UNDERSTANDING RSPA'S FOR STARTUP FOUNDERS

Equity ownership in startups involves navigating legal complexities, and one essential tool is the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement (RSPA). This agreement governs the purchase, transfer, and restrictions on the sale of restricted stock, making it crucial for founders. In this blog post, we'll explore the intricacies of RSAs, highlighting their provisions and benefits for founders in startup environments.

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Purpose of the RSPA

A Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement (RSPA) is a legally binding contract between a startup and its founders outlining terms for purchasing and owning restricted stock. The RSPA serves multiple crucial purposes in the context of startups. It aligns the interests of founders with the long-term success of the company by linking stock ownership to specific conditions and vesting schedules. Vesting schedules and the concept of a "cliff" (discussed further, below) encourage commitment, motivating founders to contribute time, skills, and effort to drive growth. Retention is crucial for startups, and a well prepared RSPA will include provisions that incentivize each founder's continued involvement and commitment. An RSPA also protects the company's interests by imposing restrictions on the sale and transfer of restricted stock, safeguarding the company's operations and ownership structure. Finally, an RSPA ensures the assignment and protection of intellectual property rights, allowing the startup to secure its proprietary assets and maximize their value.

What is Restricted Stock?

Restricted stock refers to company shares issued to founders, subject to specific restrictions and conditions. These limitations restrict the transfer or sale of the stock until certain criteria are met. By granting restricted stock, startups align founders' interests with long-term success, ensuring their commitment to the company's growth.

Key Provisions of an RSPA

Purchase Price and Shares

This provision defines the purchase price founders pay for acquiring restricted stock. The purchase price a founder may pay for acquiring shares under an RSPA can vary depending on various factors, including the stage of the startup, its valuation, the level of funding, and negotiations between the founders and the company. Typically, however, founders purchase their shares at a nominal or low price to reflect the early stage and potential risks associated with the startup. It is not uncommon for the purchase price to be set at the par value of the stock. This section should also ensure that the purchaser-founder's shares that are covered by this Agreement include all other securities that the founder receives as a result or or in connection with the shares being purchased and other property to which founder-purchaser is entitled by reason of her or his ownership of the purchased shares.

Assignment of IP

The RSPA addresses the assignment of IP rights related to the startup's business. This safeguards proprietary interests, minimizing disputes and complications. Often, an RSPA will contemplate that the RSPA is being entered into simultaneously with other agreements related to the post-formation organization and capitalization of the new venture. The RSPA can include as a condition to founder's purchase of the shares that that founder and the company each enter a separate assignment agreement, such as a Proprietary Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement (PIIA).An RSPA might include its own robust assignment language, but in the startup world, PIIA's are commonly used in the suite of documents for new venture. 

Limitations on Transfer

This section includes provisions limiting the transfer of restricted stock, such as:

1. Repurchase Option and Vesting—Founders agree to vesting schedules, determining when they gain ownership of shares. Vesting usually occurs over a four-year period with a one-year "cliff." Accelerated vesting may apply in specific circumstances.
2. Company's Right of First Refusal (ROFR)—The ROFR grants the company the option to purchase founder's shares before selling them to a third party. It maintains control over ownership and safeguards the company's vision and direction.
3. Company's Right of Redemption on Involuntary Transfer—In the event of involuntary transfers like death or disability, the company may repurchase the restricted stock. This ensures smooth transitions in unforeseen circumstances.
4. Termination of Company's Rights under the RSPA—This provision clarifies when the company's rights under the RSPA may terminate, providing transparency and a clear path for future ownership or management changes.
5. Lock-up Agreement—A lock-up agreement restricts the founder's ability to sell shares for a specified period, ensuring stability during critical periods.

Purchaser Representations

Founders make representations and warranties regarding eligibility, compliance with securities laws, existing obligations, their familiarity with the tax implications, and that they have had the chance to seek independent professional advise before entering into the RSPA with the company. This promotes transparency and legal compliance.

Restrictive Legends and Stop Transfer Orders

Requirements for placing restrictive legends on share certificates notify potential buyers of stock restrictions. Stop transfer orders prevent unauthorized transfers, protecting the company's ownership structure.

83(b) Election Representation

The Founder represents that she or he understand the implications of Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. The founder may make what is called an 83(b) election with the IRS within 30 days after purchasing her or his restricted stock. This can significantly optimize the founder's tax positions by taxing the fair market value of the stock at the time of purchase in lieu of taxing any gain she or he may realize after selling it in the future. While an 83(b) election can offer substantial tax savings, it has very strictly applied rules Founders making an 83(b) election do so in their individual capacity, and so legal counsel to the company cannot advise them on their decision. Each founder should speak either to her or his own lawyer and/or her or his independent CPA. As this is a tax election, seeking advice from a CPA would be prudent. Whether the startup's CPA can advise then founders individually is a decision for the CPA to make. Click here to read about how to make an 83(b) election.

Special Defined Terms

Like other business contracts, a well-prepared RSPA should includes definitions for key defined terms used throughout the agreement. A written agreement will include special definitions for purposes of that agreement in order to provide clarity and consistency in the interpretation of the contract. Defined terms are specific words or phrases within the contract that are given a particular meaning, often different from their ordinary or legal dictionary definitions. By including a section that defines these terms, the contract ensures that all parties have a shared understanding of the intended meaning of key terms used throughout the document. In the context of an RSPA, defined terms should include definitions for Continuous Service Status, Disability, Employee, Consultant, and others that may be applicable to the specific RSPA.

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous provisions cover dispute resolution, governing law, amendments, and waivers, providing a framework for conflict resolution. Business contracts often include a "Miscellaneous" section to address important aspects that may not fit neatly into other specific sections of the contract. This section serves as a catch-all provision to cover various miscellaneous matters and ensure that no critical issues are overlooked. But do not mistake this general provision as unimportant or as only being "standard" or "boilerplate." Sometimes a dispute can hinge on one or more miscellaneous provisions.

TAKEAWAY

Restricted Stock Purchase Agreements are crucial legal tools for regulating ownership and transfer of restricted stock among startup founders. Understanding the key provisions outlined in an RSPA is essential to protect founders' interests and align them with the company's long-term success. RSAs can motivate founders, safeguard company interests, and set the stage for sustainable growth.