Rule 1-14-7.17 - Accredited Investor ExemptionBy authority delegated to the Secretary of State in Section 75-71-203 of the Act to promulgate rules, the following transactions involving any offer or sale of a security by an issuer in a transaction that meets the requirements of this Rule are exempt from the registration requirements of the Act:
A. Sales of securities shall be made only to persons who are or the issuer reasonably believes are accredited investors. "Accredited investor" is defined in 17 C.F.R. Section 230.501(a) as currently enacted or as amended.B. The exemption is not available to an issuer in the development stage that either has no specific business plan or purpose or has indicated that its business plan is to engage in a merger or acquisition with an unidentified company or companies or other entity or person.C. The issuer reasonably believes that all purchasers are purchasing for investment and not with the view to or for sale in connection with a distribution of the security. Any resale of a security sold in reliance on this exemption within twelve (12) months of sale shall be presumed to be with a view to distribution and not for investment, except a resale pursuant to a registration statement effective under Article 3 of the Act or to an accredited investor pursuant to an exemption available under the Act.D. The exemption is not available to an issuer if the issuer, any of the issuer's predecessors, any affiliated issuer, any of the issuer's directors, officers, general partners, beneficial owners of ten percent (10%) or more of any class of its equity securities, any of the issuer's promoters presently connected with the issuer in any capacity, any underwriter of the securities to be offered, or any partner, director, or officer of such underwriter: 1. Within the last five (5) years, has filed a registration statement that is the subject of a currently effective registration stop order entered by any state securities administrator or the SEC;2. Within the last five (5) years, has been convicted of any criminal offense in connection with the offer, purchase, or sale of any security, or involving fraud or deceit;3. Is currently subject to any state or federal administrative enforcement order or judgment, entered within the last five (5) years, finding fraud or deceit in connection with the purchase or sale of any security; or4. Is currently subject to any order, judgment, or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, entered within the last five (5) years, temporarily, preliminarily, or permanently restraining or enjoining such party from engaging in or continuing to engage in any conduct or practice involving fraud or deceit in connection with the purchase or sale of any security.E. Subsection (D)(1) of this Rule shall not apply if:1. The party subject to the disqualification is licensed or registered to conduct securities related business in the state in which the order, judgment, or decree creating the disqualification was entered against such party;2. Before the first offer under this exemption, the state securities administrator, or the court or regulatory authority that entered the order, judgment, or decree, waives the disqualification; or3. The issuer establishes that it did not know and in the exercise of reasonable care, based on a factual inquiry, could not have known that a disqualification existed under this Subsection.F. A general announcement of the proposed offering may be made by any means. The general announcement shall include only the following information, unless additional information is specifically permitted by the Secretary of State.1. The name, address, and telephone number of the issuer of the securities;2. The name, a brief description, and price (if known) of any security to be issued;3. A brief description of the business of the issuer in twenty-five (25) words or fewer;4. The type, number, and aggregate amount of securities being offered;5. The name, address, and telephone number of the person to contact for additional information; and;6. A statement that:a. Sales will only be made to accredited investors;b. No money or other consideration is being solicited or will be accepted by way of this general announcement; andc. The securities have not been registered with or approved by any state securities agency or the SEC and are being offered and sold pursuant to an exemption from registration.G. The issuer, in connection with an offer, may provide information in addition to the general announcement under Subsection (E) of this Rule, if such information: 1. Is delivered through an electronic database that is restricted to persons who have been prequalified as accredited investors; or2. Is delivered after the issuer reasonably believes that the prospective purchaser is an accredited investor.H. No telephone solicitation shall be permitted unless, prior to placing the call, the issuer reasonably believes that the prospective purchaser to be solicited is an accredited investor.I. Dissemination of the general announcement of the proposed offering to persons who are not accredited investors shall not disqualify the issuer from claiming the exemption under this Rule.J. The issuer shall file with the Division a notice of transaction, a consent to service of process and a copy of the general announcement within fifteen (15) days after the first sale in this state.Miss. Code Ann. §§ 75-71-203, -401, -404, -605(a)(1),(3), -605(b), -608(c), -610(e) (2020).