One of the exemptions from the federal securities laws regarding the registration of offerings of securities comes in Rule 505.  Rule 505 allows a company to raise an aggregate amount of $5,000,000 over a twelve-month period.  Similar to Rule 504, Rule 505 does not permit an issuer to use general advertising or general solicitation to market its offering.  A Rule 505 offering is available to an unlimited number of accredited investors and up to 35 non-accredited investors.  Unlike a Rule 504 offering, nonaccredited investors must receive a substantive disclosure document that includes financial statements, although even if only accredited investors are involved, care must be taken such that the anti-fraud requirements are met and that there are no false statements, no misleading statements, and no omissions that might make what you have disclosed misleading.   Purchasers must receive restricted securities, meaning that the securities may not be sold without either registration or an exemption.

As always, make sure you get the advice of a securities attorney with private placement experience.   There are lots of complicated regulatory requirements to comply with, both on the state and federal level.   A private placement attorney can help you navigate the regulations and to draft your private placement memorandum.

Related posts:

1. Private Placement – A Brief Overview of Rule 506
2. Private Placements – A Brief Overview of Rule 504
3. Private Placements – A Brief Overview of Raising Capital with a PPM
4. What is an Accredited Investor?