On October 7, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) voted to propose an exemption for finders from broker-dealer registration requirements to raise money from accredited investors. The proposal provides clarity regarding when finders may receive transaction-based compensation. Finders are natural persons who are not registered broker-dealers seeking to raise investment capital for companies in exchange for a success fee.
The exemption proposal creates two classes of finders who may receive success fees: Tier I Finders and Tier II Finders. Tier I Finders may provide contact information of potential investors to companies raising money in connection with a single capital raising transaction by a single company in a 12-month period. Tier I Finders may not have any contact with a potential investor about the company raising money.
Tier II Finders may solicit investors on behalf of a company raising money, distribute offering materials to investors, discuss company information included in offering materials, and participate in meetings with the company and investors. To qualify as a Tier II Finder, a finder would be required to provide potential investors with specified disclosures.
Under the exemption proposal, finders may only raise money from accredited investors and may not engage in a general solicitation. In addition, finders would be prohibited from engaging in the following activities: transaction structuring, participating in offering negotiations, sales material preparation, due diligence activities, or advising on the valuation or financial advisability of the investment.
There will be a 30-day comment period for the exemption proposal following publication in the Federal Register.
For more information about this proposed exemption, SEC regulations, or U.S. or cross-border private M&A transactions or private placements, contact Jed Weiner at jweiner@meimark.com.
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The contents of this legal update are for information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion.