风险投资协议(英文版).doc

风险投资协议(英文版)

TERM SHEET
PRELIMINARY NOTES

THIS TERM SHEET MAPS TO THE NVCA MODEL DOCUMENTS, AND FOR CONVENIENCE THE PROVISIONS ARE GROUPED ACCORDING TO THE PARTICULAR MODEL DOCUMENT IN WHICH THEY MAY BE FOUND. ALTHOUGH THIS TERM SHEET IS PERHAPS SOMEWHAT LONGER THAN A "TYPICAL" VC TERM SHEET, THE AIM IS TO PROVIDE A LEVEL OF DETAIL THAT MAKES THE TERM SHEET USEFUL AS BOTH A ROAD MAP FOR THE DOCUMENT DRAFTERS AND AS A REFERENCE SOURCE FOR THE BUSINESS PEOPLE TO QUICKLY FIND DEAL TERMS WITHOUT THE NECESSITY OF HAVING TO CONSULT THE LEGAL DOCUMENTS (ASSUMING OF COURSE THERE HAVE BEEN NO CHANGES TO THE MATERIAL DEAL TERMS PRIOR TO EXECUTION OF THE FINAL DOCUMENTS).

TERM SHEET
FOR SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK FINANCING OF
[INSERT COMPANY NAME], INC.
[ __, 200_]

This Term Sheet summarizes the principal terms of the Series A Preferred Stock Financing of [___________], Inc., a [Delaware] corporation (the “Company”). In consideration of the time and expense devoted and to be devoted by the Investors with respect to this investment, the No Shop/Confidentiality and Counsel and Expenses provisions of this Term Sheet shall be binding obligations of the Company whether or not the financing is consummated. No other legally binding obligations will be created until definitive agreements are executed and delivered by all parties. This Term Sheet is not a commitment to invest, and is conditioned on the completion of due diligence, legal review and documentation that is satisfactory to the Investors. This Term Sheet shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the [State of Delaware].

Offering Terms

Closing Date:
As soon as practicable following the Company’s acceptance of this Term Sheet and satisfaction of the Conditions to Closing (the “Closing”). [provide for multiple closings if applicable]
Investors:
Investor No. 1: [_______] shares ([__]%), $[_________]
Investor No. 2: [_______] shares ([__]%), $[_________]
[as well other investors mutually agreed upon by Investors and the Company]
Amount Raised:
$[________], [including $[________] from the conversion of principal [and interest] on bridge notes]. Modify this provision to account for staged investments or investments dependent on the achievement of milestones by the Company.

Price Per Share:
$[________] per share (based on the capitalization of the Company set forth below) (the “Original Purchase Price”).
Pre-Money Valuation:
The Original Purchase Price is based upon a fully-diluted pre-money valuation of $[_____] and a fullydiluted post-money valuation of $[______] (including an employee pool representing [__]% of the fullydiluted post-money capitalization).
Capitalization:
The Company’s capital structure before and after the Closing is set forth below:

Pre-Financing
Post-Financing
Security
# of Shares
%
# of Shares
%
Common – Founders

Common – Employee Stock Pool
Issued
Unissued

[Common – Warrants]

Series A Preferred

Total

CHARTER The Charter is a public document, filed with the [Delaware] Secretary of State, that establishes all of the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the Preferred Stock. Note that if the Preferred Stock does not have rights, preferences, and privileges materially superior to the Common Stock, then (after Closing) the Company cannot defensibly grant Common Stock options priced at a discount to the Preferred Stock.

Dividends:
[Alternative 1: Dividends will be paid on the Series A Preferred on an asconverted basis when, as, and if paid on the Common Stock]
[Alternative 2: Non-cumulative dividends will be paid on the Series A Preferred in an amount equal to $[_____] per share of Series A Preferred when and if declared by the Board.]
[Alternative 3: The Series A Preferred will carry an annual [__]% cumulative dividend [compounded annually], payable upon a liquidation or redemption. For any other dividends or distributions, participation with Common Stock on an as-converted basis.] In some cases, accrued and unpaid dividends are payable on conversion as well as upon a liquidation event. Most typically, however, dividends are not paid if the preferred is converted. Another alternative is to give the Company the option to pay accrued and unpaid dividends in cash or in common shares valued at fair market value. The latter are referred to as “PIK” (payment-in-kind) dividends.

Liquidation Preference:

In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the proceeds shall be paid as follows:
[Alternative 1 (non-participating Preferred Stock): First pay [one] times the Original Purchase Price [plus accrued dividends] [plus declared and unpaid dividends] on each share of Series A Preferred. The balance of any proceeds shall be distributed to holders of Common Stock.]
[Alternative 2 (full participating Preferred Stock): First pay [one] times the Original Purchase Price [plus accrued dividends] [plus declared and unpaid dividends] on each share of Series A Preferred. Thereafter, the Series A Preferred participates with the Common Stock on an as-converted basis.]
[Alternative 3 (cap on Preferred Stock participation rights): First pay [one] times the Original Purchase Price [plus accrued dividends] [plus declared and unpaid dividends] on each share of Series A Preferred. Thereafter, Series A Preferred participates with Common Stock on an as-converted basis until the holders of Series A Preferred receive an aggregate of [_____] times the Original Purchase Price.]
A merger or consolidation (other than one in which stockholders of the Company own a majority by voting power of the outstanding shares of the surviving or acquiring corporation) and a sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company will be treated as a liquidation event (a “Deemed Liquidation Event”), thereby triggering payment of the liquidation preferences described above [unless the holders of [___]% of the Series A Preferred elect otherwise].
Voting Rights:
The Series A Preferred Stock shall vote together with the Common Stock on an as-converted basis, and not as a separate class, except (i) the Series A Preferred as a class shall be entitled to elect [_______] [(_)] members of the Board (the “Series A Directors”), (ii) as provided under “Protective Provisions” below or (iii) as required by law. The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation will provide that the number of authorized shares of Common Stock may be increased or decreased with the approval of a majority of the Preferred and Common Stock, voting together as a single class, and without a separate class vote by the Common Stock. For California corporations, one cannot “opt out” of the statutory requirement of a separate class vote by Common Stockholders to authorize shares of Common Stock.

Protective Provisions:
So long as [insert fixed number, or %, or “any”] shares of Series A Preferred are outstanding, the Company will not, without the written consent of the holders of at least [__]% of the Company’s Series A Preferred, either directly or by amendment, merger, consolidation, or otherwise:
(i) liquidate, dissolve or windup the affairs of the Company, or effect any Deemed Liquidation Event; (ii) amend, alter, or repeal any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws [in a manner adverse to the Series A Preferred]; Note that as a matter of background law, Section 242(b)(2) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that if any proposed charter amendment would adversely alter the rights, preferences and powers of one series of Preferred Stock, but not similarly adversely alter the entire class of all Preferred Stock, then the holders of that series are entitled to a separate series vote on the amendment.
(iii) create or authorize the creation of or issue any other security convertible into or exercisable for any equity security, having rights, preferences or privileges senior to or on parity with the Series A Preferred, or increase the authorized number of shares of Series A Preferred; (iv) purchase or redeem or pay any dividend on any capital stock prior to the Series A Preferred, [other than stock repurchased from former employees or consultants in connection with the cessation of their employment/services, at the lower of fair market value or cost;] [other than as approved by the Board, including the approval of [_____] Series A Director(s)]; or (v) create or authorize the creation of any debt security [if the Company’s aggregate indebtedness would exceed $[____][other than equipment leases or bank lines of credit][other than debt with no equity feature][unless such debt security has received the prior approval of the Board of Directors, including the approval of [________] Series A Director(s)]; (vi) increase or decrease the size of the Board of Directors.
Optional Conversion:
The Series A Preferred initially converts 1:1 to Common Stock at any time at option of holder, subject to adjustments for stock dividends, splits, combinations and similar events and as described below under “Anti-dilution Provisions.”
Anti-dilution Provisions:
In the event that the Company issues additional securities at a purchase price less than the current Series A Preferred conversion price, such conversion price shall be adjusted in accordance with the following formula:
[Alternative 1: “Typical” weighted average:
CP2 = CP1 * (A+B) / (A+C)

CP2 = New Series A Conversion Price
CP1 = Series A Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to new issue
A = Number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be outstanding immediately prior to new issue (includes all shares of outstanding common stock, all shares of outstanding preferred stock on an as-converted basis, and all outstanding options on an as-exercised basis; and does not include any convertible securities converting into this round of financing)
B = Aggregate consideration received by the Corporation with respect to the new issue divided by CP1
C = Number of shares of stock issued in the subject transaction]

[Alternative 2: Full-ratchet – the conversion price will be reduced to the price at which the new shares are issued.]

[Alternative 3: No price-based anti-dilution protection.]

The following issuances shall not trigger anti-dilution adjustment: Note that additional exclusions are frequently negotiated, such as issuances in connection with equipment leasing and commercial borrowing.

(i) securities issuable upon conversion of any of the Series A Preferred, or as a dividend or distribution on the Series A Preferred; (ii) securities issued upon the conversion of any debenture, warrant, option, or other convertible security; (iii) Common Stock issuable upon a stock split, stock dividend, or any subdivision of shares of Common Stock; and (iv) shares of Common Stock (or options to purchase such shares of Common Stock) issued or issuable to employees or directors of, or consultants to, the Company pursuant to any plan approved by the Company’s Board of Directors [including at least [_______] Series A Director(s)] [(v) shares of Common Stock issued or issuable to banks, equipment lessors pursuant to a debt financing, equipment leasing or real property leasing transaction approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation [, including at least [_______] Series A Director(s)].
Mandatory Conversion:
Each share of Series A Preferred will automatically be converted into Common Stock at the then applicable conversion rate in the event of the closing of a [firm commitment] underwritten public offering with a price of [___] times the Original Purchase Price (subject to adjustments for stock dividends, splits, combinations and similar events) and [net/gross] proceeds to the Company of not less than $[_______] (a “QPO”), or (ii) upon the written consent of the holders of [__]% of the Series A Preferred. The per share test ensures that the investor achieves a significant return on investment before the Company can go public. Also consider allowing a non-QPO to become a QPO if an adjustment is made to the Conversion Price for the benefit of the investor, so that the investor does not have the power to block a public offering.

[Pay-to-Play:

[Unless the holders of [__]% of the Series A elect otherwise,] on any subsequent down round all [Major] Investors are required to participate to the full extent of their participation rights (as described below under “Investor Rights Agreement – Right to Participate Pro Rata in Future Rounds”), unless the participation requirement is waived for all [Major] Investors by the Board [(including vote of [a majority of] the Series A Director[s])]. All shares of Series A Preferred Alternatively, this provision could apply on a proportionate basis (e.g., if Investor plays for ½ of pro rata share, receives ½ of antidilution adjustment).
of any [Major] Investor failing to do so will automatically [lose anti-dilution rights] [lose right to participate in future rounds] [convert to Common Stock and lose the right to a Board seat if applicable]. If the punishment for failure to participate is losing some but not all rights of the Preferred (e.g., anything other than a forced conversion to common), the Charter will need to have so-called “blank check preferred” provisions at least to the extent necessary to enable the Board to issue a “shadow” class of preferred with diminished rights in the event an investor fails to participate. Note that as a drafting matter it is far easier to simply have (some or all of) the preferred convert to common.

Redemption Rights: Redemption rights allow Investors to force the Company to redeem their shares at cost [plus a small guaranteed rate of return (e.g., dividends)]. In practice, redemption rights are not often used; however, they do provide a form of exit and some possible leverage over the Company. While it is possible that the right to receive dividends on redemption could give rise to a Code Section 305 “deemed dividend” problem, many tax practitioners take the view that if the liquidation preference provisions in the Charter are drafted to provide that, on conversion, the holder receives the greater of its liquidation preference or its as-converted amount (as provided in the NVCA model Certificate of Incorporation), then there is no Section 305 issue.

The Series A Preferred shall be redeemable from funds legally available for distribution at the option of holders of at least [__]% of the Series A Preferred commencing any time after the fifth anniversary of the Closing at a price equal to the Original Purchase Price [plus all accrued but unpaid dividends]. Redemption shall occur in three equal annual portions. Upon a redemption request from the holders of the required percentage of the Series A