Meet the Team

Reg CF FAQs

1. Why invest in startups?

Crowdfunding allows investors to support startups and early-growth companies that they are passionate about. This is different from helping a company raise money on Kickstarter. With Regulation CF Offerings, you aren’t buying products or merchandise. You are buying a piece of a company and helping it grow.

2. How much can I invest?

Investors other than accredited investors are limited in the amounts they are allowed to invest in all Regulation Crowdfunding offerings (on this site and elsewhere) over the course of a 12-month period: If either of an investor’s annual income or net worth is less than $107,000, then the investor’s investment limit is $2,200, or 5 percent of the greater of the investor’s annual income or net worth, whichever is greater. If both an investor’s annual income and net worth are $107,000 or higher, then the investor’s limit is 10 percent of the greater of their annual income or net worth, or $107,000 whichever is greater. Accredited investors are not limited in the amount they can invest.

3. How do I calculate my net worth?

Calculating net worth involves adding up all your assets and subtracting all your liabilities (excluding the value of the person’s primary residence). The resulting sum is your net worth.

4. What are the tax implications of an equity crowdfunding investment?

We cannot give tax advice, and we encourage you to talk with your accountant or tax advisor before making an investment.

5. Who can invest in a Regulation CF Offering?

Individuals over 18 years of age can invest.

6. What do I need to know about early-stage investing? Are these investments risky?

Investing in startups and small businesses is inherently risky and standard company risk factors such as execution and strategy risk are often magnified at the early stages of a company. In the event that a company goes out of business, your ownership interest could lose all value. Furthermore, private investments in startup companies are illiquid instruments that typically take up to five and seven years (if ever) before an exit via acquisition, IPO, etc.

7. When will I get my investment back?

GH Franchise LLC is a privately held company, and its shares are not traded on a public stock exchange. As a result, the shares cannot be easily traded or sold. As an investor in a private company, you typically receive a return on your investment under the following two scenarios: The company gets acquired by another company. The company goes public (makes an initial public offering on the NASDAQ, NYSE, or another exchange). In those instances, you receive your pro-rata share of the distributions that occur, in the case of acquisition, or you can sell your shares on the exchange. It can take 5-7 years (or longer) to see a distribution or trading, as it takes years to build companies. In many cases, there will not be any return as a result of business failure. Investments in private placements and start-up investments in particular are speculative and involve a high degree of risk, and those investors who cannot afford to lose their entire investment should not invest in startups. Companies seeking startup investments tend to be in earlier stages of development, and their business model, products and services may not yet be fully developed, operational or tested in the public marketplace. There is no guarantee that the stated valuation and other terms are accurate or in agreement with the market or industry valuations. Additionally, investors on Regulation CF offerings will receive securities that are subject to holding period requirements. The most sensible investment strategy for startup investing may include a balanced portfolio of different start-ups. Start-ups should only be part of your overall investment portfolio. Investments in startups are highly illiquid and those investors who cannot hold an investment for the long term (at least 5-7 years) should not invest.

8. Can I sell my shares?

Shares sold via Regulation Crowdfunding offerings have a one-year lock up period before those shares can be sold under certain conditions.

9. Exceptions to limitations on selling shares during the one-year lock up are transfers:

- to the company that issued the securities; - to an accredited investor; - to a family member (defined as a child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse or spousal equivalent, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships.); - in connection with your death or divorce or other similar circumstance;

10. What happens if a company does not reach their funding goal?

If a company does not reach their minimum funding goal, all funds will be returned to the investors after the closing of their offering.

11. How can I learn more about a company's offering?

All available financial information can be found on the offering pages for the company’s Regulation Crowdfunding offering.

12. What if I change my mind about investing?

You may cancel your investment at any time, for any reason until 48 hours prior to a closing occurring. If you have already funded your investment and your funds are in escrow, your funds will be promptly refunded to you upon cancellation. To submit a request to cancel your investment please email andrewhwang@ghfranchise.com