Equipment Lease Purchase Agreement (Acquisition Fund) This Equipment Lease Purchase: Fill & Download for Free

Of course. That’s exactly what “due diligence” is all about. How thorough an investor will be depends to some extent on the professionalism of the investor, the size of the investment, and the stage of the company, but the checking will almost certainly entail requesting and reviewing all of the startup’s financial accounts and projections, customer contracts, cap table, IP filings, etc. (That’s one reason that a platform like Gust Launch can be so useful, because it ensures that everything is appropriately tracked and recorded.)Here is a typical business diligence checklist for an angel or venture investment:Company OverviewArticulate the “equity story” here (i.e. why the company is on to something and why its stock will appreciate greatly). Is it compelling?Does the company engage in thorough business planning?Does management have a clear understanding of the challenges it faces and a realistic plan to address them?Are there any skeletons in the company’s closet from previous activities (e.g. outstanding liabilities, unassigned IP)?Management TeamAre all resumes and personal references available?What key strengths does the management team have collectively and individually?What holes are there in the team and how/when might they be filled?Have there been any disgruntled employees and, if so, why? Do these employees cause any tangible risk going forward?What strengths does the Board bring to the company? How might it be augmented?Is there a Board of Advisors, and, if so, how active is it?MarketingDoes the company have a well-defined sense of what its true market is?·Is this market sufficiently large and fast-growing to be attractive?Is the company’s market generalized or niche?If generalized, does the company stand out from competitors?If niche, will the company dominate sufficiently to either build attractive cash flow or be bought by a larger firm?Is the company the leading firm in its market? Market share?What barriers to entry does the company enjoy? How long lasting are they?Does management understand the key metrics to measure its business and does it track its progress effectively? How do the metrics compare to similar firms?Does the company have a sensible business model?SalesDo customer reference calls bear out claims management make about demand for their products/services?Is the company pipeline attractive? What is the probability that it will hit its targets?Does the sales strategy make sense? What could be done to improve it?Can the company acquire customers profitably?Is the company’s sales cycle better or worse than its competitors and is it attractive?CompetitionDoes the company know who its competitors are, including indirect competitors?Where does the company stack up vs. competitors? Can it win business from them?Has the company focused its business plan narrowly enough to limit its competition?How well-funded is the competition?Product DevelopmentIs the product a need-to-have, a nice-to-have, or a luxury? Does it solve a critical problem or enable growth (if B2B)/provide entertainment (if B2C)?Describe the customer demand in detail?Has the company proven adept at product development? Does it have an adequate technical team?Did product development flow from perceived (or better yet researched) customer demand or from some other impetus? Explain.Intellectual PropertyDoes the company have an appropriate IP strategy? Explain.Are there any issues relating to patents or intellectual property?Production / Operations (HR, Customer Support, Fulfillment, Returns, Distribution Logistics)Do the management team and other employees enjoy appropriate incentives to run the company for the long term?Are the interests of management aligned with ours?Are total labor costs appropriate?Does the company have a realistic plan for managing its back office and customer support? Will it be able to handle customer growth while maintaining customer satisfaction?Financing StrategyIs the valuation attractive? What is the projected times money returned and IRR (if calculable)? Is the risk-adjusted return attractive?Does the company have a thorough plan as to what it will do with our money? Is it sensible?Is the company raising the right amount of money?What financing risk exists in the business plan? How much additional money must they raise and how flexible (in amount and timing) can they be in raising it?FinancialsDoes the company have a realistic set of projections based on reasonable assumptions?Are the projections bottom-up (good) or top-down (not so good)?Does the company have good operating leverage?Are the margins attractive (absolutely and relative to competitors)?Has the company met, exceeded or fallen short of its previous budgets? Analyze variances.Assets and PropertyAre there any issues here?Customer ReferencesWrite up summary of reference calls.Do customer reference calls bear out claims management make about demand for their products/services?Are there any issues flagged by customers? Does management recognize and admit to (without prompting) these issues?Contracts and AgreementsReview all contracts with legal counsel and flag any issues, risks or omissions.Corporate DocumentsReview all corporate documents with legal counsel and flag any issues, risks or omissions.TaxesReview company tax situation and analyze effects on cash flow over next several years.InsuranceAssess adequacy of insurance coverage and analyze risk to investment thesis of any insurance gaps.And here’s the legal/financial due diligence checklist that would accompany it in the case of a full venture or strategic round:“Please furnish for our review copies of the following documents or indicate in writing on a copy of this list that none exist. In addition, please provide a written summary of each oral agreement or arrangement which is responsive to the requests set forth below. Any documents identified as originals will be returned to you promptly.Unless otherwise indicated, (i) all requests are for any matters which are currently existing and in effect or which occurred at any time since the Company’s incorporation but which are not now existing or in effect, and (ii) each request applies to all past and present direct or indirect subsidiaries (if any), and all predecessors, whether corporations, partnerships or joint ventures. For purposes of this request, all such entities are included in the term “Company.” Where there is no information responsive to the request, please so indicate by writing “N/A” or the equivalent in the margin.I. Corporate Records.Chart showing, or a narrative description of, the corporate, partnership, limited liability company structures (parents, all subsidiaries and other financially or legally related entities) and ownership (including the number of shares and/or percentage of ownership) of the Company.Copies of the certificates of incorporation, by-laws, partnership agreements, operating agreements and other similar organizational documents of the Company.Stock record books and copies of all stock certificates, including reverse sides, of the Company and affiliates.List of all subsidiaries and affiliates of the Company, if any.List of jurisdictions in which the Company is qualified or has applied for qualification to do business and evidence of such qualification or application.List of jurisdictions where the Company has substantial contacts (e.g., real or personal property owned or leased, employees, sales representatives, etc.).List of the Company’s current shareholders, the numbers of shares owned and the consideration paid for such shares.Warrants, stock options, agreements relating to any warrants or options to purchase securities, any convertible security and other rights to subscribe for or purchase securities.Schedule of all outstanding stock options and warrants, including name of individual, grant date, expiration date and exercise price, of the Company.Voting agreements, voting trusts, shareholder agreements or other similar arrangements with or among shareholders or equity owners of the Company.Stock purchase and repurchase agreements.Stock restriction agreements.Registration rights agreements.Minutes or other records of meetings of the Board of Directors, committees of the Board of Directors or shareholders of the Company.All materials distributed to members of the Board of Directors, committees of the Board of Directors or shareholders of the Company since incorporation or organization (or written consents in lieu of meetings).II. Employee Benefit Plans and Other Employment Matters.Employment, consulting, compensation or other agreements or arrangements to which any director, officer or employee of the Company is a party.Copies of any provisions of any contract or arrangement, pursuant to which any director or officer (or other applicable principals, partners or members) of the Company is insured or indemnified in any manner against liability.All documents relating to pension, deferred compensation, stock option (including SARs), profit sharing and any other similar plans of the Company, all IRS determination letters relating to the foregoing and the most recent actuarial report for any defined benefit pension plan for the Company.All other employee compensation, bonus, incentive, benefit (e.g., life or health insurance) or similar plans of the Company, including plan evaluation and actuarial evaluation reports.Any standard form employment agreements used by the Company as well as any agreements that deviate in any material respect from such standard forms, and all severance or special termination agreements with senior management of the Company.Information with respect to any pension benefit plan subject to Title IV of ERISA maintained by an entity other than the Company which is, or was within the past five years, in a single controlled group with the Company.All collective bargaining agreements to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound, including any side letters.Any policy manuals or materials with respect to trade or employment practices of the Company.Confidentiality, proprietary rights, and non-competition agreements (i) between the Company and any officer, director, employee, consultant, representative, supplier or customer or (ii) which the Company’s employees or consultants have entered into with a prior employer.Information as to employment arrangements and/or compensation plans where any benefits or rights are triggered by a change in control of the Company, including any so called “golden parachute” or similar arrangements.Information as to employment arrangements and/or severance plans where any benefits or rights are granted upon severance or termination of an employee, whether or not in connection with a change in control of the Company.Any contracts for consulting or management services.III. Regulatory MattersAll applications, filings, findings, reports, registration statements, correspondence, complaints, consent decrees, determinations, orders, etc., relating to federal regulatory agencies and all foreign, state and local agencies performing similar functions. Include all exhibits for all filings, unless duplicative of material requested elsewhere.IV. Properties, Assets, and Leases.List of all real property owned, leased (as lessee or lessor) or used by the Company including all documentation of ownership, leasehold interest, any encumbrances or restrictions against transfer on such property, and any title insurance policies or title searches.List of all intangible or intellectual property e.g., patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade names, trade secrets and customer lists owned, leased, licensed or used by the Company and any patent or trademark registrations or similar documents in any domestic or foreign jurisdiction. Please include any required permits, licenses, approvals, related regulatory reports, or agreements and any actual or threatened claims of infringement or misappropriation.List of all fixed assets, personal property and equipment owned, leased or used by the Company including all documentation of ownership, leasehold interest or any encumbrances or restrictions against transfer of such property.With respect to all of the properties and leases described in this Item IV, please identify any officers, Directors, shareholders or employees of the Company holding an interest in such properties or leases.V. Material Agreements and Financing Documents.Loan agreements, lines of credit, indentures, revolving credit agreements, note purchase agreements, notes, other evidence of indebtedness and all related documents concerning any debt financing.Venture capital financing documentsAny agreements in principle or otherwise with respect to mergers, acquisitions, divestitures or sales of material assets of the Company, whether or not consummated.Mortgages, security agreements, pledges and other evidence of liens or letters of credit securing any obligations of the Company.Corporate and personal guarantees of any obligations and powers of attorney executed in the Company’s name.Schedule and copies of all contracts, agreements, arrangements or understandings under which the Company (i) has any surviving representations or warranties or any ongoing obligation to indemnify, defend or hold harmless any party, (ii) is subject to any other material commitment, contingency or liability or (iii) which restrict in any manner the right of the Company to conduct its business or to compete with any partyList of bank accounts belonging to the Company and its affiliates.Correspondence and internal memoranda relating to any documents requested in this Item V.VI. Marketing, Sales and Operations.Licensing agreements (including inter-company).Patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications and copyrights (domestic and foreign), service marks (domestic and foreign) and documents relating to know-how, trade secrets, and other proprietary information used by the Company.Promotional material, sales literature and other advertising documents distributed to potential customers.Agreements with any educational institutions or relating to the Company’s provision of private student loans.Joint venture, partnership and limited partnership agreements.Agency, commission, distribution, franchise or sales representative agreements.Governmental contracts, agreements or purchase orders.Agreements under the which the company is obligated to provide or purchase a material amount of goods or servicesAll other contracts (including executory contracts) material to the Company.VII. Accounting, Financial and Insurance Matters.2004 annual and 2005 year to date monthly financial statements (including balance sheet and income statement).All documentation relating to any transaction between the Company and any director and officer including any loans or similar arrangement.Budgets, fiscal projections and strategic plans, together with a review of or comparison with actual results, if available.Summary of federal, state, local and foreign income tax status, including consents and agreements with any tax authority or any pending or threatened disputes concerning tax matters and all audit papers and communications between the Company and the Internal Revenue Service.Any documents relating to liabilities and obligations, including material contingent liabilities, write-downs or write-offs of notes or accounts receivable, incurred otherwise than in the ordinary course of business since formation.Copies of all insurance policies and a history of insurance claims, with details of any pending claims or incidents which may arise in claims.VIII. Legal Proceedings.List and description of all material litigation, administrative proceedings, arbitration proceedings, investigations, claims or disputes (including pending or threatened litigation or claims) involving the Company or any principal shareholder, officer, director, principal, partner or member of the Company as a plaintiff or defendant.All consent decrees, judgments, other decrees or orders, settlement agreements, injunctions or similar matters (continuing or contingent) to which the Company is a party or involving any person in his capacity as a shareholder, officer, director principal, partner, member or employee of the Company.Documentation with respect to any pending or threatened disputes with any governmental agency to which the Company is or may become a party.All correspondence dealing with actual or alleged infringement of patents, trademarks and copyrights.Any waivers or agreements canceling claims or rights of substantial value other than in ordinary course of business.IX. All other materials and documents involving the Company, not otherwise covered by the foregoing items, which, in your judgment, may be material to the business of the Company or which should be reviewed in making disclosures regarding the business and financial condition of the Company.”

So it sounds like your company has decided to purchase an existing business. Regardless of whether the deal is structured as an asset transaction, a stock transaction, or a merger, make sure you know what you are getting into by requiring detailed information from the seller regarding its business operations and finances. The following is a checklist of information and documents you should review.A. Organization and Good Standing.The Company's Articles of Incorporation, and all amendments thereto.The Company's Bylaws, and all amendments thereto.The Company's minute book, including all minutes and resolutions of shareholders and directors, executive committees, and other governing groups.The Company's organizational chart.The Company's list of shareholders and number of shares held by each.Copies of agreements relating to options, voting trusts, warrants, puts, calls, subscriptions, and convertible securities.A Certificate of Good Standing from the Secretary of State of the state where the Company is incorporated.Copies of active status reports in the state of incorporation for the last three years.A list of all states where the Company is authorized to do business and annual reports for the last three years.A list of all states, provinces, or countries where the Company owns or leases property, maintains employees, or conducts business.A list of all of the Company's assumed names and copies of registrations thereof.B. Financial Information.Audited financial statements for three years, together with Auditor's Reports.The most recent unaudited statements, with comparable statements to the prior year.Auditor's letters and replies for the past five years.The Company's credit report, if available.Any projections, capital budgets and strategic plans.Analyst reports, if available.A schedule of all indebtedness and contingent liabilities.A schedule of inventory.A schedule of accounts receivable.A schedule of accounts payable.A description of depreciation and amortization methods and changes in accounting methods over the past five years.Any analysis of fixed and variable expenses.Any analysis of gross margins.The Company's general ledger.A description of the Company's internal control procedures.C. Physical Assets.A schedule of fixed assets and the locations thereof.All U.C.C. filings.All leases of equipment.A schedule of sales and purchases of major capital equipment during last three years.D. Real Estate.A schedule of the Company's business locations.Copies of all real estate leases, deeds, mortgages, title policies, surveys, zoning approvals, variances or use permits.E. Intellectual Property.A schedule of domestic and foreign patents and patent applications.A schedule of trademark and trade names.A schedule of copyrights.A description of important technical know-how.A description of methods used to protect trade secrets and know-how.Any "work for hire" agreements.A schedule and copies of all consulting agreements, agreements regarding inventions, and licenses or assignments of intellectual property to or from the Company.Any patent clearance documents.A schedule and summary of any claims or threatened claims by or against the Company regarding intellectual property.F. Employees and Employee Benefits.A list of employees including positions, current salaries, salaries and bonuses paid during last three years, and years of service.All employment, consulting, nondisclosure, nonsolicitation or noncompetition agreements between the Company and any of its employees.Resumés of key employees.The Company's personnel handbook and a schedule of all employee benefits and holiday, vacation, and sick leave policies.Summary plan descriptions of qualified and non-qualified retirement plans.Copies of collective bargaining agreements, if any.A description of all employee problems within the last three years, including alleged wrongful termination, harassment, and discrimination.A description of any labor disputes, requests for arbitration, or grievance procedures currently pending or settled within the last three years.A list and description of benefits of all employee health and welfare insurance policies or self-funded arrangements.A description of worker's compensation claim history.A description of unemployment insurance claims history.Copies of all stock option and stock purchase plans and a schedule of grants thereunder.G. Licenses and Permits.Copies of any governmental licenses, permits or consents.Any correspondence or documents relating to any proceedings of any regulatory agency.H. Environmental Issues.Environmental audits, if any, for each property leased by the Company.A listing of hazardous substances used in the Company's operations.A description of the Company's disposal methods.A list of environmental permits and licenses.Copies of all correspondence, notices and files related to EPA, state, or local regulatory agencies.A list identifying and describing any environmental litigation or investigations.A list identifying and describing any known superfund exposure.A list identifying and describing any contingent environmental liabilities or continuing indemnification obligations.I. Taxes.Federal, state, local, and foreign income tax returns for the last three years.States sales tax returns for the last three years.Any audit and revenue agency reports.Any tax settlement documents for the last three years.Employment tax filings for three years.Excise tax filings for three years.Any tax liens.J. Material Contracts.A schedule of all subsidiary, partnership, or joint venture relationships and obligations, with copies of all related agreements.Copies of all contracts between the Company and any officers, directors, 5-percent shareholders or affiliates.All loan agreements, bank financing arrangements, line of credit, or promissory notes to which the Company is a party.All security agreements, mortgages, indentures, collateral pledges, and similar agreements.All guaranties to which the Company is a party.Any installment sale agreements.Any distribution agreements, sales representative agreements, marketing agreements, and supply agreements.Any letters of intent, contracts, and closing transcripts from any mergers, acquisitions, or divestitures within last five years.Any options and stock purchase agreements involving interests in other companies.The Company's standard quote, purchase order, invoice and warranty forms.All nondisclosure or noncompetition agreements to which the Company is a party.All other material contracts.K. Product or Service Lines.A list of all existing products or services and products or services under development.Copies of all correspondence and reports related to any regulatory approvals or disapprovals of any Company's products or services.A summary of all complaints or warranty claims.A summary of results of all tests, evaluations, studies, surveys, and other data regarding existing products or services and products or services under development.L. Customer Information.A schedule of the Company's twelve largest customers in terms of sales thereto and a description of sales thereto over a period of two years.Any supply or service agreements.A description or copy of the Company's purchasing policies.A description or copy of the Company's credit policy.A schedule of unfilled orders.A list and explanation for any major customers lost over the last two years.All surveys and market research reports relevant to the Company or its products or services.The Company's current advertising programs, marketing plans and budgets, and printed marketing materials.A description of the Company's major competitors.M. Litigation.A schedule of all pending litigation.A description of any threatened litigation.Copies of insurance policies possibly providing coverage as to pending or threatened litigation.Documents relating to any injunctions, consent decrees, or settlements to which the Company is a party.A list of unsatisfied judgments.N. Insurance Coverage.A schedule and copies of the Company's general liability, personal and real property, product liability, errors and omissions, key-man, directors and officers, worker's compensation, and other insurance.A schedule of the Company's insurance claims history for past three years.O. Professionals.A schedule of all law firms, accounting firms, consulting firms, and similar professionals engaged by the Company during past five years.P. Articles and Publicity.Copies of all articles and press releases relating to the Company within the past three years.

The full form of COP in finance (certificate of participation)where an investor purchases a share of the lease revenues of a program rather than the bond being secured by those revenues. Certificates of participation are secured and it is based on lease revenues and is known COP in finance.Certificate of Participation (COP)By JAMES CHENUpdated Apr 10, 2019What Is a Certificate of Participation?A certificate of participation (COP) is a type of financing where an investor purchases a share of the lease revenues of a program rather than the bond being secured by those revenues. Certificates of participation are secured by lease revenues.A certificate of participation (COP) can also be referred to as a participation certificate.Understanding the Certificate of Participation (COP)A lease-financing agreement is used by a municipality or local government to acquire real property. Under the agreement, the local government makes regular payments over the annually renewable contract for the acquisition and use of the property. A lease-financing contract is typically made available in the form of a certificate of participation (COP).A municipal government will typically issue muni bonds from which the proceeds from the bond investors will be used to undergo a project. The certificate of participation is an alternative to municipal bonds in which an investor buys a share in the improvements or infrastructure the government entity intends to fund. The authority usually uses the proceeds from a COP to construct a facility that is leased to the municipality, releasing the municipality from restrictions on the amount of debt that they can incur. The COP contrasts with a bond, in which the investor loans the government or municipality money in order to make these improvements.A certificate of participation is a tax-exempt lease-financing agreement that is sold to investors as securities resembling bonds. In a COP program, a trustee is typically appointed to issue the securities that represent a percentage interest in the right to receive payments from the local government under the lease-purchase contract. Investors that participate in the program are given a certificate that entitles each investor to a share, or participation, in the revenue generated from the lease-purchase of the property or equipment to which the COP is tied. The lease and lease payments are passed through the lessor to the trustee, who oversees the distribution of the payment to the certificate holders on a pro-rata basis.Certificates of participation do not require voter approval and also can be issued more quickly than referendum bonds. In addition, COP financing is more complex and generally resembles bond financing. An underwriter of the COPs will be required, as will various fiscal agents. An official statement providing disclosure to investors must be approved by the municipal government and, in most cases, the government must contract to make continuing disclosures to SEC Rule 15c2-12 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.COPs are also used as credit instruments by banks to raise funds from other banks in order to ease liquidity. Short-term funds are raised by issuing participation certificates which involve sharing credit assets with other banks. The rate at which these certificates can be issued will be negotiable depending on the interest rate scenario.Compete Risk Free with $100,000 in Virtual CashPut your trading skills to the test with our FREE Stock Simulator. Compete with thousands of Investopedia traders and trade your way to the top! 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