Equity crowdfunding poised to explode under SEC proposal
Yesterday the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed sweeping changes to Regulation Crowdfunding (equity crowdfunding or Reg CF) as well as the other private capital-raising exemptions. The proposals come just months after the SEC closed comments on last summer’s Concept Release meant to harmonize, simplify, and streamline the exemptions. As SEC Chairman Jay Clayton stated, “The complexity of the current framework is confusing for many involved in the process, particularly for those smaller companies whose limited resources spent on navigating our overly complex rules are diverted from direct investments in the companies’ growth. These proposals are intended to create a more rational framework that better allows entrepreneurs to access capital while preserving and enhancing important investor protections.”
The proposed changes to Reg CF are particularly significant. Congress enacted this exemption as part of the JOBS Act of 2012 to open the private markets to retail investors. The idea was everyone could invest in hotshot startups but also local businesses that supported communities. It would also allow entrepreneurs traditionally excluded from the angel investor/venture capital circuit a better chance to thrive by democratizing capital raising. Signs showed Reg CF had started to fulfill its potential. According to Crowdfund Capital Advisors, which curates equity crowdfunding data, since 2016 successful Reg CF companies had pumped almost one billion dollars into local economies.
Still, complaints persisted. Many companies thought the $1.07 million raise limit too small. Rules restricted Accredited Investors to relatively tiny amounts despite no such constraints with Reg D. Regulations forbade issuers from discussing and gauging interest in their raise before spending money on legal and accounting services. Retail investors meant messy cap tables that dismayed later investors.
Yesterday’s proposal solves all these issues and sets the stage for a paradigm shift in U.S. capital raising. Among the potential rule changes:
- Raise the overall to limit to $5 million: While not as big as some had hoped, this new ceiling allows for larger institutional players to invest alongside retail investors.
- Remove Accredited Investor limits: Successful equity crowdfunds usually have a mix accredited and nonaccredited investors. Accredited Investors send important signals to each other and the larger market. Removing Reg CF’s arbitrary limit increases the chance for successful raises and partially eliminates the need to “stack” Reg Ds on top of Reg CFs so Accredited Investors can fully participate.
- Allow ‘testing the waters’ communications prior to the raise: The ability to gauge interest in a raise before having to spend money on professional services is critical. Also, equity crowdfunding companies tend to be newer and less experienced with complex securities laws. This gives companies a better idea of their raise metrics, while still protecting investors by preserving liability for misleading statements.
- Allow Special Purpose Vehicles: Allowing issuers to “clean up” their cap table by placing Reg CF issuers into an SPV was perhaps the most consistent Reg CF failing. According to the SEC proposal: “In particular, public feedback has indicated that allowing the use of such vehicles could address concerns associated with managing the potentially large number of direct investors that could result from a crowdfunding offering, as those investments would be held through a single purpose entity.” This also alleviates concerns about Reg CF issuers having to prematurely register as public companies because it has too many retail investors. According to the proposed rules: “A crowdfunding vehicle may constitute a single record holder for purposes of Section 12(g), rather than treating each of the crowdfunding vehicle’s investors as record holders as would be the case if they had invested in the crowdfunding issuer directly.”
These long-sought changes could have lasting effects on the private capital markets. It could truly democratize capital raising, allowing everyone an equal opportunity at potentially lucrative investments. It could encourage entrepreneurs normally off the angel investor/venture capital radar to bypass traditional-funding methods and meld their investors, supporters, and customers. And it could geographically disperse capital investing away from the few hubs where it currently happens.
According to the SEC press release, the comment period will remain open for 60 days following the publication of these proposals in the Federal Register.
