Create a bespoke document in minutes, or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership of your information
Subscription Agreement
"I need a subscription agreement for a software service with a monthly fee of £50, including a 14-day free trial, automatic renewal, and a 30-day cancellation notice period. The agreement should also cover data protection compliance and limit liability to £500."
What is a Subscription Agreement?
A Subscription Agreement sets out the terms when investors buy shares or other securities in a company. It's commonly used for private equity deals, startup funding rounds, and other investment transactions across England and Wales, spelling out exactly how much money is being invested and what the investor gets in return.
The agreement covers crucial details like the price per share, number of shares being purchased, and any special rights attached to those shares. It also includes important investor protections, payment mechanics, and completion conditions - making it a vital document for both companies raising capital and investors putting money in. Under UK company law, it helps ensure the investment process follows proper legal requirements and protects everyone involved.
When should you use a Subscription Agreement?
Use a Subscription Agreement when your company needs to raise capital by selling shares or other securities to investors. This is essential for private placements, seed funding rounds, and any situation where you're bringing new shareholders into your business. The agreement becomes particularly important when dealing with sophisticated investors or private equity firms in the UK market.
Companies typically need this agreement during growth phases, restructuring, or when launching new ventures that require external funding. It provides a clear framework for the investment terms, protecting both the company and investors through legally binding commitments. For regulated industries or complex transactions, having this agreement in place helps ensure compliance with UK financial regulations and Companies House requirements.
What are the different types of Subscription Agreement?
- Basic Investment Subscription Agreement: Used for straightforward share purchases, typically in smaller private companies or startups
- Convertible Note Subscription Agreement: Combines debt and equity features, popular with early-stage companies seeking flexible funding
- Series Funding Subscription Agreement: More complex version for institutional investors, including detailed warranties and investor protections
- Employee Share Scheme Subscription: Tailored for company share schemes, often including vesting periods and performance conditions
- Regulatory Compliant Subscription Agreement: Enhanced version meeting FCA requirements for regulated investments or financial services firms
Who should typically use a Subscription Agreement?
- Companies and Startups: The entities issuing shares or securities, responsible for preparing and executing the Subscription Agreement with investors
- Investors: Individual or institutional buyers providing capital in exchange for shares, including angel investors, venture capitalists, and private equity firms
- Corporate Lawyers: Draft and review agreements, ensure compliance with UK company law and FCA regulations
- Company Directors: Authorize and sign the agreement on behalf of the issuing company, often providing warranties about the business
- Financial Advisors: Guide both parties through investment terms, valuation, and transaction structure
How do you write a Subscription Agreement?
- Company Details: Gather current shareholding structure, company registration number, and registered office address
- Investment Terms: Define share price, number of shares, class of shares, and total investment amount
- Investor Information: Collect full legal names, addresses, and registration details for corporate investors
- Board Approval: Secure necessary board resolutions authorizing the share issue
- Existing Agreements: Review shareholders' agreement and articles for any restrictions on share transfers
- Completion Mechanics: Plan payment process, share certificate issuance, and Companies House filing requirements
What should be included in a Subscription Agreement?
- Parties and Definitions: Full legal names, addresses, and defined terms used throughout the agreement
- Subscription Details: Share class, quantity, price per share, and total consideration
- Payment Terms: Clear payment mechanics, timing, and bank account details
- Warranties: Company warranties about its status and investor warranties about their eligibility
- Completion Conditions: Prerequisites for closing the investment
- Share Rights: Specific rights attached to the shares being issued
- Governing Law: Explicit statement of English law jurisdiction
- Execution Blocks: Proper signature sections for all parties
What's the difference between a Subscription Agreement and a Subordination Agreement?
A Subscription Agreement differs significantly from a Bond Purchase Agreement, though both deal with investment transactions. While a Subscription Agreement handles the purchase of company shares or equity securities, a Bond Purchase Agreement focuses on debt securities. Understanding these differences is crucial for structuring the right type of investment.
- Purpose: Subscription Agreements create new shareholdings and ownership rights, while Bond Purchase Agreements establish creditor relationships with fixed repayment terms
- Rights Granted: Share subscribers gain voting rights and profit participation; bondholders receive interest payments and principal repayment
- Duration: Share subscriptions are permanent until shares are sold or transferred; bonds have fixed maturity dates
- Risk Profile: Shareholders take on business risk with potential upside, while bondholders have priority in repayment but limited returns
- Regulatory Requirements: Different FCA and Companies House filing requirements apply to equity versus debt instruments
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
³Ò±ð²Ô¾±±ð’s Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; ³Ò±ð²Ô¾±±ð’s AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a £1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.