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Term Sheet for Convertible Promissory Note

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Convertible Promissory Note by Corporation

THIS CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS PROMISSORY NOTE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED, TRANSFERRED, OR ASSIGNED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT AND STATUTES, UNLESS OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR TRANSFERRED PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THOSE LAWS. THE COMPANY SHALL BE ENTITLED TO REQUIRE AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

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FOR VALUE RECEIVED, , a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of , with its principal office located at , referred to herein as the Company, promises to pay to , of , or any authorized holder of this Note (the Holder), the principal sum of $, or so much of such principal sum as may be outstanding, plus any interest calculated in accordance with Section 2 below, on the Maturity Date (as defined below) in accordance with the provisions of this Promissory Note (this Note). This Note is one of a series of Notes being issued pursuant to the terms of that certain Convertible Note Purchase Agreement, dated , by and among the Company and the original Holder of this Note and the other parties named in such agreement (the Purchase Agreement). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Purchase Agreement.

This Note is subject to the following terms and conditions:

1. Maturity Date

The entire principal amount of this Note and all accrued but unpaid interest thereon shall be due and payable in full on (the Maturity Date).

2. Interest

Simple interest shall accrue on the unpaid principal amount of this Note at a fluctuating annual rate of interest equal to the LIBOR Rate, as in effect on the date of this Note and as the same may adjust monthly, plus %; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Note, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the rate of interest under this Note shall be the LIBOR Rate plus % (the Default Rate). The interest rate shall automatically adjust on the first business day of each month in the event there has been any change in the LIBOR Rate. As used in this Note, the LIBOR Rate means the London Interbank Offered Rates for one month as published in the Money Rates column of The Wall Street Journal on the first business day of each month (or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to publish a rate so designated, any similar successor rate as the Company shall in good faith designate). Interest shall be computed on the actual number of days elapsed and a 365-day year, and accrued interest shall be payable upon the Maturity Date of this Note.

3. Payment

Payments on this Note will be made at the address of the Holder on the Company's books in legal tender of the United States of America. All payments on this Note shall be applied: (i) first to the payment of any costs of collection that may be due under this Note; (ii) then to the payment of accrued interest (if any); and (iii) the balance shall be applied to principal. This Note may be prepaid without penalty by the Company at any time upon days prior notice to Holder.

4. Conversions

A. General

The unpaid principal balance of this Note and any accrued interest may be converted into shares of the Company's Common Stock (Shares) in accordance with this Section 4; provided, however, that the Holder acknowledges and agrees that under no circumstances will the Company be required to issue Shares exceeding % of the Company's outstanding Common Stock including the aggregate number of shares converted or exercised in connection with the Purchase Agreement. Upon conversion, the number of Shares that shall be issued shall equal the number derived by dividing: (a) the unpaid principal balance and accrued interest, if any; by (b) the applicable conversion price set forth below.

B. Optional Conversion

At any time after the date of this Note, the Holder may, in such Holder's discretion, elect to convert all of the unpaid principal balance of this Note and all or none of the accrued interest into Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions in this Note.

C. Automatic Conversion

If the Company files a registration or offering statement (the Registration Statement) with the Securities and Exchange Commission to facilitate a public offering of its securities under the Securities Act that is underwritten and through which the Company raises gross cash proceeds of at least $ (a Qualified Offering) and should the managing underwriter of such offering require, all principal and accrued interest under this Note will be automatically converted into Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions in this Note; provided, however, that the Holder may elect to be paid in cash for all accrued interest. Such automatic conversion shall be effective upon the closing of the Qualified Offering.

D. Conversion Price

The conversion price shall mean an amount equal to the average closing bid price of the Common Stock for the consecutive trading days ending on the trading day prior to the date of this Note, or $ per share, subject to adjustment as set forth in this Paragraph D (the Conversion Price). If, at any time, the Company subdivides its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision will be proportionately reduced, and conversely, in case the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company will be combined into a smaller number of shares, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such combination will be proportionately increased. All calculations under this Paragraph D will be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one-hundredth of a share, as the case may be.

E. Conversion Procedure

1. Optional Conversion

To exercise the right to convert this Note into Common Stock, the Holder shall: (i) provide the Company with a -day advance written notice of conversion specifying the date and amount of such conversion and the name in which the Shares shall be issued (if the name is other than that of Holder); (ii) surrender this Note to the Company; (iii) furnish any appropriate endorsements and documents reasonably requested by the Company; and (iv) pay any documentary, stamp, transfer or similar tax if required.

2. Automatic Conversion

If this Note is to be converted automatically pursuant to Paragraph above, written notice must be delivered to the Holder at the address last shown on the records of the Company at least days prior to the closing of the Qualified Offering: (i) notifying the Holder of the conversion; (ii) specifying the principal amount of the Note converted, and the amount of accrued and unpaid interest; and (iii) calling upon the Holder to: (A) return an acknowledgment to the Company within days after receipt of the notice specifying whether the Holder elects to receive Shares or cash for the accrued interest; and (B) surrender this Note to the Company in exchange for Shares and cash, if any, in the manner and at the place designated by the Company.

3. Delivery of Shares and Cash

As promptly as practicable after the Company's receipt of the written notice of conversion or acknowledgement of automatic conversion, the Company shall deliver to the Holder certificates, whether paper or electronic, representing the number of fully paid and non-assessable shares into which this Note, or such part thereof, may be converted, and cash, if any, for the accrued interest due and payable. Thereupon, the rights of the Holder as a noteholder shall cease and this Note shall be deemed satisfied and discharged.

F. Fractional Shares

In lieu of issuing any fractional shares upon conversion, the Company instead shall deliver an amount of cash equal to such fraction multiplied by the Conversion Price then in effect.

5. Security Interest

In order to secure the payment and performance of the obligations under this Note and to provide the Holder with a preference upon liquidation of the Company, the Company by this Note grants to the Holders a security interest (the Security Interest) in and to the following property (collectively, the Collateral): All assets of the Company, including but not limited to any and all furniture, fixtures, machinery, equipment, inventory, accounts, vehicles, prepaid insurance, supplies, patents, patent rights, copyrights, trademarks, trade names, goodwill, royalty rights, franchise rights, chattel paper, license rights, documents, instruments, general intangibles, payment intangibles, investment property and any and all other goods, now owned or later acquired by the Company and wherever located, together with all substitutions and replacements for and products and proceeds of any of the foregoing property and, in the case of all tangible Collateral, together with: (i) all accessories, attachments, parts, equipment, accessions and repairs now or later attached or affixed to or used in connection with any such goods; and (ii) all warehouse receipts, bills of lading and other documents of title now or later covering such goods.

6. Subordination

Notwithstanding Section 5 above, the Company agrees, and each Holder of this Note by acceptance of this Note agrees, that the payment of the principal of and the interest on this Note shall be subordinate in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner set forth below in this Note, to the prior payment of Senior Indebtedness (as defined below) of the Company outstanding on the date of this Note or incurred in the future. For purposes of this Note, Senior Indebtedness shall mean indebtedness of the Company: (i) for money borrowed by the Company from banks, finance companies, trust companies, pension trusts, insurance companies or other financial institutions in the business of commercial finance; (ii) in connection with the issuance of tax exempt notes or debentures; and (iii) in connection with the acquisition of capital equipment. Furthermore, each Holder of this Note agrees to do or cause to be done any and all further acts and things and to execute and deliver any and all further documents and instruments as the Company or holders of the Senior Indebtedness deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the full intent and purpose of this Section 6.

7. Registration Rights

Company grants to the Holder the following registration rights pertaining to the Shares:

A. Demand Rights

1. At any time within days after the Maturity Date, Holders holding at least fifty-one percent (51%) (a Majority-in-Interest) of the aggregate Shares then outstanding as a result of conversion pursuant to Section 4, may request that the Company file a registration statement for the resale of the Shares (a Requested Registration Statement). Upon receipt of such request, the Company shall promptly deliver notice of such request to all Holders holding Shares, who shall then have days to notify the Company in writing of their desire to participate in such registration. If the request for registration contemplates an underwritten public offering, the Company shall state such in the written notice.

2. Company will use its reasonable commercial efforts to expeditiously effect (but in any event no later than days after such request) the Requested Registration Statement in such registration under the Securities Act, but only to the extent provided for in this Note; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to effect a registration pursuant to a request under this Section 7 more than one time for all Holders as a group. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Note, no request may be made under this Section 7 within months after the effective date of a registration statement filed by the Company covering a firm commitment underwritten public offering.

3. If a Requested Registration Statement involves an underwritten public offering, and the managing underwriter of such offering determines in good faith and advises the Holders in writing that the number of securities sought to be offered must be limited due to market conditions, then the number of securities to be included in such underwritten public offering shall be reduced to a number deemed satisfactory by such managing underwriter. The shares to be excluded shall be determined on a pro rata basis based upon the aggregate number of Shares requested for inclusion in such registration by each Holder.

B. Piggy-Back Rights

1. Whenever the Company shall propose to file a registration statement under the Securities Act on a form which permits the inclusion of the Shares for resale (a Qualifying Registration Statement), including a registration on Form S-8, if applicable, it will give written notice to the Holder at least calendar days prior to the anticipated filing thereof, specifying the approximate date on which the Company proposes to file the Qualifying Registration Statement and the intended method of distribution in connection therewith, and advising the Holder of his or her right to have any or all of the Shares then held by him or her included among the securities to be covered by such registration statement (the Piggy-Back Rights). The Holder shall have the right to include the Shares in one or more Qualifying Registration Statement until all of the Shares have been sold, or until all of the Shares are eligible for sale under Rule 144 promulgated by the SEC or any similar or successor rule, whichever shall first occur.

2. Subject to Subparagraphs B-4 and B-5 below, in the event that the Holder elects to use the Piggy-Back Rights, the Company shall include in the Qualifying Registration Statement the number of the Shares identified by the Holder in a written request (the Piggy-Back Request) given to the Company not later than calendar days prior to the proposed filing date of the Qualifying Registration Statement. The Shares identified in the Piggy-Back Request shall be included in the Qualifying Registration Statement on the same terms and conditions as the other shares of Common Stock included in the Qualifying Registration Statement.

3. Notwithstanding anything in this Note to the contrary, the Holder shall not have Piggy-Back Rights with respect to: (i) a registration statement on Form S-4 or any successor forms thereto; (ii) a registration statement filed in connection with an exchange offer or an offering of securities solely to existing stockholders or employees of the Company; or (iii) a registration statement filed in connection with an offering by the Company of securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock.

4. If the lead managing underwriter selected by the Company for an underwritten offering for which Piggy-Back Rights are requested determines that marketing or other factors require a limitation on the number of shares of Common Stock to be offered and sold in such offering, then: (i) such underwriter shall provide written notice thereof to each of the Company and the Holder; and (ii) there shall be included in the offering, first, all shares of Common Stock proposed by the Company to be sold for its account (or such lesser amount as shall equal the maximum number determined by the lead managing underwriter as aforesaid) and, second, only that number of Shares requested to be included in the Qualifying Registration Statement by the Holder that such lead managing underwriter reasonably and in good faith believes will not substantially interfere with (including, but not limited to, adversely affect the pricing of) the offering of all the shares of Common Stock that the Company desires to sell for its own account.

5. Nothing contained in this Section 7 shall create any liability on the part of the Company to the Holder if the Company for any reason should decide not to file a Qualifying Registration Statement for which Piggy-Back Rights are available or to withdraw such Qualifying Registration Statement subsequent to its filing, regardless of any action whatsoever that the Holder may have taken, whether as a result of the issuance by the Company of any notice under this Note or otherwise.

C. Registration Expenses

Except as set forth below, the Company shall bear all expenses of a Requested Registration Statement or Qualifying Registration Statement. The Holder will be individually responsible for payment of his, her or its own legal fees, underwriting fees and brokerage discounts, commissions and other sales expenses incident to any registration under this Note.

D. Information by Holders

Each Holder of Shares shall furnish to the Company such information regarding such Holder and the distribution proposed by such Holder as the Company may reasonably request in writing and as shall be reasonably required in connection with any registration, qualification, or compliance referred to in this Note.

8. Restrictions on Transfer

The Holder may not transfer this Note until it has delivered to the Company a written opinion of counsel, satisfactory to the Company, that the proposed transfer may be lawfully made without registration under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities law and has received the prior written consent of the Company.

9. Governing Law

This Note shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of .

10. Payment Date

In case any payment date is not a business day, then payment may be made on the next succeeding business day with the same force and effect as if made on such original date and no interest will accrue for the period after such date.

11. Construction

If any provision of this Note is prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition without invalidating the remainder of such provision or this Note.

12. Amendments

This Note may not be and will not be deemed or construed to have been modified, amended, rescinded, canceled, or waived, in whole or in part, except by written instruments signed by the Company and the Holder.

13. Cancellation

After all the principal and accrued interest at any time owed on this Note have been paid in full or this Note has been converted, this Note shall be surrendered to the Company for cancellation and the Security Interest in this Note shall be terminated.

Company has caused this Note to be duly executed as of the day and year first set forth above.

By:

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What the Term Sheet for Convertible Promissory Note Is

The Term Sheet for Convertible Promissory Note is a concise, non‑binding summary of the principal terms under which a lender advances a convertible promissory note to a company. It typically outlines loan amount, interest rate, maturity date, conversion mechanics (discount, valuation cap, conversion price), prepayment rights, conversion triggers, security or subordination, and basic representations. The term sheet serves as a roadmap for definitive documentation and investor diligence, aligning expectations before attorneys draft the full note and related security or equity documents.

Why a Clear Term Sheet Matters

A clear term sheet reduces negotiation time, documents core economic and conversion terms, and helps coordinate legal counsel and investor diligence. It narrows open issues for the convertible promissory note, lowering drafting costs and enabling faster agreement on convertible debt economics.

Why a Clear Term Sheet Matters

Who Typically Prepares and Reviews This Term Sheet

Founders, angel or venture investors, and attorneys typically prepare or review the term sheet before drafting the formal note.

  • Early-stage founders seeking bridge financing and clarity on dilution and conversion mechanics.
  • Angel, seed, and venture investors documenting economic terms and protections for convertible debt.
  • Corporate counsel or transaction attorneys performing diligence and translating term sheet into definitive agreements.

Primary Roles Involved

Founder

Founder or CEO: signs as the borrower and negotiates conversion economics, valuation cap, and maturity. Should ensure the term sheet reflects dilution impact, existing equity structure, and prepayment or default provisions before acceptance.

Investor

Investor or lender: proposes loan amount, interest, discount, and cap; requests protections such as pro rata rights, information covenants, or security. Reviews enforceability and conversion triggers prior to funding to mitigate repayment and ownership risks.

Essential Data Elements to Include

Borrower Name: Full legal entity or individual name
Lender Name: Full legal name of investor
Loan Amount: Principal dollar amount (USD)
Interest Rate: Annual percentage rate or fixed rate
Maturity Date: Maturity date in MM/DD/YYYY format
Conversion Terms: Discount, valuation cap, conversion price

Risks of Errors or Omissions

Misstated Amount: May breach investor expectations
Wrong Signer: May render signature unenforceable
Late Funding: Loss of agreed terms
Tax Treatment: Possible adverse tax reporting
Investor Dispute: Negotiation breakdown or litigation risk
Invalid Conversion: Equity allocation disputes

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

  • Leaving conversion mechanics vague — undefined discount or valuation cap can create major disagreements at conversion and complicate cap table calculations.
  • Failing to specify conversion triggers or automatic conversion events may lead to disputes about when debt converts to equity.
  • Omitting representations and warranties or investor protections like pro rata or information rights increases legal risk during later financing rounds.
  • Using ambiguous governing law or jurisdiction provisions can complicate enforcement and venue selection in the event of disputes.

Core Components of a Professional Term Sheet

Core components of a professional term sheet make negotiations efficient and provide a clear basis for drafting the convertible promissory note and related documents.

Loan Amount

Specify the principal amount, currency, and any tranche schedule. Include maximum funding and conditions for additional advances to avoid confusion during closing and cap table modeling.

Interest Rate

State the interest rate, accrual method, capitalization rules, payment schedule, and whether accrued interest will convert to equity; specify if unpaid interest compounds or is waived on conversion.

Maturity and Prepayment

Define maturity date, extension options, and prepayment rights, including notice procedures. Specify fees for early repayment, and state how prepayment affects conversion mechanics and investor remedies.

Conversion Mechanics

Detail conversion triggers (qualified financing, change of control, maturity), discount rate, valuation cap, conversion formula, conversion timing, anti‑dilution protection, and rounding or share allocation rules.

Protective Terms

List investor protections such as board observation or director nomination, information rights, affirmative and negative covenants, transfer restrictions, and consent rights on major corporate actions.

Closing Conditions

Include basic representations, closing conditions, legal counsel review, and any required approvals or waivers; note whether the term sheet is non‑binding except for specified clauses.

Step-by-Step: From Draft to Signed Term Sheet

Follow these steps to complete and circulate a practical term sheet before preparing definitive note documents.

  • 01
    Draft Key Terms: List amount, rate, maturity, conversion mechanics.
  • 02
    Review With Counsel: Confirm enforceability, representations, and required approvals.
  • 03
    Circulate to Investors: Share for comment and mark negotiated items.
  • 04
    Finalize Terms: Agree on economics and prepare definitive documents.

How to Configure an Online Signing Workflow

Configure your online review and signing workflow to collect signatures, set authentication, and capture audit trails.

Workflow field and configuration settings Set field type, signer order, authentication, and reminders
Signing order and parallel options Define signer sequence and parallel signing options.
Signer authentication methods and strength levels Email, SMS code, or knowledge-based verification.
Field types and validation rules Signature, date, initials, and numeric validation for amounts.
Audit trail and document history Capture IP, timestamps, actions, and exported certificate.

Typical Electronic Execution Flow

Typical routing and signature steps for executing and recording a term sheet electronically in a secure workflow.

  • Upload Document: Sender uploads the draft term sheet to the signing platform.
  • Place Fields: Add signature, date, and initial fields where required.
  • Set Authentication: Choose email, SMS, or stronger ID verification.
  • Send and Track: Dispatch invites and monitor completion via audit records.

Platform Capabilities to Verify

Ensure the signing platform supports secure eSignatures, audit trails, and appropriate authentication for convertible note agreements.

  • Document Formats: PDF and DOCX support
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, and KBA options
  • Integrations: CRM and cloud storage connectors

Key Dates to Track

Key dates to track include effective date, funding deadline, maturity, and dates tied to qualified financing or conversion events.

Effective Date:

Enter as MM/DD/YYYY; determines start of obligations.

Funding Deadline:

Specify funding window and any cure periods.

Maturity Date:

Use MM/DD/YYYY; affects repayment and conversion timing.

Qualified Financing:

Define minimum financing size to trigger conversion.

Investor Response:

Set deadline for investor acceptance and countersignature.

Milestone Timeline from Term Sheet to Conversion

Milestones from term sheet to conversion capture key negotiation and closing checkpoints for the convertible promissory note.

01

Term Sheet Signed

Parties agree on principal terms and sign the non‑binding summary.

02

Due Diligence Complete

Investors finish legal and financial review prior to funding.

03

Funding/Closing

Borrower receives funds; note executed and delivered.

04

Conversion Event

Debt converts under agreed mechanics after trigger conditions.

Real-World Examples of Term Sheet Use

Real-world examples show how term sheets streamline negotiation and reduce legal drafting time for convertible notes.

Optica Ventures

Optica Ventures used a standardized term sheet to align investor expectations before finalizing the convertible note.

  • Outcome: faster closings and fewer drafts.
  • The team reported reduced back-and-forth with counsel, enabling timely funding and clearer cap table projections; and allowed investor counsel to concentrate on protective terms and closing conditions.

Tech Data

Tech Data incorporated a term sheet into internal processes to speed approvals for convertible debt financing.

  • Result: improved internal turnaround times.
  • Standardized templates reduced review cycles and enabled accurate tracking of outstanding convertible instruments; finance teams reconciled expected dilution earlier in the process, improving financial forecasting which assisted board reporting and investor communications.

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison for Executing Term Sheets

Comparison of common eSignature features and starting prices relevant to executing term sheets and convertible promissory notes.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes (Business Premium) Yes Yes Yes Yes
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes (BAA available) Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Frequently Asked Questions About Term Sheets and eSigning

Answers to common questions about enforceability, execution, retention, and required fields when using a term sheet for a convertible promissory note.


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