: These sites allow you to invest as little as $100 in vetted startups. Popular platforms include StartEngine, Wefunder, and Republic.
: This involves writing larger checks (often $10,000–$25,000+) directly to founders. It often requires you to be an accredited investor . buying shares in startup companies
The Beginner’s Guide to Buying Shares in Startups Investing in startups was once a luxury reserved for the ultra-wealthy, but new regulations and platforms have opened the door for everyone to own a piece of the next big thing. Unlike buying a stock on the New York Stock Exchange, buying startup shares means investing in a private company during its early stages of growth. 1. How to Actually Buy Shares : These sites allow you to invest as
: If a company is already successful but hasn't gone public yet, you can sometimes buy "pre-IPO" shares from early employees or investors on sites like EquityZen or SharesPost. 2. The Golden Rule: Accredited vs. Non-Accredited The SEC has different rules based on your financial status: Accredited Investors - SEC.gov It often requires you to be an accredited investor
There are three primary ways for an individual to enter the startup ecosystem: