The Distinction Between Equity Crowdfunding and Rule 506(c) When Raising Capital

The JOBS Act’s new rules permitting general solicitation and advertising in Rule 506 private placements became effective on September 23, and there is still some confusion about the difference between equity crowdfunding and general solicitation and advertising in Rule 506(c) offerings also known as accredited crowdfunding. Rule 506 is the most commonly used exemption for raising capital in connection with going public transactions that involve filing a registration statement on Form S-1.

While the public, and perhaps even some companies, may think that accredited  crowdfunding under Rule 506 and equity crowdfunding as the same thing, for the SEC they are not.  Crowdfunding is generally defined as raising small amounts of money from many people, rather than large amounts from a few.  In recent years, it’s often been used to provide funding for disaster relief, political campaigns, and other “causes” of interest to many people.  It is a concept and a technique.  The SEC doesn’t regulate concepts,  but it does have jurisdiction over companies that choose to apply those concepts, and to those who participate in their application.

General Solicitation and Rule 506(c) – Accredited Crowdfunding

Until now, companies have been forbidden to use general solicitation and advertising to promote their securities.  In less than two weeks, that will be permitted in conjunction with offerings of unregistered securities conducted pursuant to Regulation D.  Companies are not required to advertise, and if that is their choice, they may use the “old” Rule 506, which does not allow solicitation of any kind.  If they wish to advertise, they must use Rule 506(c).  In a Rule 506 placement, there may be an unlimited number of accredited investors, and up to 35 unaccredited investors.  The new Rule 506(c) permits advertising, but excludes non-accredited investors from participation.  In addition, issuers will be expected to make an effort to verify whether their accredited investors qualify for that status.  The SEC has suggested several methods they may use to accomplish that.

Equity Crowdfunding

The SEC has yet to implement new rules that will permit equity crowdfunding in Regulation D offerings.  Pressed for a date, spokespersons will only say “soon.”

The JOBS Act provides that “crowdfunding portals” or qualified broker-dealers may be used to raise money.  The companies receiving the money may not advertise on their own behalf; the issuer can only direct interested parties to the portal being used.  The portal operators’ job is only to match investors with issuers.  They cannot offer investment advice, solicit sales, or handle investors’ money.  They must register with the SEC and FINRA as investment portals.

If a company takes the equity crowdfunding route, it may raise no more than $1 million every 12 months from that offering or any other offering.  In other words, if an issuer uses crowdfunding, it may not float any other kind of offering to raise additional funds until a year has passed.

There will also be strict limits on how much an investor whose net worth is less than $100,000 can spend, which will be the greater of $2000 or 5% of his income.  If he’s worth more than that, there is still a maximum investment size of $100,000.

The company will have to provide additional information to the SEC, depending on the amount of money to be raised.  If its goal is, for example, $500,000 or more, audited financials will be required.

For further information about this securities law blog post, please contact Brenda Hamilton, Securities Attorney at 101 Plaza Real S, Suite 202 N, Boca Raton, Florida, (561) 416-8956, by email at [email protected] or visit www.securitieslawyer101.com.   This securities law blog post is provided as a general informational service to clients and friends of Hamilton & Associates Law Group and should not be construed as, and does not constitute, legal and compliance advice on any specific matter, nor does this message create an attorney-client relationship. Please note that the prior results discussed herein do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Hamilton & Associates | Securities Lawyers
Brenda Hamilton, Securities Attorney
101 Plaza Real South, Suite 202 North
Boca Raton, Florida 33432
Telephone: (561) 416-8956
Facsimile: (561) 416-2855
www.SecuritiesLawyer101.com