SAFE Agreement
The primary contract describing conversion triggers, valuation cap or discount, and investor representations and warranties as applicable.
A complete Business SAFE Package clarifies conversion mechanics, records investor consideration, and reduces ambiguity at closing while supporting accurate cap table and tax reporting.
Founders, corporate counsel, investors, and financing administrators commonly prepare or receive the Business SAFE Package; each party has distinct responsibilities during review and execution.
Proper role alignment reduces approval cycles and helps ensure enforceability and correct downstream bookkeeping.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Authentication Level | Email + SMS code for investor signers |
| Signing Order | Sequential: company signer then investor |
| Audit Trail | Enable IP, timestamp, and certificate logging |
| Document Retention | Store final PDF/A and audit report for retention period |
Choose an eSignature platform that supports secure authentication, industry integrations, and retention capabilities compatible with legal requirements.
The primary contract describing conversion triggers, valuation cap or discount, and investor representations and warranties as applicable.
Separate signed counterpart showing printed name, title, date, and witness or notary block if required.
Identifies investor legal name, address, taxpayer ID, and any accreditation confirmations or entity formation details.
Clear payment destination and instructions, required for funds reconciliation and bank compliance.
Any term sheets, cap table excerpts, or exhibit documents that materially affect conversion calculation.
Tamper-evident PDF and audit trail showing timestamps, IP addresses, and signer attribution.
A current cap table in spreadsheet or PDF format showing pre-money capitalization and post-money effects of the SAFE on conversion mechanics.
If required, board approval documentation authorizing the issuance and acceptance of SAFE investments and delegation of signing authority.
Tax forms for investor taxpayer identification and to avoid backup withholding; provide accurate TINs to prevent withholding.
Investor self-certifications or supporting documents used when relying on exempt securities offerings.
Parties typically agree on an execution period (e.g., 7–30 days) to complete signatures and funding.
Allow bank clearing time; domestic wire clearance often 1 business day but may vary.
Update the cap table within 30 days of closing to reflect SAFE positions and pro forma calculations.
Provide any necessary payee tax documentation upon request; W-9 supplied upon payer's request per IRS practice.
Store executed package and audit record for the applicable retention period for corporate and tax records.
Parties agree on SAFE terms and exhibits before preparing signature-ready documents.
All authorized signers execute the SAFE and related schedules; audit logs captured.
Company confirms receipt and clears funds prior to reflecting contribution in records.
Company updates cap table and delivers executed copies to investors and counsel.
| Criteria | SAFE | Convertible Note |
|---|---|---|
| Maturity | no maturity | has maturity date |
| Interest | no interest | typically accrues interest |
| Debt Status | equity-first instrument | debt instrument until conversion |
| Complexity | simpler terms | often more negotiated provisions |
| 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 | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Envelope Cap | No envelope cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies by plan | Varies | Varies |
A small real estate startup used an e-signed SAFE to accept seed funds remotely and close faster.
A healthcare services company adopted an electronic SAFE workflow integrated with its ERP to collect investor signatures.