs.

3. Pro-rata rights

If an agreement is “pro-rata,” it means investors can invest additional funds to maintain their ownership percentage during equity financing after the initial funding round when SAFE notes convert into equity.

The investor pays the new price of the round, not the initial cost.

4. Equity financing (also considered a converting event)

A growing company will do multiple rounds of equity financing to actively scale.

If equity financing occurs, it raises the price of your SAFE notes if you use your pro-rata rights.

5. Converting events

As stated, a SAFE note can only be converted back into cash if it’s turned into equity or repaid during an event.

You’ll typically see the following event clauses in a SAFE agreement:

1. Dissolution event: A dissolution event describes the voluntary or involuntary termination of the company.
2. Liquidity event: A liquidity event may occur if the company’s founders feel their equity has little to no market value to trade on. It’s an exit strategy that allows founders and investors to cash out before it’s too late.
3. Insolvency event: An insolvency event occurs when a person can no longer meet their financial obligations to lenders as debts become due. In this situation, a business may restructure its debts or file for bankruptcy.

Safe note types

The combination of elements above which make up any given SAFE note, determine what type of SAFE note it is.

In general, there are four main varieties.

1. Cap, no discount: Has only a valuation cap.
2. Discount, no cap: Has no cap and contains a discount when the note converts.
3. Cap and discount: Has both a valuation cap and a discount.
4. MFN, no cap, no discount: Has no cap, no discount, but does contain the most favored nation principle. When the SAFE note converts to equity, the funds mostly stay within the company. MFN typically repels seed investors.

Although SAFE notes are much simpler to use and understand, there is still a bit of a learning curve associated with the agreement.

It may be worth overcoming that learning curve, however, as they have their benefits.

Benefits of using SAFE notes

When a founder is looking for seed investment for their startup, a SAFE note agreement can offer several benefits.

Since the SAFE note is still considered a new document, you may need to explain to your investors why they may also benefit from this agreement.

Benefits associated with SAFE notes include:

• Early exits: SAFE notes offer companies multiple ways to cash in on their equity.
• Accounting: SAFE notes are placed in a company’s capitalization table.
• Simplicity: SAFE notes are straightforward, and easy to understand.
• Flexibility: SAFE notes give startups more freedom due to the lack of maturity date.
• Equity: SAFE notes allow investors to convert their investments into equity.
• Little negotiation: SAFE notes are typically only negotiated based on cap.
• Preferred stock: SAFE notes can offer high-value preferred stock to investors.

The preferred stock allows investors to take advantage of dividends, which gives them priority during a conversion event.

In fact, multiple equity rounds can offer even more benefits to potential investors.

How to use uncapped and capped SAFE notes

If the benefits of SAFE notes have convinced you to further explore them as an option, you’ll want to know how to use them effectively.

As mentioned, SAFE notes either come with or without a valuation cap.

A “capped” investment round places a ceiling on the valuation once the notes are converted into equity, which gives investors an idea of how much of the company they’ll own.

It’s easy to attract investors with a capped SAFE note.

Uncapped SAFE notes are riskier for investors but more favorable to the entrepreneur.

The investor isn’t offered a guarantee of how much they’ll own.

For example, say an investor invests $200,000 in a company with a cap of $2 million.

As long as the company’s value exceeds the investment amount, the investor will own 10% of the company until the subsequent financing round.

At that point, they should invest more if the cap increases.

On the other hand, if an investor invested $200,000 with an uncapped SAFE note agreement, their share of the company will continue to diminish as the company grows.

If that same company from the last example is valued at $20 million, the investor only owns 1%.

If you want to use both note examples properly, keep the following things in mind.

Uncapped SAFE notes:

1. Founders shouldn’t issue these notes if they don’t understand the value of their company, especially in the case of MFN, no cap, no discount notes.
2. Uncapped SAFE notes have a lower opt-in percentage than capped.
3. It’s difficult to see a profit for both parties with uncapped SAFE notes.
4. The discount, no cap note offers a better value for investors, as they have some idea of what they’ll earn back in equity.

It’s in your best interest to avoid uncapped SAFE notes.

The valuation cap limits the risk of investing early but still gives the flexibility of the note. Seed investors should only use capped notes.

Capped SAFE notes:

1. Make your first cap something low but reasonable, like $1-$3 million.
2. Don’t do multiple investment rounds with different limits early; it’s risky.
3. Avoid down rounds (financing rounds that decrease the price of their stocks) that can happen with discount and capped notes by doing an equity deal around $5-$7 million.
4. Capped notes should come with a discount, as they offer more for investors.
5. When doing a second or third round of investments, consider using a discount, no cap SAFE note. At this stage, investors won’t be scared away by the no cap option.
6. Use priced rounds in the second or third round to sell your equity in exchange for investments. This type of equity financing structure can build you a bigger safety net.
7. While raising common stock is beneficial, it won’t trigger a protective conversion event. For extra cash, consider doing a “family round” to avoid the conversion event.
8. Set up your notes with a minimum percentage of the equities cap, not the total value.

Although using a capped SAFE note is more advantageous than uncapped notes for both parties, there are a few risks and drawbacks that come with using all types of SAFE notes.

Risks and drawbacks of using SAFE notes

The SAFE notes’ biggest positive is their simplicity, but that can be terrifying for investors.

That small amount of wiggle room leads to a significant problem: different valuation caps for separate investors.

Many founders will set up different agreements with different caps for investors they want to attract, but that reduces your previous investor’s investment.

You can easily avoid this problem by issuing only one cap per round, but SAFE notes are still risky even when accounting for this tiny snag. Like any legal document, SAFE notes aren’t perfect.

The risks associated with SAFE notes include:

• Risky investment: SAFE notes aren’t a debt instrument and may not turn into equity.
• Requires incorporation: SAFE notes are only offered to incorporated companies, specifically limited liability companies, or LLCs.
• Unfamiliarity: SAFE notes use specific legal speech that isn’t commonly known.
• Low returns: SAFE notes won’t offer returns if you hold onto them for over a year, which means that SAFE note holders have a vested interest in using this tool under very specific circumstances.
• Dilution: SAFE notes may dilute the investors’ ownership of the company, which can make deals less appealing for angel investors looking for big returns from early-stage startups.
• No options: SAFE notes come in four types, but only the cap and discount option is viable.
• Triggers fair valuation: SAFE notes could start a fair valuation (409a), which requires a company to pay for a lawyer or professional accounting service. Both are pricey.

Still want to use a SAFE note? There are a few ways you can limit or solve SAFE note problems.

How to prevent SAFE note problems

In a few cases, the answer to solving your SAFE note problems narrows down to not using them at all. Let’s dig into why that is.

Pre-money vs. post-money valuation

Despite the money moving around in venture capital circles, many new investors and entrepreneurs don’t understand what pre- versus post-money valuation is or how this knowledge can solve several note problems.

Pre-money valuation is the value of a company before external funding or the latest round of financing takes place. This helps startups determine what they may be worth before investing.

Post-money valuation is the value of a company after external funding takes place. Post-money valuation includes all outside financing or capital injection.

When a business issues additional SAFE notes, the equity moves further from the original valuation cap, leading to a large gap between the pre-money and post-money valuation.

Founders should understand that dilution already happened when they issued the SAFE notes.

If the company’s value drops significantly, it’s likely that financial structure changes or the price of the notes are to blame, but this problem is usually caused by the decision to issue notes in the first place.

To avoid this problem, companies should offer investors their post-money valuation amount because investors will have a better idea of what portion they own of the business.

The KISS: When to use one instead of a SAFE note

So, if you do decide that the simplest solution to SAFE note problems is not to use them, what could you choose instead? A KISS might be the answer.

The “Keep It Simple Security” (KISS) merges the simplistic SAFE with the in-depth convertible note.

Since KISSes take an investor-friendly approach with their protective mechanisms, they’re more likely to attract capital. Plus, you won’t need to spend hours negotiating terms.

The pros of using KISS instead of a SAFE note:

• KISSes have downside protections not found in SAFE notes.
• KISSes, unlike SAFE notes, have an interest rate and end date.
• KISSes are more customizable than SAFE notes.
• KISSes give investors rights that could prevent a company’s financial issues.

However, there are flaws with using a KISS:

• KISSes are more complex than SAFE notes and require some degree of discussion.
• KISSes usually need to be drafted by an attorney, which requires time and money.
• KISSes are even less popular than SAFE notes.
• KISSes are too similar to convertible notes to be considered “unique.”

While KISSes aren’t necessarily better or worse than SAFE notes or convertible notes, it provides investors and founders with another option for receiving seed money from investors.

So, is a SAFE note good for investors?

The worthiness of a SAFE note as an investment tool will mostly be determined on a case-by-case basis for each investor.

For investors looking for a quick turnaround on their money, the lack of a reliable timetable for equity conversion can be a real problem.

However, especially for investors who are looking to take a flier on early-stage startups (where SAFE notes are most commonly used), the lack of terms around payout can give the business time to develop its revenue model and stabilize its cash flow a little more.

That isn’t to say that SAFE notes have no risk.

The lack of a liquidation preference or any guarantee that you’ll get your money back can be a considerable danger.

And, because SAFE notes aren’t considered debt and won’t accrue interest, the investment won’t generate any additional revenue on its own until the company matures and the investment converts.

If an investor is looking to ramp money into a business, or if the business is already moving toward more mature funding rounds, SAFE notes won’t make sense.

Instead, investors might want to hold off until a later date and use something like a convertible note to structure a more traditional investment deal.

Get started writing SAFE notes with PandaDoc

The SAFE note is one of the newest business documents around, and it helps to know what they are.

Despite their use in business, especially when it comes to investment proposals, SAFE notes need a bit of tweaking and negotiating to be beneficial for both parties.

Founders who are looking to learn how to write a proposal for future clients should consider taking a look at our investment proposal template.

Or, you could browse PandaDoc’s entire catalog of free templates!

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Originally published January 6, 2022, updated December 1, 2023