Registration rights
Also called: demand registration rights, piggyback rights
ELI5
Investors may require help making shares publicly tradable.
Used in conversation
“Registration rights become relevant around an IPO.”
Definition
Rights requiring or permitting the company to register securities for public resale under US law.
Here “Registration rights” means: Rights requiring or permitting the company to register securities for public resale under US law.
Pitch context
You will see “Registration rights” in fundraising decks, data rooms, term sheets and investor conversations when the discussion reaches term-sheet control & investor rights.
Why it matters: In term-sheet control & investor rights, a loose definition can change rights, obligations, approval, disclosure or enforceability.
Caution
Meaning, enforceability and required process vary by jurisdiction and agreement; this definition is not legal advice.
Sources & evidence · 5
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- National Venture Capital Association — Model Legal DocumentsDirect source · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- Y Combinator — Series A Term Sheet TemplateDirect source · practitioner · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Small Business Capital Formation GlossarySupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Exempt OfferingsSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- Y Combinator — Safe financing documentsSupporting source family · practitioner · checked 2026-08-16