{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/investor-agreement","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/investor-agreement","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"investor-agreement","term":"Investor Agreement","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"A legal contract between the business owner(s) and investors, detailing the terms of the investment, ownership stakes, rights, and responsibilities. It clarifies the relationship and expectations.","what_it_means":"If you're bringing in outside investors for your equity injection, an investor agreement is essential. This document will be reviewed by the SBA lender to ensure compliance with SBA rules regarding control and capital structure. Make sure it aligns with SBA standby requirements if investor debt is involved.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/investor-agreement","official_sources":[{"slug":"sop-50-10","title":"SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sop-50-10-lender-development-company-loan-programs","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":2,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sop-50-10"}],"related":[{"slug":"investor","term":"Investor","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/investor"},{"slug":"equity-injection","term":"Equity injection","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/equity-injection"},{"slug":"standby-agreement","term":"Standby agreement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/standby-agreement"},{"slug":"llc","term":"LLC","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/llc"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What specific terms must a lender ensure are included in a standby agreement for a loan from an investor that counts as equity?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-specific-terms-must-a-lender-ensure-are-included-in-a-standby-agreement-for-a-loan-fr"},{"question":"Can an investor fund my SBA 7(a) down payment?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-an-investor-fund-my-sba-7-a-down-payment"},{"question":"Can investor funds from non-owner individuals be used for the equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-investor-funds-from-non-owner-individuals-be-used-for-the-equity-injection"},{"question":"Can funds gifted by a non-family investor contribute to my equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-funds-gifted-by-a-non-family-investor-contribute-to-my-equity-injection"},{"question":"Can gift funds from a non-family investor count towards my down payment?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-gift-funds-from-a-non-family-investor-count-towards-my-down-payment"},{"question":"When does a convertible note held by an investor trigger affiliation for size standards?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-does-a-convertible-note-held-by-an-investor-trigger-affiliation-for-size-standards"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Investor Agreement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/investor-agreement","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}