San Jose Business Lawyers Blog
There are a number of ways to fund a startup. We’ve all heard about loans, grants and crowdfunding but new rules from the SEC will make it easier for entrepreneurs to raise capital. In this post we’re going to look at changes to “Regulation D” and what that means for startups.
Understanding Regulation D
Regulation D is part of the Securities Act of 1933. Section 506 specifically deals with the solicitation of private offerings. In the past, the SEC essentially banned all forms of advertisement for private investment. The revised Regulation D does away with most of the restrictions. It’s now possible for a company to publicly solicit funds for a private venture.
The New Regulation D
The game has changed but that doesn’t mean there aren’t rules. Only accredited investors can utilize the changes to Regulation D. These are people with $1 million in net worth or who make $200 thousand dollars a year in individual income. There is also a strict process for weeding out “bad actors.” Generally, these are people who have committed some kind of financial crime or who have been disciplined by the SEC.
What it Means
The change to Regulation D is great news for startups. Increased access means greater opportunity to spread the word about a business and its product. A startup can now use every tool at its disposal to try and raise money. Another interesting aspect of Regulation D offerings is that there isn’t a limit to the amount of capital that can be raised. Crowdfunding is a popular way to support startups. The key difference is that the total dollar amount in this model is capped at $1 million.
There is plenty more to learn about Regulation D and its cousin Regulation A. To find out more, contact the professionals at Structure Law Group.
About Structure Law Group
Structure Law Group is a San Jose based firm that specializes in business issues including business formations, commercial contracts and litigation.