500 Startups KISS Documents
KISS (Keep It Simple Security) is 500 Startups’ alternative to YC’s SAFE. Published in 2014 by 500 Global, it offers two main variants — Debt (with maturity and interest) and Equity (no maturity, no interest, similar to SAFE) — designed to handle early-stage convertible investments with lean documentation.
These documents are designed for the Delaware C-Corp structure. Direct use by a Turkish Limited Şirket or Anonim Şirket is legally problematic and creates incompatibility with the Turkish Commercial Code. To replicate a similar structure inside a Turkish entity, jurisdiction-specific adaptations are required — consult Turkish counsel.
All rights belong to 500 Global. Vircon Legal links these documents only for reference; no copyright is claimed and no modifications are made. Source: github.com/500/keep-it-simple-security
DOCX
KISS — Convertible Debt
The debt variant. Typically 18-month maturity with ~5% interest. Converts to equity at qualified financing or matures into stock at a defined valuation. Closer to a traditional convertible note than a SAFE.
DOCX
KISS — Convertible Equity
The equity variant. No maturity, no interest — closer to a SAFE. Converts at the next qualified financing or change-of-control event. Standard pro-rata participation rights are baked in.
REPO
KISS Documents Repository
Full repository of 500 Global’s KISS templates including the README explainer, alternate variants, and document history. Browse for short-form versions and additional reference material.
Get notified when we add new founder templates
We add reference templates (SAFE, KISS, NVCA, side letters, term sheets) regularly. We will only email when a new template lands.