Financial Instrument Valuation Series: SAFEs, Convertible Notes, and Embedded Derivatives

Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFEs), convertible notes, and embedded derivatives are among financial instruments which feature optionality, which can obscure confidence in the expected value of the associated future economic benefits.  Published guidance is limited, and adding to the complexity, some alternative investment transactions have optionality features lurking within, dormant, and not readily apparent.  This presents a wrinkle for practitioners who try to value assets which could morph into something else tomorrow.  Listen to how specialists in this area approach these issues, and read below for key AICPA resources to improve your own valuation analyses. Key Takeaways Applications and limitations of formal valuation guidance How optionality characteristics influence financial instrument design Best practices for valuing instruments with optionality features Approaches for early stage assets lacking underlying valuations Guests: Oksana Westerbeke, Partner, and Jared Hannon, Director, Grant Thornton Host: Howard Mah-Lee, Senior Manager, AICPA Valuation Services Please share your thoughts about the episode - click here to leave us a review   Want to get involved with future FVS conferences, committees, task forces, or the standing ovation program? Send a message to [email protected] RESOURCES FOR FURTHER EXPLORATION If you’re using a podcast app that does not hyperlink to the resources, please visit  https://fvssection.libsyn.com/fvs to access the show notes with direct links.  2024 AICPA & CIMA Forensic & Valuation Services Conference - for purchasesession: Full conference package  Accounting and Valuation guides from AICPA  If you are an AICPA-FVS Section member see below for free access to these guides Valuation of Privately Held Companies Equity Securities Issued as Compensation Valuation of Portfolio Company Investments of Venture Capital and Private Equity Funds and Other Investment Companies Exclusive content available with AICPA FVS Section membership: Click here to join this active community of your FVS peers. You will get 16 credits of complimentary CPE and access to rich technical content Valuation of Privately Held Companies Equity Securities Issued as Compensation Valuation of Portfolio Company Investments of Venture Capital and Private Equity Funds and Other Investment Companies From the FVS Valuation Podcast archives  Valuing Complex Financial Instruments 409a Valuations - What You Need To Know Valuation Considerations in Equity Compensation  LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FOLLOWING AICPA CREDENTIALS: Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV®) – Visit the home page and check out the ABV infographic Certified in the Valuation of Financial Instruments (CVFI®) – Visit the home page and check out the CVFI infographic Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF®) - Visit the home page and check out the CFF infographic This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments are welcomed at [email protected]