Referral rewards when you also own equity in the referred company

The honest short answer

Holding shares in a company does not on its own rule out a SourceX referral reward for introducing it. The reward is a share of SourceX's own fee, payable only once the buyer pays and SourceX receives that fee, and it is never deducted from what the company receives. What it does create is a second, personal interest alongside your shareholding, and the clean way to handle that is written disclosure before the company decides anything, not silence.

Investors who skip that step risk the wrong conversation later: a co-investor or CEO who learns about the reward at closing and starts wondering whether the advice was neutral.

What is actually true about the money

The company's side of the money is a separate flow: it agrees one all-in price with SourceX's fee included and receives a one-time payment. The guide to telling a referral reward apart from the company's licensing proceeds and the answer on who receives license proceeds walk through both.

Why it still needs disclosure

You would benefit personally if the company signs, while you also advise it as an owner. That is the textbook shape of a conflict of interest, even when the money comes from a third party. What you need to check depends on your position.

For registered representatives, the rule itself is changing: FINRA reported that the SEC approved new Rule 3290 on outside activities on September 15, 2026, replacing Rules 3270 and 3280, with the effective date to be announced in a Regulatory Notice; until then the existing rules apply.

If you recommend SourceX publicly, for example in a newsletter to founders or a LinkedIn post, the FTC's Endorsement Guides FAQ says a material connection such as referral compensation should be disclosed clearly and close to the recommendation. The reward itself is income: IRS Publication 525 explains that income is taxable unless the law specifically exempts it, so confirm the treatment with a tax adviser.

This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Confirm with your own counsel, tax adviser or professional body before acting.

The disclosure sequence

1. Read your fund documents, firm policies and any professional rules before you register.
2. Write a short note to the CEO, and to the board chair if you are a director, stating that you are a SourceX referral partner, who pays the reward and that it does not reduce the company's proceeds.
3. Ask that the disclosure be minuted if the board discusses the opportunity.
4. Step out of the company's decision on whether to proceed and on what terms.
5. Make the introduction with your referral link or the referral form, and pass on basic fit information only, never records.
6. Keep a copy of the disclosure with your partner records.

What to say when a co-investor raises it

What to do if the concern is valid

• Fund documents route portfolio-related fees to the fund. Follow them, and consider having the firm, not you, act as the partner where the program terms allow it.
• You control the company. Disclose to minority holders and co-investors too, and let an independent director or the CEO own the decision.
• Your professional rules restrict referral fees. Comply. The company can still apply directly at sourcex.si/apply without your referral link.
• Management would feel pressure to say yes. Step back entirely. A license only works when the company wants it.

Before any of this, check that the company fits at all: the company fit checker gives a preliminary, non-binding read, and the program terms govern the details of rewards and attribution.

Next step

Draft the disclosure note first, then register as a partner. The private equity operating partner guide shows how to screen the rest of a portfolio with the same discipline.