# Y Combinator SAFE

> Standard open templates for early-stage startup financing agreements

Y Combinator's SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) is an industry-standard legal template created to simplify early-stage startup fundraising. It allows founders and angel investors to close investment checks on rolling terms without negotiating complex priced-round agreements immediately. This lowers legal expenses and shortens the time needed to secure initial capital.

Website: https://ycombinator.com/

## What it is for

- Raise initial angel or seed capital without immediate share pricing
- Close investment checks on a rolling basis without lead investor delays
- Reduce startup legal legal costs before reaching Series A rounds
- Standardize investment terms across multiple early-stage angel backers

## Features

- Post-money SAFE legal agreement templates
- Valuation cap and discount rate options
- MFN (Most Favored Nation) provision variations
- Open-access document templates downloadable in standard formats
- Founder guidance explaining dilution and conversion mechanics

## Pricing

Free to download and use

## Details

- Type: Website
- Category: [Business & Money](https://xiry.app/topics/business-money.md)
- Topic: [Fundraising](https://xiry.app/topics/business-money/fundraising.md)
- Open source: no
- Platforms: Web
- For: Early-stage startup founders and angel investors
- Alternative to: Convertible Note, 500 Startups KISS
- Tags: startups, fundraising, legal, safe, investing, venture capital

## Why it was saved

- [@yupyork, 10 October 2024](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA9OsB9pPLg/): Enables founders to close early angel and seed money quickly on rolling notes without negotiating full priced-round terms or paying high legal costs.

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Updated 3 October 2026. Page: https://xiry.app/resources/y-combinator-safe

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