Convertible Promissory Note

Principal Amount: $5,000.00  •  Date of Issuance: _____________, 2026
THIS INSTRUMENT AND ANY SECURITIES ISSUABLE PURSUANT HERETO HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNDER ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THEY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER SUCH ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Sanoj Allen, d/b/a SHEP (“Maker”), promises to pay to the order of William Groves (“Holder”), the principal sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), together with interest and other amounts as set forth herein.

Key Terms

Principal$5,000.00
Interest Rate5% per annum, simple
Valuation Cap$500,000 (post-money)
Discount Rate20% on Equity Financing price
Maturity DateOctober 31, 2027
Equity Financing Threshold$25,000 aggregate gross proceeds

1. Interest

This Note shall bear simple interest at 5% per annum from the Date of Issuance. Interest shall accrue but not be payable until the Maturity Date or conversion, whichever occurs first.

2. Maturity & Repayment

Outstanding principal and accrued interest shall be due on October 31, 2027 (“Maturity Date”), unless earlier converted. Maker may prepay in whole without penalty upon 10 days’ written notice.

3. Conversion

(a) Upon Incorporation + Equity Financing. If Maker incorporates SHEP and the Company completes an Equity Financing of at least $25,000, the Note automatically converts at the lesser of: (i) the investor price × 0.80 (20% discount), or (ii) the price implied by the $500,000 Valuation Cap divided by fully diluted capitalization.

(b) Upon Incorporation (No Equity Financing). If incorporation occurs but no Equity Financing within 90 days, Holder may elect conversion to a Y Combinator post-money SAFE at a $500,000 cap.

(c) Upon Liquidity Event. Holder receives the greater of: (i) principal plus accrued interest, or (ii) the amount receivable had the Note converted at the Valuation Cap.

4. Representations & General Provisions

Maker is the sole owner of SHEP (sheplegal.com) and will cause any successor entity to assume this Note. Holder acquires this Note for investment, not for distribution, and understands the investment involves substantial risk. This Note is governed by New York law. Holder has no management, voting, or employment rights. This Note may be amended only by written agreement of both parties. Notices by email to: Maker — sanoj@sheplegal.com; Holder — ___________________________.

Maker
Sanoj Allen, d/b/a SHEP
Date
Holder
William Groves
Date
Draft for discussion. Both parties should review with independent counsel before execution.

Appendix A — Investment Outcomes

Projected outcomes for $5,000 investment at $500,000 valuation cap (~1% ownership at conversion)

Market Context

145K
US Law Students
ABA Fall 2025 • 120K JD + 25K non-JD
48K
Entering 1Ls (Fall 2026)
12-year high • +7.9% YoY
$15/mo
Competitor Pricing
NomosLearning • only direct competitor
10–15x
SaaS Revenue Multiple
Industry standard • growth-stage

Projected Outcomes

Conservative

25% market • $9/mo
$234K–$354K
Holder’s diluted value
Paying users36,250
ARR$3.9M
Valuation (10–15x)$39M–$59M
Pre-dilution (1%)$390K–$590K
Return multiple47x–71x

Ambitious

50% market • $9/mo
$468K–$702K
Holder’s diluted value
Paying users72,500
ARR$7.8M
Valuation (10–15x)$78M–$117M
Pre-dilution (1%)$780K–$1.17M
Return multiple94x–140x

Downside

No traction
$5,375
Principal + interest returned
What happensNote matures
MaturityOct 31, 2027
BackstopSeward & Kissel
Annual salary~$215K
Return multiple1.08x

Summary

ScenarioARRCompany ValuationHolder’s Value (diluted)Return on $5K
25% at $9/mo$3.9M$39M–$59M$234K–$354K47x–71x
50% at $9/mo$7.8M$78M–$117M$468K–$702K94x–140x
No traction$5,375 repaid1.08x

Dilution assumptions: Post-dilution figures assume two future rounds — seed (~20% dilution) and Series A (~25% dilution) — reducing Holder from 1% to ~0.6%. Actual dilution depends on future round terms. Anti-dilution protections apply upon conversion to SAFE Preferred Stock.

Backstop: In all scenarios, Holder’s principal is protected by Maker’s guaranteed return offer at Seward & Kissel LLP (BigLaw, ~$215K annual compensation). First-month salary covers full repayment.