

Let us see how the clause is structured in the sample term sheet The holders of preferred shares always have preference to common equity shareholders with respect to the proceeds from liquidation events. Liquidation preference determines the methodology by which the existing shareholders of the company are compensated during such liquidation events. During any such event, the company is expected to receive lump sum consideration in the form of cash or other asset classes. Liquidation preference (Given in term 2.11 of the sample term sheet ) – As this term indicates, this preference in applicable in case of company liquidation, merger, sale, buy-out or due to bankruptcy proceedings.

This clause can be included in the term sheet accordingly.ī. The result will be that the investor shall receive shares equal in value to the dividend declared by the Company. As a budding start-up with liquidity concerns, if your investor is negotiating for a dividend, you can always present the option of distributing dividend in the form of the latest / earlier Series of shares at the original purchase price / latest purchase price. You would have realized that the most favorable dividend option for entrepreneur is paying non-cumulative dividend on Non-convertible preferred shares & the most investor-friendly option is having Participating preferred shares with cumulative dividend rights for the investor(s).įurthermore, one could also have the option of receiving dividend in the form of shares or cash. In case of non-cumulative dividends, the unpaid dividends are not carried forward and the company is under no obligation to pay the unpaid dividends to the preferred shareholders in subsequent years.Ĭombining the type of preferred shares there could be 6 scenarios of dividend distributionĥ. In case of cumulative dividends, unpaid dividends are carried forward to next year and when the dividends are paid by the company, the total cumulative dividends of the preferred investors are released first and the remaining portion is distributed among common equity shareholders on a pro-rat basis. Dividends can be cumulative or non-cumulative. This can be a huge factor in company cash flow and the company needs to carefully consider what the appropriate dividend percentage is.

Dividend rights / right to dividends: - Rights to receive preferential dividends as compared to common shareholders. Generally, preferred shares have the following financial rights (Some of them are mentioned in the sample term sheet - ) :-Ī. This article is in continuation to the term sheet series.
