6 Del. Admin. Code § 200-E-503 - Accredited Investor Exemption

Any offer or sale of a security by an issuer in a transaction that meets the following requirements of this Rule is exempted from the securities registration requirements of the Act.

(a) Sales of securities shall be made only to persons who are or the issuer reasonably believes are "accredited investors" as that term is defined in SEC Rule 501(a) of Regulation D, 17 C.F.R. § 230.501(a).

(b) The exemption is not available to an issuer that is in the development stage that either has no specific business plan or purpose or has indicated that its business plan is to engage in a merger or acquisition with an unidentified company or companies, or other entity or person.

(c) The issuer reasonably believes that all purchasers are purchasing for investment and not with the view to or for sale in connection with a distribution of the security. Any resale of a security sold in reliance on this exemption within 12 months of sale shall be presumed to be with a view to distribution and not for investment, except a resale pursuant to a registration statement effective under the securities registration requirements of the Act or to an accredited investor pursuant to another applicable exemption under the Act.

(d) Disqualification.

(1) This exemption is not available to an issuer if the issuer, any of the issuer's predecessors, any affiliated issuer, any of the issuer's directors, officers, general partners, beneficial owners of ten percent or more of any class of its equity securities, any of the issuer's promoters presently connected with the issuer in any capacity, any underwriter of the securities to be offered, or any partner, director or officer of such underwriter:

(A) within the last ten years, has filed a registration statement that is the subject of a currently effective registration stop order entered by any state securities administrator or the SEC;

(B) within the last ten years, has been convicted of any criminal offense in connection with the offer, purchase or sale of any security, or involving fraud or deceit;

(C) is currently subject to any order, judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, entered within the last ten years, temporarily, preliminarily or permanently restraining or enjoining such party from engaging in or continuing to engage in any conduct or practice involving fraud or deceit in connection with the purchase or sale of any security.

(e) General Announcement. (1) A general announcement of the proposed offering may be made by any means.

(2) The general announcement shall include only the following information, unless additional information is specifically permitted by the Director:

(A) The name, address and telephone number of the issuer of the securities; (B) The name, a brief description and price (if known) of any security to be issued; (C) A brief description of the business of the issuer in 25 words or less; (D) The type, number and aggregate amount of securities being offered; (E) The name, address and telephone number of the person to contact for additional information; and (F) A statement that: (1) sales will only be made to accredited investors;

(2) no money or other consideration is being solicited or will be accepted by way of this general announcement; and

(3) the securities have not been registered with or approved by any state securities agency or the SEC and are being offered and sold pursuant to an exemption from registration.

(f) The issuer, in connection with an offer, may provide information in addition to the general announcement under paragraph (e), if such information:

(1) is delivered through an electronic database that is restricted to persons who have been prequalified as accredited investors; or

(2) is delivered after the issuer reasonably believes that the prospective purchaser is an accredited investor.

(g) No telephone solicitation shall be permitted unless prior to placing the call, the issuer reasonably believes that the prospective purchaser to be solicited is an accredited investor.

(h) Dissemination of the general announcement of the proposed offering to persons who are not accredited investors shall not disqualify the issuer from claiming the exemption under this rule.

(i) The issuer must file or cause to be filed with the Director a notice of exemption in the form prescribed by the Director and a copy of any general announcement, within 15 days after the first sale in this state.

Notes

Del. Admin. Code § 200-E-503