Many companies should be able to take advantage of new SEC rules that will permit them to sell up to $50 million of securities to investors in a 12-month period without "going public."
TWO TIER SCHEME
Rules for the new Regulation A+ avenue for raising capital, which were announced by the SEC on March 25, provide for a two-tier system as follows:
- Companies will be able to offer up to $20 million worth of securities to investors in Tier 1 offerings generally without having to provide audited financial statements or ongoing reports to the SEC
- Companies that wish to raise from $20 million to $50 million will be able to do so by means of a Tier 2 offering, which will require audited financial statements for investors and ongoing annual and semiannual reports to the SEC that will be less detailed than public company reports<
HIGHLIGHTS
- Most U.S. or Canadian based private companies will be eligible
- Most securities (other than asset-backed securities) will be eligible for sale
- Companies will be able to make Tier 2 offerings only to accredited investors who meet certain income or net worth tests, and non-accredited investors whose purchases are limited by their net worth and income
- Companies offering securities for sale will be able to send sales materials via the internet
- Issuing companies will be able to "test the waters" by using solicitation materials before a required offering statement is filed, or filed publicly, with the SEC
- The new rules become effective June 19, 2015.
There are significant nuances to the rules regarding eligibility, prescribed offering statements, filing requirements, and solicitation of investors. There are also so-called "bad actor disqualifications" that prohibit the use of Regulation A+ if certain individuals are involved.
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