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: cooleygo.com (KISS documents)
KISS: Convertible Debt
The debt variant. Typically 18-month maturity with ~5% interest. Converts to equity at a qualified financing or matures into stock at a defined valuation. Closer to a traditional convertible note than a SAFE. Generated on Cooley GO from 500 Global’s KISS set.
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, with pro-rata participation mechanics. Same Cooley GO generator, equity option.
What a KISS Is (Cooley GO glossary)
Cooley GO’s short definition of the Keep It Simple Security and how it compares with SAFEs and convertible notes. 500 Global’s original GitHub repository and the 500.co/kiss page are no longer online; Cooley GO is the maintained home of the documents.
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.