SAFEs! They’re apparently everywhere. And it is easy to understand why this perception persists. Y Combinator, a leading incubator, invented the original (pre-money) SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) in 2013 to provide an easy, fast and cheap way to fund the dozens of startups comprising a Y/C batch. Their rationale was simple. Companies receiving small amounts of cash should not spend much of that on legal fees or waste time negotiating complex legal terms so early in a startup’s journey.

The ACA holds a simple belief: educated investors are more successful investors. A core pillar of ACA’s mission is to provide our members the tools and resources necessary to successfully navigate the ever-evolving investment space in 2023 and beyond. We are pleased to work with Linqto, one of ACA’s key partners, to provide you with educational resources through its Linqto Learn program at no charge.

Angel Capital Association (ACA) CEO Pat Gouhin and North Coast Ventures Founder and ACA member Clay Rankin were in Washington D.C. from March 27 to March 29, 2023. During that time, they met with relevant legislators and federal agencies to discuss ACA’s concerns regarding Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) regulations and the possibility of expanding the Accredited Investor (AI) definition.