S-3ASR 1 squarespaces-3asr.htm S-3ASR Document

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 12, 2023
Registration No. 333-            
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
____________________________
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
____________________________
SQUARESPACE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
____________________________
Delaware20-0375811
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
225 Varick Street, 12th Floor
New York, New York 10014
(646) 580-3456
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
____________________________
Anthony Casalena
Chief Executive Officer
Squarespace, Inc.
225 Varick Street, 12th Floor
New York, New York 10014
(646) 580-3456
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
____________________________
Copies to:
Courtenay O’Connor
Jessica Krasner
Squarespace, Inc.
225 Varick Street, 12th Floor
New York, New York 10014
(646) 580-3456
Ryan J. Dzierniejko
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
One Manhattan West
New York, New York 10001
 (212) 735-3000
____________________________
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.



Prospectus
squarespacelogo1aa.jpg
Squarespace, Inc.
Class A Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants
Subscription Rights
Purchase Contracts
Purchase Units
We may offer, issue and sell, from time to time, together or separately:
shares of our Class A common stock;
shares of our preferred stock, which may be issued in one or more series;
depositary receipts, representing fractional shares of our preferred stock, which are called depositary shares;
debt securities, which may be issued in one or more series and which may be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities;
warrants to purchase shares of our Class A common stock, shares of our preferred stock or our debt securities;
subscription rights to purchase shares of our Class A common stock, shares of our preferred stock or our debt securities;
purchase contracts to purchase shares of our Class A common stock, shares of our preferred stock or our debt securities; and
purchase units, each representing ownership of a purchase contract and debt securities, preferred securities or debt obligations of third-parties, including U.S. treasury securities, or any combination of the foregoing, securing the holder’s obligation to purchase our Class A common stock or other securities under the purchase contracts.
In addition, selling securityholders may offer and sell, from time to time, shares of our Class A common stock. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of our Class A common stock by the selling securityholders.
Each time we or any of the selling securityholders offer and sell securities, we or such selling securityholders will provide a supplement to this prospectus, to the extent necessary, that contains specific information about the offering and, if applicable, the selling securityholders, as well as the amounts, prices and terms of the securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. You should carefully read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement before you invest in any of our securities.
Investing in our securities involves a number of risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 6 before you make your investment decision.
We and the selling securityholders may offer securities through underwriting syndicates managed or co-managed by one or more underwriters or dealers, through agents or directly to purchasers, or through a combination of these methods. If required, the prospectus supplement for each offering of securities will describe the plan of distribution for that offering. For general information about the distribution of securities offered, please see “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.
Our Class A common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the trading symbol “SQSP.” On September 11, 2023, the last reported sale price of our Class A common stock on the NYSE was $31.28 per share.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is September 12, 2023.



TABLE OF CONTENTS
i


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of an “automatic shelf” registration statement that we filed with the SEC as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), using a “shelf” registration process. Under this process, we may sell securities from time to time and in one or more offerings and the selling securityholders to be named in a supplement to this prospectus may, from time to time, sell shares of our Class A common stock in one or more offerings as described in this prospectus. Each time that we or the selling securityholders offer and sell securities, we or the selling securityholders will provide a prospectus supplement to this prospectus, to the extent necessary, that contains specific information about the securities being offered and sold, the specific terms of that offering and, if applicable, the selling securityholders. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, you should rely on the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, as applicable. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement (and any applicable free writing prospectuses), together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Neither we nor the selling securityholders have authorized anyone to provide you with any information or to make any representations other than those contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us. We and the selling securityholders take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We and the selling securityholders are not making offers to sell the securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation.
You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement to this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on its respective cover, that the information appearing in any applicable free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date of that free writing prospectus and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
When used in this prospectus, the terms “Squarespace,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Squarespace, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires.
1


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Our SEC filings are available to the public at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, except for any information superseded by information contained directly in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, any subsequently filed document deemed incorporated by reference or any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that we have previously filed with the SEC (other than information deemed furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules, including Items 2.02, 7.01 or 9.01 of Form 8-K, as applicable).
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 9, 2023;
the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 from our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 24, 2023;
our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on May 9, 2023 and August 8, 2023, respectively;
our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on June 8, 2023 and June 15, 2023; and
the description of our Class A common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on May 7, 2021, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
All documents filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and before the termination of the offering also shall be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference. We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02, 7.01 or 9.01 of Form 8-K.
If requested, we will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in the prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus. Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference into such documents. To obtain a copy of these filings at no cost, you may write or telephone us at the following address:
Squarespace, Inc.
225 Varick Street, 12th Floor
New York, New York 10014
(646) 580-3456
2


CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement and any documents incorporated by reference contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and our future business, financial condition and results of operations. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe-harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “will likely result,” “expect,” “continue,” “will,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “would” and “outlook,” or the negative version of those words or phrases or other comparable words or phrases of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact, and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry as well as certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which you should consider and read carefully, including but not limited to:
our ability to attract and retain customers and expand our customers’ use of our platform;
our ability to anticipate market needs and develop new or enhanced solutions to meet those needs;
our ability to improve and enhance the functionality, performance, reliability, design, security and scalability of our existing solutions;
our ability to compete successfully in our industry against current and future competitors;
the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on how we, our providers, and consumers operate and its impact on the global economy, and the duration and extent to which the pandemic will affect our business, future results of operations, and financial condition;
our ability to manage growth and maintain demand for our solutions;
our ability to protect and promote our brand;
our ability to generate new customers through our marketing and selling activities;
our ability to successfully identify, manage and integrate any existing and potential acquisitions;
our ability to hire, integrate and retain highly skilled personnel;
our ability to adapt to and comply with existing and emerging regulatory developments, technological changes and cybersecurity needs;
our compliance with privacy and data protection laws and regulations as well as contractual privacy and data protection obligations;
our ability to establish and maintain intellectual property rights;
our ability to manage expansion into international markets;
the expected timing, amount, and effect of our share repurchases; and
the other important factors discussed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K.
This list of factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement and any documents incorporated by reference. We operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for us to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors
3


on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the future events and trends discussed in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement and any documents incorporated by reference, and our future levels of activity and performance, may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those described or implied in the forward-looking statements. As a result, you should not regard any of these forward-looking statements as a representation or warranty by us or any other person or place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.
In addition, statements that contain “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this prospectus. While we believe that this information provides a reasonable basis for these statements, this information may be limited or incomplete. Our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain, and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on these statements.
You should read this prospectus and the documents that we reference and have filed as exhibits to this prospectus with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
4


THE COMPANY
Squarespace enables anyone to stand out and succeed online. Our domains, website, marketing and social media management tools provide an online presence with best-in-class design and a consistent brand experience. Our commerce solutions include tools for selling digital content, classes, appointments, reservations, physical goods and more. We facilitate an intuitive, seamless user experience across products and provide a unified view of analytics. We are headquartered in New York, New York, with additional offices operating in Chicago, Illinois, Dublin, Ireland, and Aveiro, Portugal.
Our principal executive office is located at 225 Varick Street, 12th Floor, New York, New York 10014 and our telephone number is (646) 580-3456. We maintain a website at www.squarespace.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, and you should not consider it a part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.
5


RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves risk. See the risk factors described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K (together with any material changes thereto contained in subsequent filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement) and those contained in our other filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. These risks could materially affect our business, financial condition or results of operations and cause the value of our securities to decline. You could lose all or part of your investment.
6


USE OF PROCEEDS
Except as otherwise set forth in any accompanying prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities by us for general corporate purposes, which may include, without limitation, debt repayment, acquisitions or other significant corporate transactions.
Unless set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement, we will not receive any proceeds in the event that securities are sold by a selling securityholder.
7


DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the Class A common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, subscription rights, purchase contracts and purchase units that may be offered and sold from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. However, at the time of an offering and sale, this prospectus together with any accompanying prospectus supplement will contain the material terms of the securities being offered.
8


DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
General
The following summary description of our capital stock is based on the provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware (the “DGCL”), our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws. This description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the DGCL, as it may be amended from time to time, and to the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Our authorized capital stock consists of:
1,000,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share;
100,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share;
1,000,000,000 shares of Class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share; and
100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our board of directors has the authority, without stockholder approval except as required by the listing standards of the NYSE, to issue additional shares of our capital stock.
Common Stock
We have three classes of authorized common stock: Class A common stock, Class B common stock and Class C common stock (collectively, “common stock”). The rights of the holders of Class A common stock, Class B common stock and Class C Common Stock are identical, except with respect to voting, conversion and transfer rights.
Voting rights
Shares of our Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share, shares of our Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes per share and shares of our Class C common stock have no voting rights. The holders of our Class A common stock and the holders of our Class B common stock generally vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders, unless otherwise required by Delaware law or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Delaware law could require either holders of our Class A common stock or holders of our Class B common stock to vote separately in the following circumstances:
if we were to seek to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to increase or decrease the par value of a class of our capital stock, then that class would be required to vote separately to approve the proposed amendment; and
if we were to seek to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation in a manner that alters or changes the powers, preferences or special rights of a class of our capital stock in a manner that would affect its holders adversely, then that class would be required to vote separately to approve the proposed amendment.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that stockholders are not entitled to cumulative voting for the election of directors. As a result, the holders of a majority of our voting power can elect all of the directors then standing for election.
Conversion and transfer
Each outstanding share of our Class B common stock is convertible at any time at the option of the holder into one share of our Class A common stock. Each share of our Class B common stock will convert automatically into
9


one share of our Class A common stock upon any transfer, whether or not for value, except for certain permitted transfers described in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Each share of our Class B common stock will also convert automatically into one share of our Class A common stock on the earliest to occur of (a) the first date on which the then outstanding shares of our Class B common stock held by our Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Casalena, and his permitted transferees represent less than seven percent of the aggregate number of outstanding shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock, (b) the date specified by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock or (c) the date of Mr. Casalena’s death or disability. Once converted into Class A common stock, the Class B common stock may not be reissued.
Shares of our Class C common stock are not convertible into any other shares of our capital stock.
Economic rights
Dividends. Any dividend or distribution paid or payable to the holders of shares of Class A common stock, Class B common stock and Class C common stock shall be paid pro rata, on an equal priority, pari passu basis, unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the applicable class of stock treated adversely, each voting separately as a class; provided, however, that if a dividend or distribution is paid in the form of Class A common stock, Class B common stock or Class C common stock (or rights to acquire shares of Class A common stock, Class B common stock or Class C common stock), then the holders of the Class A common stock shall receive Class A common stock (or rights to acquire shares of Class A common stock), holders of Class B common stock shall receive Class B common stock (or rights to acquire shares of Class B common stock) and holders of Class C common stock shall receive Class C common stock (or rights to acquire shares of Class C common stock).
Liquidation. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up and upon the completion of the distributions required with respect to any series of preferred stock that may then be outstanding, our remaining assets legally available for distribution to stockholders shall be distributed on an equal priority, pro rata basis to the holders of Class A common stock, Class B common stock and Class C common stock.
Change of Control Transactions. In the event of certain mergers, consolidations, business combinations or other similar transactions, shares of our Class A common stock, Class B common stock or Class C common stock will be treated equally, identically and will share ratably, on a per share basis, in any consideration related to such transaction, unless different treatment of the shares of each class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock and by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class C common stock, each voting separately as a class. In the event that the holders of shares of Class A common stock, Class B common stock or Class C common stock are granted rights to elect to receive one of two or more alternative forms of consideration in connection with such transaction, the foregoing will be satisfied if holders of shares of Class A common stock, the holders of Class B common stock and the holders of shares of Class C common stock are granted identical election rights.
Subdivisions and Combinations. If we subdivide or combine in any manner outstanding shares of Class A common stock, Class B common stock or Class C common stock, then the outstanding shares of the other class will be subdivided or combined in the same proportion and manner, unless different treatment of the shares of each class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock and by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class C common stock, each voting separately as a class.
Class C Common Stock
Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our board of directors has the authority, without stockholder approval except as required by the listing standards of the NYSE, to issue shares of our Class C common stock. We may issue shares of Class C common stock for a variety of corporate purposes, including financings, acquisitions, investments, dividends and equity incentives to our employees, consultants and directors,
10


and the Class C common stock provides us with the flexibility to do so without diluting the existing voting power of our outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Because the Class C common stock carries no voting rights, is not convertible into any other capital stock, and is not listed for trading on an exchange or registered for sale with the SEC, shares of Class C common stock may be less liquid and less attractive to any future recipients of these shares than shares of Class A common stock, although we may seek to list the Class C common stock for trading and register shares of Class C common stock for sale. In addition, because our Class C common stock carries no voting rights and is not counted when determining whether the seven percent ownership threshold related to automatic conversion of the Class B common stock is met, if we issue shares of Class C common stock in the future, the holders of our Class B common stock, including our Founder and Chief Executive Officer, may be able to elect all of our directors and to determine the outcome of most matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders for a longer period of time than would be the case if we issued Class A common stock rather than Class C common stock in such transactions.
No preemptive or similar rights
Holders of shares of our common stock do not have preemptive, subscription or redemption rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock.
Fully paid and non-assessable
Outstanding shares of our Class A common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.
Preferred Stock
Under the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our board of directors is authorized to direct us to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series without stockholder approval, unless required by law or by any stock exchange. Our board of directors has the discretion to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of preferred stock.
The purpose of authorizing our board of directors to issue preferred stock and determine its rights and preferences is to eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of holders of our common stock and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions, future financings and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third-party to acquire, or could discourage a third-party from seeking to acquire, a majority of our outstanding voting stock.
Choice of Forum
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the sole and exclusive forum for: (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of us; (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a duty (including any fiduciary duty) owed by any of our current or former directors, officers, stockholders, employees or agents to us or our stockholders; (iii) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our current or former directors, officers, stockholders, employees or agents arising out of or relating to any provision of the DGCL or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws; or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our current or former directors, officers, stockholders, employees or agents governed by the internal affairs doctrine of the State of Delaware. This provision would not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the U.S. federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also provides that the federal district courts of the United States of America is, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the sole and exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act.
11


Anti-Takeover Provisions
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws contain provisions that may delay, defer or discourage another party from acquiring control of us. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors, which we believe may result in an improvement of the terms of any such acquisition in favor of our stockholders. However, they also give our board of directors the power to discourage acquisitions that some stockholders may favor.
Multi-class stock
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides for a multi-class common stock structure, which provides holders of our Class B common stock with the ability to control the outcome of matters requiring stockholder approval, even if such holders own significantly less than a majority of the shares of our outstanding common stock.
Stockholder action and special meetings of stockholders
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that any action required or permitted to be taken by our stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of our stockholders and may not be effected by any consent in writing by our stockholders. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation further provides that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by a majority of our board of directors, the chairperson of our board of directors or our Chief Executive Officer, thus prohibiting a stockholder from calling a special meeting. These provisions might delay the ability of our stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or for stockholders to take any action, including the removal of directors.
Advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and director nominations
Our amended and restated bylaws provides advance notice procedures for stockholders seeking to bring business before our annual meeting of stockholders or to nominate candidates for election as directors at our annual meeting of stockholders. Our amended and restated bylaws also specify certain requirements regarding the form and content of a stockholder’s notice. These provisions might preclude our stockholders from bringing matters before our annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations for directors at our annual meeting of stockholders if the proper procedures are not followed. We expect that these provisions might also discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company.
Supermajority requirements for amendments of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws
Certain amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws require the approval of 66 2∕3% of the outstanding voting power of our capital stock.
Authorized but unissued shares
The authorized but unissued shares of our common stock and our preferred stock are available for future issuance without stockholder approval, subject to any limitations imposed by the listing standards of the NYSE. These additional shares may be used for a variety of corporate finance transactions, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could make more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Section 203 of the DGCL
We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL. This statute prevents certain Delaware corporations, under certain circumstances, from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder.” In general, Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as an entity or person who, together with
12


the person’s affiliates and associates, beneficially owns 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation.
A “business combination” includes a merger or sale of more than 10% of our assets. However, the above provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL do not apply if:
the business combination takes place more than three years after the interested stockholder became an “interested stockholder”;
our board of directors approves the transaction that made the stockholder an “interested stockholder” prior to the date of the transaction;
after the completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, that stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding, other than statutorily excluded shares of common stock; or
on or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the business combination is approved by our board of directors and authorized at a meeting of our stockholders, and not by written consent, by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder.
Limitation on Liability of Directors and Indemnification
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our directors are not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation is not permitted under the DGCL, as may be amended, or for liability:
for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;
for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL; or
for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
Our amended and restated bylaws provide that we must indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law. We are also expressly authorized to advance certain expenses (including attorneys’ fees) to our directors and officers and carry directors’ and officers’ insurance providing indemnification for our directors and officers for some liabilities. We believe that these indemnification provisions and insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and executive officers.
Listing
Our Class A common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “SQSP.”
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our Class A and Class B common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. The transfer agent and registrar’s address is 150 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021, and its telephone number is (866) 779-6659.
13


DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
We may offer depositary receipts representing fractional shares of our preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. The shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a depositary agreement between us and a bank or trust company that meets certain requirements and is selected by us (the “Bank Depositary”). Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share.
The description in an accompanying prospectus supplement of any depositary shares we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable depositary agreement, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer depositary shares. For more information on how you can obtain copies of any depositary agreement if we offer depositary shares, see “Where You Can Find More Information.” We urge you to read the applicable depositary agreement and any accompanying prospectus supplement in their entirety.
Dividends and Other Distributions
If we pay a cash distribution or dividend on a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the Bank Depositary will distribute such dividends to the record holders of such depositary shares. If the distributions are in property other than cash, the Bank Depositary will distribute the property to the record holders of the depositary shares. However, if the Bank Depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution of property, the Bank Depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to the record holders of the depositary shares.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
If we redeem a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the Bank Depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds received by the Bank Depositary in connection with the redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will equal the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share of the preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares are redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata as the Bank Depositary may determine.
Voting the Preferred Stock
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock represented by depositary shares are entitled to vote, the Bank Depositary will mail the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to such preferred stock. Each record holder of these depositary shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock, may instruct the Bank Depositary as to how to vote the preferred stock represented by such holder’s depositary shares. The Bank Depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the amount of the preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and we will take all action that the Bank Depositary deems necessary in order to enable the Bank Depositary to do so. The Bank Depositary will abstain from voting shares of the preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing such preferred stock.
Amendment and Termination of the Depositary Agreement
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the depositary agreement may be amended by agreement between the Bank Depositary and us. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The depositary agreement may be terminated by the Bank Depositary or us only if (1) all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or (2) there has been a final distribution in respect of the preferred stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company and such distribution has been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts.
Withdrawal of Preferred Stock
Except as may be provided otherwise in an accompanying prospectus supplement, upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the Bank Depositary, subject to the terms of the depositary agreement, the owner of
14


the depositary shares may demand delivery of the number of whole shares of preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented by those depositary shares. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the Bank Depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. Holders of withdrawn preferred stock may not thereafter deposit those shares under the depositary agreement or receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares therefor.
15


DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may offer debt securities in one or more series, which may be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities and which may be convertible into another security.
The following description briefly sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which the following general terms and provisions may apply to the debt securities, will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement, our debt securities will be issued in one or more series under an indenture to be entered into between us and the trustee to be named therein. A form of the indenture is attached as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The terms of the debt securities will include those set forth in the indenture and those made a part of the indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (“TIA”). You should read the summary below, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the provisions of the indenture in their entirety before investing in our debt securities.
The aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued under the indenture is unlimited. The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the debt securities. These terms may include, among others, the following:
the title and aggregate principal amount of the debt securities and any limit on the aggregate principal amount of such series;
any applicable subordination provisions for any subordinated debt securities;
the maturity date(s) or method for determining same;
the interest rate(s) or the method for determining same;
the dates on which interest will accrue or the method for determining dates on which interest will accrue and dates on which interest will be payable and whether interest will be payable in cash, additional securities or some combination thereof;
whether the debt securities are convertible or exchangeable into other securities and any related terms and conditions;
redemption or early repayment provisions;
authorized denominations;
if other than the principal amount, the principal amount of debt securities payable upon acceleration;
place(s) where payment of principal and interest may be made, where debt securities may be presented and where notices or demands upon the company may be made;
the form or forms of the debt securities of the series including such legends as may be required by applicable law;
whether the debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities and the date as of which the securities are dated if other than the date of original issuance;
whether the debt securities are secured and the terms of such security;
the amount of discount or premium, if any, with which the debt securities will be issued;
any covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued;
16


any additions or changes in the defaults and events of default applicable to the particular debt securities being issued;
the guarantors of each series, if any, and the extent of the guarantees (including provisions relating to seniority, subordination and release of the guarantees), if any;
the currency, currencies or currency units in which the purchase price for, the principal of and any premium and any interest on, the debt securities will be payable;
the time period within which, the manner in which and the terms and conditions upon which we or the holders of the debt securities can select the payment currency;
our obligation or right to redeem, purchase or repay debt securities under a sinking fund, amortization or analogous provision;
any restriction or conditions on the transferability of the debt securities;
provisions granting special rights to holders of the debt securities upon occurrence of specified events;
additions or changes relating to compensation or reimbursement of the trustee of the series of debt securities;
provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture and the execution of supplemental indentures for such series; and
any other terms of the debt securities (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the TIA, but may modify, amend, supplement or delete any of the terms of the indenture with respect to such series of debt securities).
General
We may sell the debt securities, including original issue discount securities, at par or at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series or any other series outstanding at the time of issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of securities under the indenture.
We will describe in an accompanying prospectus supplement any other special considerations for any debt securities we sell that are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than U.S. dollars. In addition, debt securities may be issued where the amount of principal and/or interest payable is determined by reference to one or more currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity indices or other factors. Holders of such securities may receive a principal amount or a payment of interest that is greater than or less than the amount of principal or interest otherwise payable on such dates, depending upon the value of the applicable currencies, commodities, equity indices or other factors. Information as to the methods for determining the amount of principal or interest, if any, payable on any date, and the currencies, commodities, equity indices or other factors to which the amount payable on such date is linked will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement.
United States federal income tax consequences and special considerations, if any, applicable to any such series will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement.
We expect most debt securities to be issued in fully registered form without coupons and in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Subject to the limitations provided in the indenture and in an accompanying prospectus supplement, debt securities that are issued in registered form may be transferred or exchanged at the designated corporate trust office of the trustee, without the payment of any service charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
17


Global Securities
Unless we inform you otherwise in an accompanying prospectus supplement, the debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in an accompanying prospectus supplement. Unless and until a global security is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of such depositary or by a nominee of such depositary to such depositary or another nominee of such depositary or by such depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such depositary or a nominee of such successor.
Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.
18


DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
We may issue warrants for the purchase of shares of our Class A common stock, shares of preferred stock or our debt securities. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities, and they may be attached to or separate from the other securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement that we will enter into with a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, as detailed in an accompanying prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation, or agency or trust relationship, with you.
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants will describe the terms of those warrants, including, when applicable:
the offering price;
the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the purchase price and/or exercise price of the warrants may be payable;
the number of warrants offered;
the exercise price and the amount of securities you will receive upon exercise;
the procedure for exercise of the warrants and the circumstances, if any, that will cause the warrants to be automatically exercised;
the rights, if any, we have to redeem the warrants;
the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which the warrants will expire;
the name of the warrant agent; and
any other material terms of the warrants.
After warrants expire they will become void. The prospectus supplement may provide for the adjustment of the exercise price of the warrants.
Warrants may be exercised at the appropriate office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in an accompanying prospectus supplement. Before the exercise of warrants, holders will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon exercise and will not be entitled to payments made to holders of those securities.
The description in an accompanying prospectus supplement of any warrants we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable warrant agreement, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer warrants. For more information on how you can obtain copies of any warrant agreement if we offer warrants, see “Where You Can Find More Information.” We urge you to read the applicable warrant agreement and any accompanying prospectus supplement in their entirety.
19


DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
We may issue subscription rights to purchase shares of our Class A common stock, shares of our preferred stock or our debt securities. We may issue subscription rights independently or together with any other offered security, which may or may not be transferable by the stockholder. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.
The prospectus supplement relating to any subscription rights we may offer will contain the specific terms of the subscription rights. These terms may include the following:
the price, if any, for the subscription rights;
the number and terms of each share of Class A common stock or preferred stock or debt securities which may be purchased per each subscription right;
the exercise price payable for each share of Class A common stock or preferred stock or debt securities upon the exercise of the subscription rights;
the extent to which the subscription rights are transferable;
any provisions for adjustment of the number or amount of securities receivable upon exercise of the subscription rights or the exercise price of the subscription rights;
any other terms of the subscription rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the subscription rights;
the date on which the right to exercise the subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which the subscription rights shall expire;
the extent to which the subscription rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; and
if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of subscription rights.
The description in an accompanying prospectus supplement of any subscription rights we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable subscription rights certificate or subscription rights agreement, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer subscription rights. For more information on how you can obtain copies of any subscription rights certificate or subscription rights agreement if we offer subscription rights, see “Where You Can Find More Information.” We urge you to read the applicable subscription rights certificate, the applicable subscription rights agreement and any accompanying prospectus supplement in their entirety.
20


DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND PURCHASE UNITS
We may issue purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to sell to the holders, a specified number of shares of our Class A common stock, shares of our preferred stock or our debt securities at a future date or dates, which we refer to in this prospectus as purchase contracts. The price of the securities and the number of securities may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the purchase contracts, and may be subject to adjustment under anti-dilution formulas. The purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a stock purchase contract and debt securities, preferred securities or debt obligations of third-parties, including U.S. treasury securities, or any combination of the foregoing, securing the holders’ obligation to purchase our Class A common stock or other securities under the purchase contracts, which we refer to herein as purchase units. The purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the purchase contracts in a specified manner. The purchase contracts also may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the purchase contracts or the purchase units, as the case may be, or vice versa, and those payments may be unsecured or pre-funded in whole or in part.
The description in an accompanying prospectus supplement of any purchase contract or purchase unit we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable purchase contract or purchase unit, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer purchase contracts or purchase units. For more information on how you can obtain copies of any purchase contract or purchase unit we may offer, see “Where You Can Find More Information.” We urge you to read the applicable purchase contract or applicable purchase unit and any accompanying prospectus supplement in their entirety.
21


SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS
Information about selling securityholders, where applicable, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement, in a post-effective amendment or in filings we make with the SEC under the Exchange Act which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
22


PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We or any of the selling securityholders may sell the applicable securities offered by this prospectus from time to time in one or more transactions, including without limitation:
directly to one or more purchasers;
through agents;
to or through underwriters, brokers or dealers;
through ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;
through an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;
by pledge to secure debts and other obligations;
through block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;
through purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;
through a combination of any of these methods; or
through any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.
In addition, we or the selling securityholders may enter into derivative or hedging transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. In connection with such a transaction, the third parties may sell securities covered by and pursuant to this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. If so, the third party may use securities borrowed from us or the selling securityholders or others to settle such sales and may use securities received from us to close out any related short positions. We or the selling securityholders may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement.
We or the selling securityholders will identify the specific plan of distribution, including any underwriters, dealers, agents or direct purchasers and their compensation in a prospectus supplement.
The offer and sale of the securities described in this prospectus by us, the selling securityholders, the underwriters or the third parties described above may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, including privately negotiated transactions, either:
at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;
at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;
at prices related to the prevailing market prices; or
at negotiated prices.
General
Any public offering price and any discounts, commissions, concessions or other items constituting compensation allowed or reallowed or paid to underwriters, dealers, agents or remarketing firms may be changed from time to time. Any underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms that participate in the distribution of the offered securities may be “underwriters” as defined in the Securities Act. Any discounts or commissions they receive from us or the selling securityholders and any profits they receive on the resale of the offered securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We will identify any underwriters,
23


agents or dealers and describe their commissions, fees or discounts in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be.
Underwriters and Agents
If underwriters are used in a sale, they will acquire the offered securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the offered securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions. These sales may be made at a fixed public offering price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of the sale, at prices related to such prevailing market price or at negotiated prices. We or the selling securityholders may offer the securities to the public through an underwriting syndicate or through a single underwriter. The underwriters in any particular offering will be mentioned in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be.
Unless otherwise specified in connection with any particular offering of securities, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the offered securities will be subject to certain conditions contained in an underwriting agreement that we or the selling securityholders will enter into with the underwriters at the time of the sale to them. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities of the series offered if any of the securities are purchased, unless otherwise specified in connection with any particular offering of securities. Any initial offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed, reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
We or the selling securityholders may designate agents to sell the offered securities. Unless otherwise specified in connection with any particular offering of securities, the agents will agree to use their best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment. We or the selling securityholders may also sell the offered securities to one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us or the selling securityholders. These firms will remarket the offered securities upon purchasing them in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to the terms of the offered securities. A prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be, will identify any remarketing firm and will describe the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation.
Indemnification; Other Relationships
We or the selling securityholders may have agreements with agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms, and their affiliates, may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us or the selling securityholders in the ordinary course of business. This includes commercial banking and investment banking transactions.
Stabilization and Other Transactions
In connection with any offering of securities, the underwriters may purchase and sell securities in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve syndicate sales of securities in excess of the number of securities to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. “Covered” short sales are sales of securities made in an amount up to the number of securities represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option. In determining the source of securities to close out the covered syndicate short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of the applicable security available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase the securities through the over-allotment option. Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short involve either purchases of our securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also make “naked” short sales of securities in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of securities in the open market while the offering is in progress for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities.
24


In connection with any offering, the underwriters may also engage in penalty bids. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would be in the absence of the transactions. The underwriters may, if they commence these transactions, discontinue them at any time.
25


LEGAL MATTERS
Unless otherwise indicated in any accompanying prospectus supplement, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP will provide opinions regarding the authorization and validity of the securities. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP may also provide opinions regarding certain other matters. Any underwriters will be advised about legal matters by their own counsel, which will be named in an accompanying prospectus supplement.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Squarespace, Inc. appearing in Squarespace, Inc.'s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2022, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are, and audited financial statements to be included in subsequently filed documents will be, incorporated herein in reliance upon the report of Ernst & Young LLP pertaining to such financial statements (to the extent covered by consents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
26


PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The expenses relating to the registration of the securities will be borne by the registrant.
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee$                   *
Accounting Fees and Expenses$                 **
Legal Fees and Expenses$                 **
Printing Fees$                 **
Transfer Agents and Trustees’ Fees and Expenses$                 **
Rating Agency Fees$                 **
Stock Exchange Listing Fees$                 **
Miscellaneous$                 **
Total$                   –
__________________
*Deferred in reliance on Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act.
**Since an indeterminate amount of securities is covered by this registration statement, the expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities are not currently determinable
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 145 of the DGCL authorizes a court to award, or a corporation’s board of directors to grant, indemnity to directors and officers under certain circumstances and subject to certain limitations. The terms of Section 145 of the DGCL are sufficiently broad to permit indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities, including reimbursement of expenses incurred, arising under the Securities Act.
The registrant’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the registrant will indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted under the DGCL, each person who was or is a party or threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that such person, or a person for whom such person is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer or while a director or officer of the registrant, is or was serving at the request of the registrant as a director, member, manager, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans (all such persons being referred to as an “Indemnitee”), against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in such Proceeding.
In addition, the registrant’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation allows the registrant, by the action of the registrant’s board of directors, to indemnify and advance expenses to any person (and the heirs, executors or administrators of such person) who was or is made or is threatened to be made or is otherwise involved in any Proceeding by reason of the fact that such person, or a person for whom such person is the legal representative, is or was an employee or agent of the registrant or, while an employee or agent of the registrant, is or was serving at the request of the registrant as a director, member, manager, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding, including in defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition.
The registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its current directors and executive officers. Each indemnification agreement provides, among other things, for indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law against any and all expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (with the registrant’s consent) of any Proceeding. The indemnification agreements provide for the advancement or payment of
II-1


all expenses to the Indemnitee and for reimbursement of such advanced expenses to the registrant if it is found that such Indemnitee is not entitled to such indemnification under applicable law.
The registrant maintains a general liability insurance policy that covers certain liabilities of directors and officers of the registrant arising out of Proceedings based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to the registrant or the registrant’s directors or the registrant’s officers or persons who control the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Item 16. List of Exhibits.
The following exhibits to this registration statement are incorporated by reference herein.
Exhibit
No.
Description of Exhibits
1.1*Form of Underwriting Agreement.
3.1
3.2
3.3*
Form of Certificate of Designations with respect to any preferred stock issued hereunder.
4.1
4.2*
Form of Depositary Agreement (including form of Depositary Receipt).
4.3
4.4*
Form of Warrant Agreement (including form of Warrant Certificate).
4.5*
Form of Subscription Rights Agreement (including form of Subscription Rights Certificate).
4.6*
Form of Purchase Contract Agreement (including form of Purchase Contract Certificate).
4.7*
Form of Purchase Unit Agreement (including form of Purchase Unit Certificate).
5.1
23.1
23.2
24.1
25.1*Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of trustee under the Indenture.
107
__________________
*To be filed by amendment to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference from documents filed or to be filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act.
II-2


Item 17. Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i)To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii)To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;
(iii)To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of this registration statement;
(2)That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3)To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4)That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(i)Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in this registration statement; and
(ii)Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in this registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of this registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into this registration statement or prospectus that is part of this registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in this registration
II-3


statement or prospectus that was part of this registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(5)That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i)Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii)Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii)The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv)Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b) (2) of the Act.
II-4


SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement on Form S-3 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York on September 12, 2023.
SQUARESPACE, INC.

By:
/s/ Anthony Casalena
Name:Anthony Casalena
Title:Chief Executive Officer
In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates stated. Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Anthony Casalena and Nathan Gooden and each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, each acting along with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) and exhibits to the Registration Statement on Form S-3, and to any registration statement filed under SEC Rule 462, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement on Form S-3 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SignatureTitleDate
/s/ Anthony CasalenaChief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)September 12, 2023
Anthony Casalena
/s/ Nathan GoodenChief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)September 12, 2023
Nathan Gooden
/s/ Andrew BracciaDirectorSeptember 12, 2023
Andrew Braccia
/s/ Michael FleisherDirectorSeptember 12, 2023
Michael Fleisher
/s/ Liza LandsmanDirectorSeptember 12, 2023
Liza Landsman
/s/ Anton LevyDirectorSeptember 12, 2023
Anton Levy
/s/ Jonathan KleinDirectorSeptember 12, 2023
Jonathan Klein
/s/ Neela MontgomeryDirectorSeptember 12, 2023
Neela Montgomery
II-5