Subscription Agreement: Definition, Key Parts, How They Work

A subscription agreement could be your company’s or startup’s ticket to attracting highly qualified investors to back your next project or venture. However, poorly written subscription agreements can result in legal errors that cost you more than the money you originally received from the investment.

Avoid taking chances with your most precious asset by drafting and executing rock-solid subscription agreements. The article below contains everything you need to know.

What is a Subscription Agreement?

Subscription agreements are legal contracts that allow an investor to buy shares, bonds, or units of a company as a subscriber and shareholder with limited partnerships (LP) or private placement rights. Share subscription agreements are a type of subscription agreement that involves purchasing shares specifically. Subscription agreements, including share subscription agreements, establish terms and conditions around key provisions of the transaction, such as the number of shares and capital contribution requirements. A subscription agreement tracks current disbursements and outstanding shares.

Common types of investors that accept subscription agreements include:

• Friends and Family Investors
• Startup investors
• Angel investors

Startups generally offer subscription agreements in their early investing stages. In addition, many established companies use subscription agreements to raise capital. Overall, subscription agreements can be used by any company seeking investments. A well-written subscription agreement can help your organization stand apart from the crowd while protecting your legal rights with more experienced parties. Doing so can help you avoid disputes in the future.

How Subscription Agreements Work

The subscription agreements that your company utilizes depend upon your needs, industry, company size, and more. They generally contain key details regarding a previously agreed upon return on investment (ROI) by new investors. You can negotiate a percentage or specific dollar amount.

The following steps describe how writing subscription agreements works:

• Step 1. Decide to get your subscription agreements in writing
• Step 2. Ensure your subscription agreements are simple
• Step 3. Identify the agreement principals and investors correctly
• Step 4. Write down all key details of the transaction
• Step 5. Set the consideration obligations in stone
• Step 6. Devise a safeguard in case a party wants to terminate
• Step 7. Determine how you will settle disputes with investors
• Step 8. Keep your negotiations and contracts confidential
• Step 9. Hire securities lawyers to draft your subscription agreements

Some startups and companies try to save a few dollars by using boilerplate contracts online. While this may help you accomplish this objective initially, a poorly written subscription agreement can cost you more in the long run. At a bare minimum, have attorneys review your contracts to ensure that they’re worth more than the paper upon which they’re written.

Key Parts of a Subscription Agreement

In certain cases, startups can use subscription agreements instead of registering with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These safe harbors are allowable under Subscription Agreement Governance, SEC Rule 506(b) and 506(c) pertaining to Regulation D. Registration with the SEC depends on a variety of factors so it is important to consult with legal counsel to follow applicable laws and regulation. Regardless of what the rules say, there are still specific provisions and guidelines that your startup should consider when writing your subscription agreements.

The key parts of a subscription agreement include:

• Outstanding shares
• Payout terms
• Share ownership structure
• Shareholder’s resolution
• Director’s resolution
• Minute books
• Indemnity and warranty
• Non-compete agreement
• Conditions precedent
• Confidentiality clause

Use subscription agreements when offering shares to investors. They can include the key parts as described above as well as incorporate company-specific provisions.

Other Investor Rules

More complicated deals can structure the subscription agreement for prospectus exemptions for accredited investors. Accredited investors follow different financial disclosure requirements. Add a declaration in the contract to specific exemption particulars that apply to each party.

Here is an article that discusses accredited investors.

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Subscription Agreement Sample Language of Important Clauses

Sample 1 – Purchase Clause

Purchase. The Investor shall purchase from the Company the number of Units stated on the signature page of this Agreement for the purchase price (the “Purchase Price”) stated on the signature page of this Agreement (the Shares and Warrants comprising the Units being purchased by the Investor and the Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants being purchased by the Investor, the “Securities”).

Sample 2 – Payment and Escrow Clause

Payment; Escrow. The Investor shall pay the purchase price for the Units being purchased by the Investor by wiring immediately available funds in United States Dollars to Meister Seelig & Fein LLP (the “Escrow Agent”), in accordance with wire instructions provided by the Escrow Agent, those funds to be held with aggregate Offering proceeds in accordance with the terms of an escrow agreement between the Company, each Investor, and the Escrow Agent in the form attached as Exhibit A (the “Escrow Agreement”). If the aggregate Offering proceeds equal or exceed $______ prior to midnight at the end of August 31, 2004 and the Company has received and accepted completed subscriptions therefor from all Investors, (1) the Escrow Agent shall deliver to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement the aggregate Offering proceeds and (2) the Company shall deliver to the Investor the Shares and the Warrants comprising the Units purchased by the Investor. If those aggregate proceeds do not equal or exceed $500,000 prior to midnight at the end of August 31, 2004 or if the Company has not advised Escrow Agent that it has received duly completed subscription documents from all Investors, then the Escrow Agent shall in accordance with the Escrow Agreement reimburse the purchase price to the Investor, this Agreement shall be terminated, and the Company shall not be obligated to sell Units to the to the Investor.

Sample 3 – Acceptable of Subscription Clause

Acceptance of Subscription. The Investor understands that this Agreement is binding in nature upon Investor and the Investor will be obligated to provide the funds set forth in section 2 if this Agreement is accepted. The Company, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to accept or reject this or any other subscription for the Units, in whole or in part, notwithstanding prior receipt by the Investor of notice of acceptance of this subscription. The Company shall have no obligation hereunder until the Company shall execute and deliver to the Investor an executed copy of this Agreement and the Stockholders’ Agreement. If this subscription is rejected in whole, all funds received from the Investor will be returned without interest, penalty, expense or deduction, and this Agreement shall thereafter be of no further force or effect. If this subscription is rejected in part, the funds for the rejected portion of this subscription will be returned without interest, penalty, expense or deduction, and this Agreement will continue in full force and effect to the extent this subscription was accepted.

Reference :

Security Exchange Commission - Edgar Database, EX-3.13 3 dex313.htm FORM OF SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT, Viewed May 12, 2021, < https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1303041/000119312505237549/dex313.htm >.

Subscription Agreements With Private Placements

Subscription agreements with private placements guarantee that your company will engage in the sale of stock for a specific number of shares at an agreed-upon price. You include these details in the private placement memorandum unless prospectus exemptions apply.

How Private Placement Works

If you want to raise cash, your startup will issue regular and private shares of stock, either to the public or through private placement. A private placement is where you sell your stocks to accredited investors.

Make the Offer More Attractive

Ensure that your memorandum is just as airtight as your subscription agreements. The way you structure the deal will give reassurance and priority to your investors so that they can start earning an ROI that pays out to shareholders versus company owners.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Subscription Agreements

Subscription agreements can help both investors and startups achieve greater profitability. However, these transactions are often complex and require agreement principals to carefully consider whether it is right for them. Since subscription shares can be volatile, it is important for investors to do their own due diligence and consult with a financial advisor before making an investment decision.

Advantages of subscription agreements include:

1. Attractive investing option for the market
2. Flexible terms and conditions
3. Transparency among parties
4. No liability limited partnerships
5. Ability to influence a company

Disadvantages of subscription agreements include:

1. Investors could lose money if the deal doesn’t work out
2. Regular securities and preferred shares have deadlines
3. Must uphold legal and fiduciary duties to other parties
4. No liquidity or voting rights for investors
5. Lack of underlying security oversight

Subscription agreements offer valuable opportunities for investors in special situations looking for short-term trading and long-term leverage. From a legal standpoint, they also save both parties time and hassle by establishing the terms and conditions clearly beforehand. Clear, concise agreements are critical when trying to foster lucrative professional relationships.

Get Help With Subscription Agreements

Get help with subscription agreements by working with securities lawyers. When you couple their investment and legal knowledge, you can draft incredibly powerful agreements that protect your company’s legal rights. They can also help you in structuring the deal as well as handle future legal disputes in case they arise.

Here are 10 reasons why hiring securities lawyers makes sense:

1. More clear contract terms and conditions
2. Better understanding of your subscription agreements
3. Someone can help you with a future dispute
4. Experience in structuring subscription agreement deals
5. Strong command of securities and financial laws
6. Experience in your state, county, and city
7. Help you avoid legal mistakes in the future
8. Reassurance knowing a legal professional wrote it
9. Offers negotiation representation when necessary
10. Write other necessary contracts as the need arises

There are several other reasons why hiring securities lawyers make sense. Ultimately, you want to grow your startup into a successful company that provides value to the market. Protect this investment up front by working with an attorney that understands the law.

Attorneys Take Liability

An attorney’s licensure means that he or she is liable for the legal particulars of your contract, not you. Unfortunately, some startups do not realize that agreements work this way until it is too late. Instead of leaving your company exposed to liability, safeguard it with legal representation.

Services Continuity

In addition to liability, your attorney can help you draft and execute indirect or secondary agreements related to the original transaction. These services offer peace of mind to investors and startups alike in knowing that there is continuity from transaction to transaction. Rather than bringing in a different lawyer for each contract, work with one individual across all of your agreements for a more comprehensive result.