NEWSLETTER 2013
222
documents such as a business plan and articles of association is necessary
to gain tax support. Notwithstanding the requirement in Article 5 of
the Regulation regarding the obtainment of a license, Article 21 of the
Regulation sets forth the necessity of the application with other documents
to the Undersecretariat to benefit from the support. Therefore, it may be
concluded that the documents to be submitted and the procedures to be
followed in order to benefit from state support are not specified in a clear
and orderly manner under the Regulation.
Specific Regulations for the Angel Investor
The Regulation sets forth different provisions and regulations for
angel investors.
Among the provisions, the one regarding angel investors’ participation
in the management of the venture company is of importance. Pursuant to
this provision, the investors’ participation in company management is
limited to participation in the official management body. Angel investors
cannot have any duty in the company except the board of directors and
cannot work as company personnel in the venture company. Moreover,
angel investors may not receive remuneration and salary. Therefore, the
participation of angel investors in a start-up company is limited.
The Regulation provides an opportunity to angel investors for making
investments into venture companies as a group. These joint investments
are defied as “angel groups”. In such cases, pursuant to the Regulation,
the shareholders shall be subject to the provisions regarding joint-stock
companies in the Turkish Commercial Code.
The angel network is defined in the Regulation as the structures
where entrepreneurs come together with the angel investors. The
Regulation governs the accreditation, accreditation criteria and the
authority provided to the networks as a result of accreditation. The
application to the Undersecreteriat is submitted through such accredited
networks. These networks are authorized to file and finalize applications,
supervise, audit the networks’ members and report any irregularities to
the Undersecretariat.
The Regulation sets forth certain reporting and notification obligations
for venture companies. Pursuant to the Regulation, the venture company