---
title: SPZ | Funding Startup Center
description: Understand startup fundraising, from SAFEs and convertible notes to seed rounds, due diligence, and legal strategies for closing with confidence.
image: https://spzlegal.com/hubfs/Blog%20Header%20Images.png
---

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# Funding

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Pre-seed and seed fundraising can be a challenge, especially for first-time founders. What’s the difference between convertible notes and preferred stock? What’s a SAFE? Our attorneys have worked on hundreds of early-stage investments and can help you with structuring and negotiating your fundraise, from term sheet to closing.

[Funding Services](https://spzlegal.com/business-law-services/funding)

## Funding Basics

### [![](https://spzlegal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/17.png?width=800&height=273&name=17.png) What’s the Difference Between Debt & Equity?](https://spzlegal.com/blog/funding/debt-vs-equity)

### [![](https://spzlegal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SPZ%20Legal%20LP%20Hero%20Background%20(20).jpg?width=800&height=273&name=SPZ%20Legal%20LP%20Hero%20Background%20(20).jpg) Understanding Venture Capital and Angel Investments](https://spzlegal.com/blog/startup-guide-venture-capital)

### [![](https://spzlegal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/photography/towfiqu-barbhuiya-joqWSI9u_XM-unsplash.jpg?width=800&height=273&name=towfiqu-barbhuiya-joqWSI9u_XM-unsplash.jpg) Venture Debt Guide: Legal Considerations for Founders](https://spzlegal.com/blog/funding/unveiling-the-power-of-venture-debt-a-legal-guide-for-startup-founders)

### [![](https://spzlegal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Seed%20Investment%20Preparation.jpg?width=800&height=273&name=Seed%20Investment%20Preparation.jpg) How to Prepare for Seed Investment](https://spzlegal.com/blog/preparing-for-seed-investment)

### [![](https://spzlegal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/startup%20funding%20due%20diligence.jpg?width=800&height=273&name=startup%20funding%20due%20diligence.jpg) VC Legal Due Diligence: Questions Investors Will Ask](https://spzlegal.com/blog/funding/legal-due-diligence-process)

### [![](https://spzlegal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SPZ%20Legal%20Startup%20Law%20Firm.jpg?width=800&height=273&name=SPZ%20Legal%20Startup%20Law%20Firm.jpg) Startup Guide: Demystifying Pre-seed and Seed Funding](https://spzlegal.com/funding-guide)

### [![](https://spzlegal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/22.png?width=800&height=273&name=22.png) How Do I Raise Funds in Compliance with California Securities Laws?](https://spzlegal.com/blog/funding/common-california-securities-exemptions-startups)

### [![](https://spzlegal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Copy%20of%20Blog%20Header%20Images%20(3).png?width=800&height=273&name=Copy%20of%20Blog%20Header%20Images%20(3).png) QSBS Tax Benefits: Qualify & Save Up to $10M in Gains](https://spzlegal.com/blog/qsbs-tax-benefits-a-guide-for-startups-and-investors)

### [![](https://spzlegal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Startup%20101%20Pre-seed%20and%20Seed%20Funding.jpg?width=800&height=273&name=Startup%20101%20Pre-seed%20and%20Seed%20Funding.jpg) Pre-Seed and Seed Investment](https://spzlegal.com/blog/startup-101-preseed-investment)

### [![](https://spzlegal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Side%20Letters%20in%20Preseed%20Funding%20for%20Startups.jpg?width=800&height=273&name=Side%20Letters%20in%20Preseed%20Funding%20for%20Startups.jpg) Negotiating Side Letters in Pre-Seed and Seed Rounds](https://spzlegal.com/blog/side-letters-in-pre-seed-funding)

### [![](https://spzlegal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/federal-securities-exemption.jpg?width=800&height=273&name=federal-securities-exemption.jpg) How Do I Raise Funds in Compliance with Federal Securities Laws?](https://spzlegal.com/blog/funding/common-federal-securities-exemptions)

## Investment Vehicles

### [![](https://spzlegal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/convertible%20notes%20and%20safes.png?width=800&height=273&name=convertible%20notes%20and%20safes.png) Terms When Negotiating Convertible Notes](https://spzlegal.com/blog/funding/important-terms-convertible-note-convertible-equity)

### [![](https://spzlegal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SAFEs%20%26%20Convertible%20Notes%20for%20Pre-seed%20Funding.jpg?width=800&height=273&name=SAFEs%20%26%20Convertible%20Notes%20for%20Pre-seed%20Funding.jpg) Key Terms to Know: SAFEs & Convertible Notes](https://spzlegal.com/blog/safes-convertible-notes-pre-seed-funding)

### [![](https://spzlegal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Are%20Term%20Sheets%20Legally%20Binding.png?width=800&height=273&name=Are%20Term%20Sheets%20Legally%20Binding.png) Are Term Sheets Legally Binding?](https://spzlegal.com/blog/funding/term-sheets-binding)

### [![](https://spzlegal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/18.png?width=800&height=273&name=18.png) Should I Use Online Crowdfunding?](https://spzlegal.com/blog/funding/benefits-of-crowdfunding)

### [![](https://spzlegal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/26.png?width=800&height=273&name=26.png) Should I Raise Using SAFEs, Convertible Notes or Preferred Stock?](https://spzlegal.com/blog/funding/convertible-equity-convertible-note-preferred-stock)

### [![](https://spzlegal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Guide%20To%20Raising%20Money%20From%20Accredited%20Investors%20for%20Startups.jpg?width=800&height=273&name=Guide%20To%20Raising%20Money%20From%20Accredited%20Investors%20for%20Startups.jpg) Raising Money From Accredited Investors](https://spzlegal.com/blog/accredited-investors)

### [![](https://spzlegal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/friends%20and%20family%20phone.png?width=800&height=273&name=friends%20and%20family%20phone.png) How Do I Raise From Friends and Family?](https://spzlegal.com/blog/funding/raising-startup-funds-friends-and-family)

## Social Enterprises

### [![](https://spzlegal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/21.png?width=800&height=273&name=21.png) What Are the Benefits and Requirements of Program Related Investment, or PRIs?](https://spzlegal.com/blog/funding/program-related-investment)

### [![](https://spzlegal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/16.png?width=800&height=273&name=16.png) Can Benefit Corporations Raise Venture Capital?](https://spzlegal.com/blog/social-enterprise/benefit-corporations-raising-venture-capital)

![Unlock Your Startup's Funding Potential Gain Insights on Pre-Seed and Seed Investment Strategies  ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/44461256/interactive-160289690670.png)

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Startup Topics

- [Formation](https://spzlegal.com/blog/tag/incorporation)
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