Understanding Anti-Dilution

23 February 2023


Understanding Anti-Dilution:

A Critical Element in Term Sheets and Stock Agreements Anti-Dilution is a clause commonly seen in term sheets and provisions in shareholding agreements that protects investors from a decrease in the value of their invested capital. As a startup founder, understanding anti-dilution and its impact is crucial to the success of your business, particularly if you intend to raise capital through crowdfunding or convertible securities.

What is Anti-Dilution?

Anti-dilution is a provision that serves to protect investors' invested equity from losing its value in the event of a "down round." A down round occurs when a company issues shares at a lower valuation than the previous round, causing existing shares' value to reduce. In this event, anti-dilution protection ensures that the investor's equity percentage is maintained by adjusting the issue price and issuing additional shares.

Types of Anti-Dilution

There are two main types of anti-dilution protection commonly used:

  1. Full Ratchet Anti-Dilution Protection

In a full-ratchet mechanism, the conversion price of existing convertible securities is reset to the price per security issued in the down round, retaining the investor's percentage ownership in the company's capital base, regardless of the size of the down round. Full-ratchet changes have a significant impact on a founder's equity and capacity to attract future cash, making them uncommon in most venture capital and private equity transactions.

2. Weighted Average Anti-Dilution Protection

A weighted average method modifies the conversion ratio to compensate for the dilution caused by a down round's implied value of shares. This adjustment uses a mathematical formula that computes the number of shares that would have been issued to new investors if they paid the same price as earlier investors, compared to the number of shares issued to new investors at the lower price.

Anti-Dilution and Startup Founders

For startup founders, anti-dilution protection is crucial in such cases as crowdfunding and convertible securities. Issuing convertible securities to investors can convert into equity over time or through a specific event, such as future funding rounds. Anti-dilution protection can help protect investors by adjusting the conversion price in the event of a down round, something that can significantly impact future fundraising prospects for startups.

In crowdfunding, anti-dilution protection for early investors ensures that their equity percentages are maintained in the event of a down round, a consideration that's essential in making crowdfunding appealing to investors.

Conclusion

As a founder, taking the time to understand anti-dilution and its mechanisms is critical to gaining the trust of investors and ensuring the long-term success of your business. Whether in a term sheet, stock agreement, convertible securities or crowdfunding, anti-dilution protection can go a long way to preserving investors' equity percentages in your venture.


Disclaimer:
The content of this article is for information purpose only and does not constitute advice or a legal opinion and are personal views of the author. It is based upon relevant law and/or facts available at that point of time and prepared with due accuracy & reliability. Readers are requested to check and refer to relevant provisions of statute, latest judicial pronouncements, circulars, clarifications etc before acting on the basis of the above write up. The possibility of other views on the subject matter cannot be ruled out. By the use of the said information, you agree that the Author / Treelife is not responsible or liable in any manner for the authenticity, accuracy, completeness, errors or any kind of omissions in this piece of information for any action taken thereof.

Post Author

- Senior Associate | Legal

Download Startup Guide
A guide with complete lifecycle of startup
Download
close-link

Treelife Ventures Services Private Limited.
All Rights Reserved. © 2022.