Are you unknowingly breaking the law by paying a commission to someone helping you raise capital? Wendy Culbertson, a securities lawyer, warns that many startup founders are violating SEC rules by paying "finders" who are not registered broker-dealers. In this interview, she explains the severe consequences of these illegal payouts, including civil and criminal liability. Wendy breaks down the complex world of SEC regulations, explaining the critical differences between Regulation D (506b vs 506c), Regulation A (Mini-IPO), and Crowdfunding (Reg CF). She also reveals the "safe harbor" strategies for hiring internal investor relations staff without triggering regulatory action and why founders should think twice before handling filings themselves. Check out the company: https://

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🕒 CHAPTERS

00:00 - Why Many Founders Are Breaking Securities Law

01:50 - The Danger of Paying "Finder's Fees"

04:12 - What is a Broker-Dealer? (SEC Definition)

07:05 - Safe Harbor: Hiring Employees to Raise Capital

09:20 - Can You Pay Fundraisers with Equity?

10:20 - Reg D vs. Reg A vs. Crowdfunding Explained

15:00 - Why Reg D and Reg CF Are Named That Way

18:50 - When Do You Need to File with the SEC?

20:00 - "Blue Sky Laws": State-Level Compliance Nightmares

23:30 - Should Founders File Their Own SEC Forms?

24:35 - The Risks of Unregistered Broker-Dealers (Criminal Action)

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