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Understanding the financial instruments page

Financial instruments are contracts that may turn into shares in the future. They are often used to raise money, reward stakeholders, or prepare for future ownership changes.

Astrid Doumeizel avatar
Written by Astrid Doumeizel
Updated over 2 weeks ago

You can access this page from the left menu under “Financial instruments.”

This page lets you see and manage all financial instruments your company has issued.

The page is divided into three categories:

  • Convertible notes

  • Convertible loans

  • Warrants

Each category has its own tab with a list of all existing instruments and their details.

In this article, we explain both:

  • What you can see on the page

  • What each concept and term means, in simple words

All tinancial instruments will appear in the fully diluted cap table, giving you a clear overview of who owns what, including all contracts.


Convertible notes

A convertible note is an investment that starts as debt but can be converted into shares later, usually during a future funding round.

They are commonly used when a company wants an investor to join quickly without needing to set a full company valuation.

🇳🇴 Convertible notes as the Norwegian SLIP

In Norway, convertible notes are often used as the equivalent of a SLIP (Startup’s Lead Investment Paper).


A SLIP is a special type of equity financing that converts into shares at a favorable price later.

Companies use SLIPs because:

  • They allow fast fundraising without negotiating valuation

  • They delay the valuation until the next investment round

  • They give investors a discount or better terms when converting

  • They are legally simple and commonly accepted

  • They help startups raise capital early without issuing shares immediately

  • They allow the company to incentivise key personnel even after getting capital into the company.

This makes SLIPs (convertible notes) a popular tool for early-stage investing.

On the page, each convertible note shows:

Stakeholder

The person or company that owns the note.

Investment

The amount of money they invested through the note.

Discount

The percentage reduction in the company valuation the investor receives when converting the note into shares.

Example:
If the discount is 20%, they get shares at 20% below the price new investors pay in the next round.

Trigger amount

The event that makes the note convert into shares.
This is a future investment round larger than the trigger amount.

Exercise date

The date when the note converts into shares — either automatically or when triggered.

Status

Shows whether the note is active, converted, or fully settled.


Convertible loans

A convertible loan is similar to a convertible note, but includes interest like a standard loan.
It is also meant to convert into shares later, often during a future investment round.

On the page, each convertible loan shows:

Stakeholder

The person or entity who gave the loan to the company.

Loan amount

The amount of money that was loaned.

Discount

The percentage reduction applied when the loan converts into shares.

Interest rate

How much interest the loan earns over time.
This interest can, in some cases, be added to the loan amount before conversion.

Maturity date

The date by which the loan must either be converted into shares or repaid.

Status

Whether the loan is active, converted, or settled.


Warrants

A warrant is a right to buy shares at a fixed price in the future.
It does not require the person to buy the shares, but gives them the option to do so if it benefits them.

On the page, each warrant shows:

Stakeholder

Who holds the warrant.

Share class

Which type of shares they can buy (for example A shares or B shares).

Aggregate exercise price

The total price the holder would pay if they exercised all their warrants.

Exercise price

The price per share that the person must pay when converting the warrant into shares.

Expiration date

The last date when the warrant can be used.
After this date, it expires.

Number of shares

How many shares the warrant gives the right to buy.

Status

Whether the warrant is active, exercised, or expired.


Summary of the concepts

Here is a simple way to understand everything:

Convertible notes

→ Investment that becomes shares later, with a discount.
No interest. Simple and fast.

Convertible loans

→ Loans that become shares later, with a discount and interest.
More structured than notes.

Warrants

→ A right to buy shares in the future at a fixed price.
Like an “option” for stakeholders.

Conclusion

The financial instruments page gives you a complete overview of all instruments that may turn into shares in the future.

Each tab helps you understand:

  • who owns what

  • how much they invested or loaned

  • when conversion can happen

  • what terms apply

  • whether the instrument is active or already used

With clear details and simple vocabulary, you can confidently manage these instruments and understand how they may affect your future cap table, or fully diluted ownership.

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