Capitalization Schedule
A current cap table listing share classes, outstanding options, warrants, and convertible instruments; critical for dilution calculations and accurate transfer mechanics.
A properly drafted SHA clarifies decision-making, limits transfer risk, and preserves value for founders and investors. It reduces litigation risk by spelling out remedies, dispute resolution, and buy‑out mechanics, and complements governing documents like the certificate of incorporation and bylaws.
The SHA is commonly prepared or reviewed by parties directly affected by share ownership and governance.
Different stakeholders rely on a SHA for contract certainty, practical governance rules, and to document exit and financing pathways.
Founders sign to confirm personal ownership, vesting schedules, and reserved board seats. Their signature binds individual share transfers and founder obligations, and any name mismatch with records can complicate enforcement.
Investors sign to accept governance terms, investor protections, and transfer restrictions. Signatures typically trigger funding conditions and establish investor consent rights and liquidation preferences.
A current cap table listing share classes, outstanding options, warrants, and convertible instruments; critical for dilution calculations and accurate transfer mechanics.
Clauses covering right of first refusal, consent requirements, and permitted transfers; prevents unapproved third‑party ownership changes.
Detailed voting thresholds, board composition, appointment rights, and quorum rules to ensure predictable corporate decision making.
Founder and option vesting schedules plus buy‑out formulas for termination, forced sales, or deadlock scenarios.
Drag/tag rights, IPO and sale mechanics, valuation methods, and preemptive rights governing liquidity events and proceeds distribution.
Arbitration or litigation clauses, governing law choice, and remedies to reduce uncertainty and litigation costs.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Signing Order | Define lead signer then investors |
| Authentication | Use email + optional SMS code |
| Required Fields | Cap table attachment and initials |
| Retention | Store PDF with audit trail |
Use an eSignature platform that supports signed PDF export, audit trails, and strong signer authentication.
Ensure the platform preserves a tamper‑evident PDF and an audit log with timestamps, IP addresses, and signer attribution for enforceability and corporate recordkeeping.
| 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 | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes (BAA) | Yes (BAA) | Yes (BAA) | No | No |
Optica migrated signature workflows online to reduce turnaround time.
A small company used digital workflows to execute ownership transfers.
| Criteria | Shareholders Agreement | Operating Agreement |
|---|---|---|
| Document Type | corporation shareholders | llc members |
| Parties Covered | shareholders only | members and managers |
| Governance Focus | voting and transfers | management and distributions |
| State Filing |