Add Massachusetts to the growing list of states that are sidestepping the unusable federal crowdfunding alternative. “The Crowdfunding Exemption is designed to foster job creation by helping small and early-stage Massachusetts companies find investors and gain greater access to capital with fewer restrictions. The exemption is also intended to provide necessary investor protections by requiring … Read more »
Tag: Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act
Congress Tries to Fix the JOBS Act
I’m still surprised that the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act flew through Congress two years ago. It’s surprising to see bi-partisan support for anything. Unfortunately, the law was flawed and has accomplished little that it set out to accomplish. The Title III Crowdfunding law was wildly hailed as monumentally changing the way small businesses could … Read more »
Accredited Investor Verification
When Congress imposed a lifting of the ban on advertisements for private placements, it also imposed a mandate that the fundraiser “take reasonable steps to verify that purchasers of the securities are accredited investors.” The methods for verification were to be determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC, to its credit, did not … Read more »
Crowdfunding and the Ban on General Solicitation
While entrepreneurs are looking to create crowdfunding portals under Title III of the JOBS Act, small business owners looking to raise capital should keep an eye on the regulatory changes under Title II of the JOBS Act. That may do a better job of opening the spigot for capital than the avalanche of crowdfunding portals … Read more »
Crowdfunded Companies Won’t Be Here Anytime Soon
When the JOBS Act passed last spring, there was a huge surge on the future of crowdfunding. In pursuit of the riches of startup investing, many ignored the already successful world of Kickstarter, Indie Go Go, and others that already successfully fund projects. Those platforms don’t show the investor a pot of gold at the … Read more »
506(c) and General Solicitation and Advertising in Securities Offerings
Section 201(a)(1) of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”) directs the Securities and Exchange Commission to amend Rule 506 of Regulation D. Congress wants to permit general solicitation or general advertising in offerings made under Rule 506, provided that all purchasers of the securities are accredited investors. With one caveat: the issuer … Read more »
The Rebirth of Regulation A Offerings
The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act requires the Securities and Exchange Commission to amend Regulation A, raising the threshold for use of that exemption from $5 million to $50 million. From the numbers I’ve seen, Regulation A was rarely used as a source of raising capital. It seemed strange that it was included in the … Read more »
Comments on Advertising Restrictions for Private Funds
Section 201 of the recently passed Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act will change the advertising limits on private funds and any other company that raises capital through the private placement safe harbor in Rule 506 of Regulation D. That rule has historically prevented the use of general solicitation and advertising in selling private fund interests. … Read more »
SEC Seeks Public Comment Prior to Jobs Act Rulemaking
In an unusual move, the SEC has opened up for comments on the proposed rules under the recently-signed Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, before it has proposed the rules. The SEC is generally required by law to establish a public comment period at the time it proposes rules or rule amendments. However, similar to the … Read more »
Will Private Funds Be Excluded?
Title II of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act directs the SEC to lift the ban on general solicitation and advertising under Rule 506 of Regulation D. That rule creates a safe harbor that deems the covered transactions to not involve any public offering within the meaning of section 4(2) of the Securities Act. However, … Read more »