regulation a+ programs

Regulation A+ is an exemption program provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) providing for the sale of securities to investors (accredited and non-accredited) while also allowing the same public promotion of the offering and investment opportunity as would be provided for in a fully public registered offering. Regulation A+ provides a more streamlined and cost effective method to execute a public offering to raise capital, sell to any investor whether they be accredited or non-accredited, and still maintain status as a private company that is not subject to the same reporting requirements of a fully public company post offering. Further, Regulation A+ issued securities are freely trading from the outset – unlike securities sold under Regulation D which are subject to the Rule 144 transfer restrictions.

Regulation A+ is divided into two offering programs, referred to as Tier 1 ($20 million max) and Tier 2 ($75 million max).

Tier 1 Regulation A+

  • Tier 1 allows for sales of up to $20 million in any 12-month period.
  • State Interaction: It is important to note that Tier 1 does not preempt state law, thus due to the costs involved in obtaining State qualification the Tier 1 program is really only applicable for offerings that are limited to one but no more than a small handful of states.
  • Offering Circular: Submission of Form 1A via the EDGAR system for review, comments, and qualification
  • Financials: Tier 1 does not require the company to include audited financial statements and does not have any ongoing SEC reporting requirements. Note, most States will require audited financials so the Issuer should expect an audit requirement even though not required at the Federal level.
  • For offerings up to $20 million, an issuer can elect to file under either Tier 1 or Tier 2.

Tier 2 Regulation A+

  • Tier 2 allows for the sale of up to $75 million in a 12-month period.
  • State Interaction: Tier 2 preempts state blue sky law.
  • Offering Circular: A company may elect to either provide the disclosure using Form 1-A or the disclosure in a Form S-1. Note – for issuers that want to file a Form 8-A and register under the Exchange Act – the Form S-1 format is a precondition to that filing.
  • Financials: Tier 2 offerings require audited financials. For new special purpose entities (such as a newly formed LLC for a real estate fund) – only the issuers balance sheet would need to be audited.
  • Reporting – Tier 2 issuers are required to submit certain annual (Form 1-K) and semi-annual (Form 1-SA) reports. If the issuer has fewer than 300 shareholders of record, they may file to withdraw from these reporting requirements after the first annual report. If the company meets certain asset and number-of-shareholders tests (assets exceeding $10,000,000 and a class of equity securities held of record by either 2,000 persons or 500 persons who are not accredited), and has a public float of more than $75M (held by non-affiliates) or annual revenue greater than $50M annually, the company will enter a two-year transition period to begin complying with the reporting requirements of fully public companies.

Equity Crowdfunding Growth

$ billion

Raised in 2020

$ billion

Raised in 2021

%

YOY Increase in Funds

Equity Crowdfunding statistics from Rialto Markets

Issuer Requirements

Both Tier I and Tier 2 Regulation A+ offerings contain certain minimum basic requirements, including issuer eligibility provisions and disclosure requirements.

Regulation A+ is available to companies organized and operating in the United States and Canada. A company will be considered to have its “principal place of business” in the U.S. or Canada for purposes of determination of Regulation A+ eligibility if its officers, partners, or managers primarily direct, control and coordinate the company’s activities from the U.S. or Canada, even if the actual operations are located outside those countries.

The following issuers are NOT eligible for a Regulation A+ offering:

  • Companies who currently subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act;
  • Investment companies registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, including BDC’s. However, a company that operates investments that are exempt from the registration requirements under the 1940 Act would qualify, such as REIT’s and companies that transact in certain loans such as small business loans, student loans, auto loans, and personal loans.
  • Blank check companies, which are companies that have no specific business plan or purpose or whose business plan and purpose is to engage in a merger or acquisition with an unidentified target; however, shell companies are not prohibited, unless such shell company is also a blank check company. A shell company is a company that has no or nominal operations; and either no or nominal assets, assets consisting of cash and cash equivalents; or assets consisting of any amount of cash and cash equivalents and nominal other assets. Accordingly, a start-up business or minimally operating business may utilize Regulation A+;
  • Issuers seeking to offer and sell asset-backed securities or fractional undivided interests directly in oil, gas or other mineral rights (note Issuers in those industries can use Regulation A+ if they are selling an interest in an LLC or LP that engages in such activities);
  • Issuers that have been subject to any order of the SEC under Exchange Act Section 12(j) denying, suspending or revoking registration, entered within the past five years. Accordingly, a company that is deregistered for delinquent reporting would not be eligible for Regulation A+;
  • Issuers that became subject to Regulation A+ reporting requirements, such as through a Tier 2 offering, and did not file the required ongoing reports during the preceding two years; and
  • Issuers that are disqualified under the Rule 262 “bad actor” provisions.

Contact Regulation D Resources

Why Execute an Offering Under Regulation A+ - Important Aspects to Consider

Interested in learning more about our Reg A+ services?

Call us at 720-586-8610