Investment agreements

Barbashyn Law Firm supports investment agreements at the Angel, Seed, and Series A stages. We help balance founders’ and investors’ interests, turning complex negotiations into clear agreements.

As part of raising investment, we take on

Drafting the Term Sheet and share purchase / investment agreements

Regulation of corporate governance and equity distribution

Legal protection of IP and minimization of the risk of losing control

How we work on your deal

strategy and audit

We study the business model and choose the optimal financing instrument (Equity, SAFE, Convertible Note)

Drafting documents

We prepare a package of documents: from the Term Sheet to the Shareholders’ Agreement, which formalize agreements and protect your rights.

Negotiations

We support communication with the investor, agree on key terms, and defend your interests “at the table.”

Closing

We ensure final signing, notarization, and state registration of changes. The deal becomes a reality.

SAFE: what it is and why startups choose it

SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) is a simple agreement for a future share in the company. It does not grant the investor equity immediately but sets the terms under which they will receive it later (after the next investment round or another specified event).

Contains minimal terms. Therefore, it can realistically be agreed in 1–2 meetings

SAFE allows the company valuation to be deferred until there is more data, users, or revenue.

It is cheaper and simpler than an equity deal. Fewer legal actions, no transfer of shares, no registration procedures.

Founders retain full control until conversion. In most cases, the investor only has advisory input and recommendations.

In the venture ecosystem, SAFE is standard practice. Investors are willing to invest through it because it is standardized and predictable.

Client reviews

The Barbashyn Law Firm team is our reliable legal partner in the field of investment projects. Our cooperation is built on a synergy of expertise: while we focus on identifying and recommending promising investment opportunities, our colleagues provide legal support in document preparation and choosing the optimal corporate structure.

iPlan

Oksana Balaban, Financial Advisor

During negotiations with potential investors, the Barbashyn Law Firm team helped us work through the Term Sheet as the key document from which the structuring of the investment deal began. The lawyers helped us understand the terms of the document, clarify important details, and establish the legal basis for the дальнейший process of attracting investment into the group of companies.

Clearly / Rozmova

Dmytro Kovalenko, Co-Founder

The Barbashyn Law Firm legal team helped us understand the key aspects of the investment agreement during the fundraising process. They clearly explained the structure of the document, highlighted potential risks, and provided clear answers to our questions during negotiations. Thanks to their support, we were able to confidently navigate the investment process and secure funding for the further development of the company.

Paintit

Juliy Cherevko, CEO

Raising investment through SAFE?

Planning a funding round and want to formalize agreements with an investor? We will help quickly prepare and agree on the documents.

Fill out the form, and our lawyers will contact you to уточнення details.

How does SAFE protect founders from losing control of the company?

Do you assist in negotiations with foreign venture funds?

What exactly is included in full legal support of the deal “turnkey”?

Why is it important to have a Shareholders Agreement (SHA) together with an investment agreement?

Which investment instrument to choose: Equity, SAFE, or Convertible Note?

How does SAFE protect founders from losing control of the company?

SAFE allows you to receive investment without an immediate transfer of equity. The investor receives the right to a share only in the future (upon a conversion event). Until then, founders retain 100% control over management, and the investor usually has only advisory input.

Do you assist in negotiations with foreign venture funds?

Yes, we fully support communication with investors “at the negotiation table.” Our task is to agree on the key terms of the Term Sheet and defend your interests so that legal nuances do not become an obstacle to closing the deal. We speak the same language as investors thanks to a deep understanding of the IT industry.

What exactly is included in full legal support of the deal “turnkey”?

We take on the entire process from strategy to closing: - Drafting the Term Sheet, share purchase agreements, and the Shareholders Agreement. - Regulation of corporate governance and protection of intellectual property. - Ensuring final signing and state registration of changes.

Why is it important to have a Shareholders Agreement (SHA) together with an investment agreement?

The investment agreement records the fact of transferring funds, while the SHA defines the rules of coexistence between founders and investors after the deal. It regulates exit, dividend distribution, voting procedures, and protects against deadlocks. Without a clear SHA, the risk of corporate conflicts significantly increases.

Which investment instrument to choose: Equity, SAFE, or Convertible Note?

The choice depends on the stage of the project and how quickly you need the funds. SAFE is ideal for early stages (Angel/Seed) as it is faster and cheaper to implement. An equity deal is more often used at the Series A stage, when the company valuation is already clearly defined. We will help you choose the optimal instrument during a strategic audit.