# Fundraise with SAFEs

Learn how you can fundraise for your startup by creating, sending, and tracking SAFEs from your Dashboard.

After Atlas incorporates your C corp, you can begin fundraising. With Atlas, you can create a board consent to approve a fundraise, and then send Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFEs) to investors. After signing a SAFE, your investors can transfer funds to your [Stripe Treasury](https://docs.stripe.com/treasury.md) or a bank account of your choice.

Atlas uses the Y Combinator-drafted template for [post-money SAFEs](https://docs.stripe.com/atlas/fundraise-with-safes.md#definitions-post-money-safe) with [valuation caps](https://docs.stripe.com/atlas/fundraise-with-safes.md#definitions-valuation-cap), which is the most commonly used type of SAFE.

## Obtain board consent to fundraise 

Before creating a SAFE, Atlas helps you obtain board consent to authorize fundraising using SAFEs:

1. **Set up fundraising**. Navigate to the **Fundraising** tab in your Atlas Dashboard and select **Begin fundraising**.
1. **Enter the amount you plan to raise with SAFEs**. Enter the maximum amount you plan to raise using SAFEs. Atlas will generate a board consent document that your board can sign to approve fundraising up to this amount. You can’t issue SAFEs using Atlas beyond this amount without working with a lawyer to sign a new board consent. Learn about [how much to fundraise](https://www.ycombinator.com/library/4A-a-guide-to-seed-fundraising#how-much-to-raise).
1. **Obtain board consent**. Select **Next** for Atlas to generate a pre-filled board consent document with your company details and maximum fundraising amount. [Cooley](https://www.cooley.com/), a leading law firm for startups, drafted the Atlas board consent documents.
1. **Confirm board members**. Confirm the list of board members is accurate. Select **Send for signature**, and Atlas emails all board members using DocuSign to collect signatures.
1. **Sign board consent documents**. After all board members have signed, your Dashboard shows that board consent is complete, and you can begin sending SAFEs.

## Send and sign a SAFE 

After obtaining board approval, you’re ready to generate and send SAFEs to your investors:

1. **Create a SAFE**. Click **Create SAFE** on the **Fundraising** tab in your Atlas Dashboard.
1. **Enter investor information**. Enter the investment amount and [valuation cap](https://docs.stripe.com/atlas/fundraise-with-safes.md#definitions-valuation-cap), whether your investor is an individual or institution, and investor details. Because of SEC regulations, law firms recommend confirming investors are “accredited.” Learn more about [accredited investors](https://www.cooleygo.com/can-you-raise-money-from-unaccredited-investors/).
1. **Confirm the signer**. This person is authorized to fundraise on behalf of your company. The CEO is usually the signer.
1. **Send for signatures**. The SAFE is sent to both the investor and company signer using DocuSign. They each receive an email from “Stripe Atlas via DocuSign” asking them to sign electronically. You receive an email from both DocuSign and Atlas when both the investor and the company signer have signed the SAFE.
1. **Track status.** Use the Fundraising table to stay updated on the state of a given SAFE note, which can be Signed, Sent, Funded, Partially Funded, or Voided.

If you aren’t ready to send a SAFE, but want to create a draft, follow the above steps, click close (**x**) in the upper left corner before you **Send for signature**. You can then edit and send this draft from your Dashboard when you’re ready.

## Fund your SAFE 

You need to transfer funds to a financial account or your bank account because the SAFE note is executed by the investor and the company. After you submit an application for Stripe Treasury and receive confirmation, you can use your financial account to receive investment funds.

1. **Automatic funds request**. After both parties sign the SAFE, Atlas sends an email to the investor with a link to an investment details web page. You also receive confirmation that the investment request was sent.
1. **Investor receives transfer details**. The investor copies the routing and account number or wallet address for your financial account, depending on your currency eligibility and your investor’s preference. The investment details page includes the commitment amount, investment name, and current state of the investment.
1. **Investor sends funds**. The investor uses their bank account or custodial wallet to send either the entire investment balance or a partial amount.
1. **Funds available in your balances**. When you receive funds from your investor, you can navigate to the **Balances** to see the updated balance in your financial accounts. You can also see recent transaction history, including any received investment funds.
1. **SAFE is marked as completed**. As soon as you receive the funds, the investment is marked as **Funded** in the Fundraising table.

### Funding methods

You can use one of the following funding methods to fund your SAFE:

| Funding method                                         | Funds available   | Fee   | Where to initiate |
| ------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------- | ----- | ----------------- |
| Add money from your external bank account using ACH    | 1 business day    | Free  | From your bank    |
| Add money from your external bank account using a wire | Same day          | 2 USD | From your bank    |
| Pull funds from your external bank account             | 2–6 business days | Free  | Stripe Dashboard  |
| Add money from your available Stripe payments balance  | Immediately       | Free  | Stripe Dashboard  |

> Stripe doesn’t support SWIFT funding.

You can opt not to use a Stripe Treasury and instead provide investors with your bank details manually. In that case, update the SAFE status to **Funded** in the Fundraising table.

Some Atlas partners support opening bank accounts before your EIN arrives. To get started, go to the [Perks page](https://dashboard.stripe.com/atlas/perks) in your Atlas Dashboard and look for banking partners with the **Pre-EIN** label.

## Definitions 

### Post-money SAFE 

“Post-money” means the SAFE investor’s ownership is calculated as a percentage of the company after their SAFE and all other SAFEs at the time have converted. For example, if you raise a 500,000 USD SAFE on a 5 million USD post-money valuation, your investor owns 10% of the company after conversion.

### Valuation cap 

The valuation cap is the maximum company valuation at which the SAFE converts into equity in your company. If you raise money at a higher valuation than the valuation cap of a prior SAFE, the investor on that SAFE receives shares in your company as if the company were valued at the valuation cap rather than the new valuation. Their ownership is calculated as their investment divided by the valuation cap, rather than their investment divided by the new valuation. This is the most popular type of SAFE.

### Accredited investor 

An accredited investor is someone who meets the SEC definition based on their income, assets, or professional qualifications. See why Cooley recommends that you [make sure your investors are accredited investors](https://www.cooleygo.com/can-you-raise-money-from-unaccredited-investors) on their website.

### Financial account 

With [financial accounts](https://docs.stripe.com/treasury.md), you can securely store funds, open local accounts, convert currencies, send money, manage expenses, and borrow money directly in the Stripe Dashboard.

## See also

- [Fundraising with SAFEs on Atlas FAQ](https://support.stripe.com/questions/fundraising-with-safes-on-atlas-faq)