SEC PROPOSES EXEMPTION FOR FINDERS AS IT SEEKS TO ASSIST SMALL BUSINESSES IN NEED OF CAPITAL
SEC PROPOSES EXEMPTION FOR FINDERS AS IT SEEKS TO ASSIST SMALL BUSINESSES IN NEED OF CAPITAL
Oct 09, 2020
By JD Alois Crowdfundinsider.com
Today at an open meeting, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed an update to rules pertaining to “Finders” – individuals or firms that help smaller businesses find investors. The potential change will subject these individuals or firms to reduced regulation while providing more clear cut rules in an area of securities law that has long been hampered by a lack of clarity.
The Commission voted to propose a new limited, conditional exemption from broker registration requirements for Finders who assist issuers with raising capital in private markets from accredited investors.
The current rules typically harm individuals that are less affluent and lack a network of wealthy individuals that may be inclined to invest in a small business.
If adopted, the exemption would permit natural persons to engage in certain limited activities involving accredited investors without registering with the Commission as brokers. Crowdfunding platforms are part of the proposal but only in conjunction with a broker-dealer.
The SEC has proposed two classes of finders: Tier I Finders and Tier II Finders. These Tiers would be subject to different conditions depending on certain activities.
Proposed Exemption from Broker-Dealer Registration for Finders
The Commission is proposing to grant a conditional exemption from the broker registration requirements of Section 15(a) of the Exchange Act to permit natural persons to engage in certain limited capital raising activities involving accredited investors.
The proposed exemption would create two classes of exempt Finders, Tier I Finders and Tier II Finders, that would be subject to conditions tailored to the scope of their respective activities. Tier I and Tier II Finders would both be permitted to accept transaction-based compensation under the terms of the proposed exemption.
Tier I Finders
A Tier I Finder would be limited to providing contact information of potential investors in connection with only a single capital raising transaction by a single issuer in a 12 month period. A Tier I Finder could not have any contact with a potential investor about the issuer.
Tier II Finders
A Tier II Finder could solicit investors on behalf of an issuer, but the solicitation-related activities would be limited to: (i) identifying, screening, and contacting potential investors; (ii) distributing issuer offering materials to investors; (iii) discussing issuer information included in any offering materials, provided that the Tier II Finder does not provide advice as to the valuation or advisability of the investment; and (iv) arranging or participating in meetings with the issuer and investor.
Conditions for Both Tier I and Tier II Finders
Both Tier I and Tier II Finders would be subject to certain conditions. The proposed exemption for Tier I and Tier II Finders would be available only where:
A Finder could not rely on this proposed exemption to engage in broker activity beyond the scope of the proposed exemption. Among other things, a Finder could not rely on this proposed exemption to facilitate a registered offering, a resale of securities, or the sale of securities to investors that are not accredited investors or that the Finder does not have a reasonable belief are accredited investors.
Further, a Finder could not (i) be involved in structuring the transaction or negotiating the terms of the offering; (ii) handle customer funds or securities or bind the issuer or investor; (iii) participate in the preparation of any sales materials; (iv) perform any independent analysis of the sale; (v) engage in any “due diligence” activities; (vi) assist or provide financing for such purchases; or (vii) provide advice as to the valuation or financial advisability of the investment.
Additional Conditions for Tier II Finders
Because Tier II Finders could participate in a wider range of activity and have the potential to engage in more offerings with issuers and investors, the Commission has proposed additional, heightened requirements. A Tier II Finder wishing to rely on the proposed exemption would need to satisfy certain disclosure requirements and other conditions. These disclosure requirements, which include a requirement that the Tier II Finder provide appropriate disclosures of the Tier II Finder’s role and compensation, must be made prior to or at the time of the solicitation. Further, the Tier II Finder must obtain from the investor, prior to or at the time of any investment in the issuer’s securities, a dated written acknowledgment of receipt of the required disclosures.
See proposed overview: https://www.crowdfundinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/SEC-overview-chart-of-finders.pdf
About Capital Engine Powering Online Capital Markets®
Capital Engine® is a financial technology company, providing investment professionals and advisors (Broker Dealers, Family Offices, Wealth Managers, Incubators, Accelerators, RIAs, GP/LPs and real estate funds) with customized SaaS solutions to power private label capital and alternative investment platforms, with a strong focus on investor management services.
Capital Engine's software helps leverage the opportunity to better originate and showcase a diverse selection of private investment deals and offer these to investors (HNW, UHNW and Family Office) i.e. a deal’s potential viability can be better assessed, market appetite determined and transaction promptly closed.
Strategic Partnership Model
Our business model is to partner with industry experts in real estate, venture capital, healthcare, renewable energy, cannabis, impact funding and crypto projects, in setting up investment platforms, online marketplaces and trading exchanges using our software.
Online Marketplace
Our online marketplace is filling a massive gap in the US market in funding private capital markets and alternative investments: Reg D 506 (c) and Reg S (International) based real estate, venture capital, healthcare, renewable energy, social impact and crypto projects, with UK and South Africa platforms following soon.
Click for more info or to request an online demo
Today at an open meeting, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed an update to rules pertaining to “Finders” – individuals or firms that help smaller businesses find investors. The potential change will subject these individuals or firms to reduced regulation while providing more clear cut rules in an area of securities law that has long been hampered by a lack of clarity.
The Commission voted to propose a new limited, conditional exemption from broker registration requirements for Finders who assist issuers with raising capital in private markets from accredited investors.
The current rules typically harm individuals that are less affluent and lack a network of wealthy individuals that may be inclined to invest in a small business.
If adopted, the exemption would permit natural persons to engage in certain limited activities involving accredited investors without registering with the Commission as brokers. Crowdfunding platforms are part of the proposal but only in conjunction with a broker-dealer.
The SEC has proposed two classes of finders: Tier I Finders and Tier II Finders. These Tiers would be subject to different conditions depending on certain activities.
Proposed Exemption from Broker-Dealer Registration for Finders
The Commission is proposing to grant a conditional exemption from the broker registration requirements of Section 15(a) of the Exchange Act to permit natural persons to engage in certain limited capital raising activities involving accredited investors.
The proposed exemption would create two classes of exempt Finders, Tier I Finders and Tier II Finders, that would be subject to conditions tailored to the scope of their respective activities. Tier I and Tier II Finders would both be permitted to accept transaction-based compensation under the terms of the proposed exemption.
Tier I Finders
A Tier I Finder would be limited to providing contact information of potential investors in connection with only a single capital raising transaction by a single issuer in a 12 month period. A Tier I Finder could not have any contact with a potential investor about the issuer.
Tier II Finders
A Tier II Finder could solicit investors on behalf of an issuer, but the solicitation-related activities would be limited to: (i) identifying, screening, and contacting potential investors; (ii) distributing issuer offering materials to investors; (iii) discussing issuer information included in any offering materials, provided that the Tier II Finder does not provide advice as to the valuation or advisability of the investment; and (iv) arranging or participating in meetings with the issuer and investor.
Conditions for Both Tier I and Tier II Finders
Both Tier I and Tier II Finders would be subject to certain conditions. The proposed exemption for Tier I and Tier II Finders would be available only where:
- the issuer is not required to file reports under Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act;
- the issuer is seeking to conduct the securities offering in reliance on an applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act;
- the Finder does not engage in general solicitation;
- the potential investor is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D or the Finder has a reasonable belief that the potential investor is an “accredited investor”;
- the Finder provides services pursuant to a written agreement with the issuer that includes a description of the services provided and associated compensation;
- the Finder is not an associated person of a broker-dealer; and
- the Finder is not subject to statutory disqualification, as that term is defined in Section 3(a)(39) of the Exchange Act, at the time of his or her participation.
A Finder could not rely on this proposed exemption to engage in broker activity beyond the scope of the proposed exemption. Among other things, a Finder could not rely on this proposed exemption to facilitate a registered offering, a resale of securities, or the sale of securities to investors that are not accredited investors or that the Finder does not have a reasonable belief are accredited investors.
Further, a Finder could not (i) be involved in structuring the transaction or negotiating the terms of the offering; (ii) handle customer funds or securities or bind the issuer or investor; (iii) participate in the preparation of any sales materials; (iv) perform any independent analysis of the sale; (v) engage in any “due diligence” activities; (vi) assist or provide financing for such purchases; or (vii) provide advice as to the valuation or financial advisability of the investment.
Additional Conditions for Tier II Finders
Because Tier II Finders could participate in a wider range of activity and have the potential to engage in more offerings with issuers and investors, the Commission has proposed additional, heightened requirements. A Tier II Finder wishing to rely on the proposed exemption would need to satisfy certain disclosure requirements and other conditions. These disclosure requirements, which include a requirement that the Tier II Finder provide appropriate disclosures of the Tier II Finder’s role and compensation, must be made prior to or at the time of the solicitation. Further, the Tier II Finder must obtain from the investor, prior to or at the time of any investment in the issuer’s securities, a dated written acknowledgment of receipt of the required disclosures.
See proposed overview: https://www.crowdfundinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/SEC-overview-chart-of-finders.pdf
About Capital Engine Powering Online Capital Markets®
Capital Engine® is a financial technology company, providing investment professionals and advisors (Broker Dealers, Family Offices, Wealth Managers, Incubators, Accelerators, RIAs, GP/LPs and real estate funds) with customized SaaS solutions to power private label capital and alternative investment platforms, with a strong focus on investor management services.
Capital Engine's software helps leverage the opportunity to better originate and showcase a diverse selection of private investment deals and offer these to investors (HNW, UHNW and Family Office) i.e. a deal’s potential viability can be better assessed, market appetite determined and transaction promptly closed.
Strategic Partnership Model
Our business model is to partner with industry experts in real estate, venture capital, healthcare, renewable energy, cannabis, impact funding and crypto projects, in setting up investment platforms, online marketplaces and trading exchanges using our software.
Online Marketplace
Our online marketplace is filling a massive gap in the US market in funding private capital markets and alternative investments: Reg D 506 (c) and Reg S (International) based real estate, venture capital, healthcare, renewable energy, social impact and crypto projects, with UK and South Africa platforms following soon.
Click for more info or to request an online demo
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