Can a SAFE-Only Company Get a 409A Valuation?

Yes. A company financed only with standard SAFEs can get a 409A valuation before it grants stock options. Standard SAFEs are in scope for 409A.io. You get an audit-ready report at $99/month on a 12-month term, within 48 hours of receiving your documents.

Do SAFE-only startups still need a 409A?

Yes, if you plan to issue options. The 409A sets the fair market value used for your option strike price. Granting options without a current 409A puts the safe harbor presumption at risk. Get the report done before the first grant, even when your only outside capital is SAFEs.

409A.io is built for pre-seed through Series A with standard cap tables: common, preferred, a standard option pool, SAFEs, and convertible notes. Cap table upload takes under 5 minutes. CSV is supported.

How does a 409A work when you only have SAFEs?

409A.io uses an OPM backsolve to the most recent financing with a GPC cross-check, prepared in accordance with AICPA guidelines for privately-held equity issued as compensation. Same methodology used by firms charging $3,000 to $5,000.

Typical firms charge $3,000 to $5,000 and take 2 to 4 weeks. Big Four firms often charge $8,000+ and take 4 to 8 weeks. 409A.io delivers an audit-ready report within 48 hours of receiving your documents. Every report is reviewed by a valuation professional from the MELD team before delivery.

409A.io was spun out of MELD Valuation. MELD has completed 10,000+ valuations across 20+ industry sectors, valued $250B+ in assets, and has zero audit issues across its history. The team brings 16 years of valuation experience. Direct auditor support is included. We answer auditor questions about methodology and conclusions.

Standard SAFEs and simple convertible notes stay in scope. Multiple instruments with non-standard terms, structured equity, or complex waterfalls are out of scope. When your cap table gets complex, graduate to MELD, or tell us your situation and we will point you the right way. Same team either path.

When should a SAFE-only founder get one?

Get the 409A before you grant options. Update at least every 12 months, and after any material event such as a priced round. Updates upon request and material-event coverage are included during your term.

One plan covers the initial report, updates, material-event coverage, and auditor support at $99/month on a 12-month term, billed monthly. Everything is included. You pay first at get-started, then complete onboarding.

What is the next step?

Subscribe at get-started, then upload your cap table and documents. The audit-ready report arrives within 48 hours once we have them.

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