<PAGE>
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(AMENDMENT NO. )*
BE FREE, INC.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Issuer)
COMMON STOCK, $0.01 PAR VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Title of Class of Securities)
073308108
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(CUSIP Number)
DECEMBER 31, 1999
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(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)
Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule
is filed:
/ / Rule 13d-1(b)
/ / Rule 13d-1(c)
/X/ Rule 13d-1(d)
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).
Page 1 of 14 pages
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- -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
CUSIP No. 073308108 13G Page 2 of 14 pages
- -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
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1 NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Highland Capital Partners IV Limited Partnership
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2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) / /
(b) / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
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5 SOLE VOTING POWER
0
NUMBER OF
------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 6 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 2,433,666
------------------------------------------------------
EACH 7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING
PERSON 0
------------------------------------------------------
WITH: 8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
2,433,666
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
2,433,666
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10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS) / /
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11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
9.3%
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12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
PN
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Page 2 of 14 pages
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CUSIP No. 073308108 13G Page 3 of 14 pages
- -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Highland Management Partners IV LLC
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) / /
(b) / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 SOLE VOTING POWER
0
NUMBER OF
------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 6 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 2,433,666
------------------------------------------------------
EACH 7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING
PERSON 0
------------------------------------------------------
WITH: 8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
2,433,666
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
2,433,666
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS) / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
9.3%
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12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
PN
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*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
Page 3 of 14 pages
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- -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
CUSIP No. 073308108 13G Page 4 of 14 pages
- -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Robert F. Higgins
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2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) / /
(b) / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 SOLE VOTING POWER
0
NUMBER OF
------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 6 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 2,535,069
------------------------------------------------------
EACH 7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING
PERSON 0
------------------------------------------------------
WITH: 8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
2,535,069
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
2,535,069
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS) / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
9.7%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
IN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
Page 4 of 14 pages
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- -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
CUSIP No. 073308108 13G Page 5 of 14 pages
- -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Paul A. Maeder
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2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) / /
(b) / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 SOLE VOTING POWER
0
NUMBER OF
------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 6 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 2,535,069
------------------------------------------------------
EACH 7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING
PERSON 0
------------------------------------------------------
WITH: 8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
2,535,069
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
2,535,069
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS) / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
9.7%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
IN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
Page 5 of 14 pages
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CUSIP No. 073308108 13G Page 6 of 14 pages
- -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Daniel J. Nova
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2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) / /
(b) / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 SOLE VOTING POWER
0
NUMBER OF
------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 6 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 2,535,069
------------------------------------------------------
EACH 7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING
PERSON 0
------------------------------------------------------
WITH: 8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
2,535,069
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
2,535,069
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS) / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
9.7%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
IN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
Page 6 of 14 pages
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CUSIP No. 073308108 13G Page 7 of 14 pages
- -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Keith E. Benjamin
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2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) / /
(b) / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 SOLE VOTING POWER
0
NUMBER OF
------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 6 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 2,535,069
------------------------------------------------------
EACH 7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING
PERSON 0
------------------------------------------------------
WITH: 8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
2,535,069
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
2,535,069
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS) / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
9.7%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
IN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
Page 7 of 14 pages
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CUSIP No. 073308108 13G Page 8 of 14 pages
- -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Wycliffe K. Grousbeck
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2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) / /
(b) / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 SOLE VOTING POWER
0
NUMBER OF
------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 6 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 2,535,069
------------------------------------------------------
EACH 7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING
PERSON 0
------------------------------------------------------
WITH: 8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
2,535,069
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
2,535,069
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS) / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
9.7%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
IN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
Page 8 of 14 pages
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Item 1(a). NAME OF ISSUER: Be Free, Inc. (the "Company")
Item 1(b). ADDRESS OF ISSUER'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES: 154 Crane
Meadow Road, Marlborough, Massachusetts 01752
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Item 2(a) Item 2(b) Item 2(c)
- --------- --------- ---------
Citizenship or Place
Name of Person Filing Address of Organization
- --------------------- ------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C>
Highland Capital Partners IV Limited Two International Place Delaware
Partnership ("Highland Capital"), a Boston, MA 02110
Delaware limited partnership
Highland Management Partners IV LLC Two International Place Delaware
("Highland Management"), a Delaware Boston, MA 02110
limited liability company and the
sole general partner of Highland
Capital
Robert F. Higgins, Paul A. Maeder, Daniel J. Two International Place United States
Nova, Keith E. Benjamin and Wycliffe K. Boston, MA 02110
Grousbeck, the managing members of
Highland Management (the "Investing
Managing Members")
</TABLE>
Item 2(d). TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES: Common Stock, par value $0.01
per share.
Item 2(e). CUSIP NUMBER: 073308108
Item 3. IF THIS STATEMENT IS FILED PURSUANT TO RULES 13d-1(b), OR
13d-2(b), CHECK WHETHER THE PERSON FILING IS A:
Not applicable.
Item 4. OWNERSHIP.
(a) Amount Beneficially Owned:
Highland Capital is the record owner of and beneficially owns
2,433,666 shares (the "Shares") of Common Stock. Highland
Capital has the power to vote or direct the disposition of all
of the Shares. Such power is exercised through Highland
Management as the sole general partner of Highland Capital.
Highland
Page 9 of 14 pages
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Management, as the general partner of Highland
Capital, may be deemed to own the Shares beneficially. The
Investing Managing Members have the power over all investment
decisions of Highland Management and therefore may be deemed
to share beneficial ownership of the Shares by virtue of their
status as controlling persons of Highland Management. In
addition, Highland Entrepreneurs' Fund IV Limited Partnership
("HEF") is the record owner of and beneficially owns 101,403
shares (the "HEF Shares") of Common Stock. HEF has the power
to vote or direct the disposition of all of the HEF Shares.
Such power is exercised through Highland Entrepreneurs' Fund
IV LLC (the "LLC") as the sole general partner of HEF. The
LLC, as the general partner of HEF, may be deemed to own the
HEF Shares beneficially. The Investing Managing Members have
the power over all investment decisions of the LLC and
therefore may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the
HEF Shares by virtue of their status as controlling persons of
the LLC. Highland Management disclaims beneficial ownership of
the Shares and each of the Investing Managing Members
disclaims beneficial ownership of the Shares and the HEF
Shares.
(b) Percent of Class:
Each of Highland Capital and Highland Management may be deemed
to own beneficially 9.3% of the outstanding Common Stock. Each
of the Investing Managing Members may be deemed to own
beneficially 9.7% of the outstanding Common Stock. The
foregoing percentage is based on the 26,218,444 shares of
Common Stock reported to be outstanding as of November 3, 1999
in the Company's Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule
424(b)(4) filed on such date.
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) Each of Highland Capital, Highland Management and the
Investing Managing Members has sole power to vote or
direct the vote of -0- shares.
(ii) Highland Capital, Highland Management and each of the
Investing Managing Members have shared power to vote
or to direct the vote of 2,433,666 shares. In
addition, each of the Investing Managing Members have
shared power to vote or to direct the vote of an
additional 101,403 shares, for an aggregate number of
2,535,069 shares.
(iii) Each of Highland Capital, Highland Management and the
Investing Managing Members has sole power to dispose
or to direct the disposition of -0- shares.
(iv) Highland Capital, Highland Management and each of the
Investing Managing Members have shared power to
dispose or to direct the disposition of 2,433,666
shares. In addition, each of the Investing Managing
Members have shared power to dispose or to direct
the disposition of an additional 101,403 shares, for
an aggregate number of 2,535,069 shares.
Page 10 of 14 pages
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Item 5. OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT OR LESS OF A CLASS.
Not applicable.
Item 6. OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER
PERSON.
Not applicable.
Item 7. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY WHICH
ACQUIRED THE SECURITY BEING REPORTED ON BY THE PARENT HOLDING
COMPANY.
Not applicable.
Item 8. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP.
Highland Capital, Highland Management, and each of the
Investing Managing Members expressly disclaim membership in a
"group" as defined in Rule 13d - 1(b)(1)(ii)(J).
Item 9. NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF GROUP.
Not applicable.
Item 10. CERTIFICATION.
Not applicable.
Page 11 of 14 pages
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his or its knowledge and
belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this
statement is true, complete and correct.
Dated: February 11, 2000
HIGHLAND CAPITAL PARTNERS IV
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: Highland Management
Partners IV LLC
By: /s/ Robert F. Higgins
--------------------------
Managing Member
HIGHLAND MANAGEMENT PARTNERS IV LLC
By: /s/ Robert F. Higgins
-------------------------------
Managing Member
/s/ Robert F. Higgins
- ---------------------------
Robert F. Higgins
/s/ Paul A. Maeder
- ---------------------------
Paul A. Maeder
/s/ Daniel J. Nova
- ---------------------------
Daniel J. Nova
/s/ Keith E. Benjamin
- ---------------------------
Keith E. Benjamin
/s/ Wycliffe K. Grousbeck
- ---------------------------
Wycliffe K. Grousbeck
Page 12 of 14 pages
<PAGE>
Exhibit Index
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION PAGE NO.
<S> <C> <C>
A Agreement of Joint Filing 14
</TABLE>
Page 13 of 14 pages
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EXHIBIT A
AGREEMENT OF JOINT FILING
Pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the undersigned hereby agree that only one statement containing the information
required by Schedule 13G need be filed on behalf of all of the undersigned with
respect to the ownership of shares of Common Stock of Be Free, Inc.
This agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original.
EXECUTED as a sealed instrument this 11th day of February, 2000.
HIGHLAND CAPITAL PARTNERS IV
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: Highland Management
Partners IV LLC
By: /s/ Robert F. Higgins
--------------------------
Managing Member
HIGHLAND MANAGEMENT PARTNERS IV LLC
By: /s/ Robert F. Higgins
-------------------------------
Managing Member
/s/ Robert F. Higgins
- ---------------------------
Robert F. Higgins
/s/ Paul A. Maeder
- ---------------------------
Paul A. Maeder
/s/ Daniel J. Nova
- ---------------------------
Daniel J. Nova
/s/ Keith E. Benjamin
- ---------------------------
Keith E. Benjamin
/s/ Wycliffe K. Grousbeck
- ---------------------------
Wycliffe K. Grousbeck
Page 14 of 14 pages
