The StartEngine Private Experience

May 30, 2025 • 7 Min Read

The StartEngine Private Experience

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Meet the Investors Who Keep Coming Back for Our Pre-IPO Offerings

Investing in venture-backed private companies used to be the kind of thing reserved for folks ready to commit seven figure checks and exclusive private circles. Not anymore.

StartEngine Private has flipped the script. We provide accredited investors with exposure to some of the most popular pre-IPO companies, like OpenAI, Perplexity, and Databricks

We believed there was a market for exposure to some of the most popular private venture-backed businesses. A growing group of repeat investors suggests we were right. So, what’s drawing them in, and keeping them coming back?

We asked. They answered. Here’s what we learned.²

The following content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to invest in any securities. Private investments are speculative, illiquid, and involve a high degree of risk, including the potential loss of your entire investment. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

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What Is StartEngine Private?

StartEngine Private is our investing portal exclusively for accredited investors. We provide exposure to well-known pre-IPO companies backed by established VCs and enterprises. Think offerings for companies like OpenAI, Perplexity, Databricks, and more:¹

  • Acorns
  • Airtable
  • Anthropic
  • Apptronik
  • Attentive
  • Avathon
  • Cerebras
  • Chime
  • Databricks
  • Dataminr
  • DataRobot
  • Discord
  • Epic Games
  • Fanatics
  • Glean
  • Groq
  • H20.ai
  • Harness
  • Kraken
  • Lambda Labs
  • LeoLabs
  • Lightmatter
  • Liquid Death
  • Loft Orbital
  • Open AI
  • Outreach
  • Perplexity
  • PsiQuantum
  • Ramp
  • Recogni
  • Replit AI
  • Ripple
  • SambaNova Systems
  • Shield AI
  • SingleStore
  • TAE Technologies
  • Tenstorrent
  • ThoughtSpot
  • ZocDoc

Investing in private securities carries significant risks, including but not limited to illiquidity, lack of dividends, dilution, and potential loss of principal. These investments are not suitable for all investors. Always conduct your own due diligence and consult with a licensed financial professional before making any investment decisions.

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How Did These Investors Hear About StartEngine Private?

A lot of roads lead to StartEngine Private, but a common one is our roots in equity crowdfunding. One investor noted that they  “heard about the Private offerings once I became a regular investor on StartEngine.”

“I have an acquaintance who opened up a brewery that was doing a crowdfunding campaign through StartEngine, and I invested,” said one investor. Another noted that they were interested in investing in a local aerospace startup, which led them to the company’s campaign on StartEngine.

And yes, some investors were impressed by our strategic advisor: Kevin O’Leary, aka “Mr. Wonderful.”³

“I watch Shark Tank, and when I heard that he was doing this program, I was quick to jump on board as soon as possible,” said one investor.

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Why Did They Decide to Invest?

A common response was our accessible minimums, which can be as low as $15,000 — not the seven-figure minimums often required to buy into many venture-backed deals.

For their first investment in Series Anthropic, one investor notes that “The minimum amount was close to the range of where I like to invest.”

For many, it was also about portfolio diversification. One investor noted that they invested in Series for both Liquid Death and Databricks — offerings for exposure to a popular beverage brand and a leading AI data firm, available on the same platform.

And finally, there’s the simple appeal of investing in innovative products and industries. One investor invested in a Series for Knightscope because they “love their concept and I’m very interested in robotics.”

Robotics is one of many industries represented on StartEngine Private, including AI/ML, blockchain and crypto, fintech, food and beverage, gaming, SaaS, and more.

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What Has the Experience Been Like?

Spoiler: It’s going pretty well. But we’ll let our investors speak for themselves.

“My experience has been very professional and informative. I’ve appreciated the personal updates and service,” said one investor.

Another echoed that sentiment: “I like having access to a private rep. He has been very helpful and responsive.” That references our Private Equity Associates, who help investors navigate every aspect of the investment process.

Many highlighted the ease of use and simplicity: “Very hands off investments,” one investor wrote. Another added, “Easy to use. Variety of opportunities.”

And of course, there’s the fun of it all: “It gave me a great hobby and an upside.”

Maybe our favorite quote of all: “Overall, the experience has been excellent. The private funds are a game-changer.”

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In Conclusion: The Game Is Changing

StartEngine Private wasn’t built for old-school, high-barrier investing norms. It was built for a new kind of investor — one who’s curious, strategic, and not afraid to invest in the future.

The growing community of repeat investors suggest that we’re onto something, and we’re just getting started. StartEngine Private is here to make private market investing more accessible, more exciting, and more worthwhile.

To learn more about how these offerings are structured — and to review full risk disclosures and other important information — please visit startengine.com/private.

DISCLAIMERS

1. The underlying companies held by StartEngine Private Funds LLC, and StartEngine Private LLC (together, “StartEngine Private”) are not participating or involved in the offering. The availability of company information does not indicate that the company has endorsed, supports or otherwise participates with StartEngine Private or any of its affiliates. StartEngine Crowdfunding LLC purchases shares from current and former employees, early investors, and advisors of the companies and sells the shares to StartEngine Private for each offering. When you make an investment in a company on StartEngine Private, you are purchasing an interest in a series of StartEngine Private Funds LLC or StartEngine Private LLC, each a Delaware limited liability company (together the “Series LLCs”), which were created to hold shares of privately held companies. An investor will not directly own or hold shares of the private company but instead will own member interests in a series of the Series LLCs, which either directly or indirectly, will hold shares in the company. There may not be a one-to-one economic parity on the value of the Series LLCs interests and the underlying shares.

2. These testimonials/endorsements were provided by the participants without compensation, but each participant has a relationship with StartEngine from which they benefit. All views expressed are the individual’s own and do not represent the experience of all StartEngine investors. Please note that testimonials are no guarantee of future performance or success. Providers of testimonials or endorsements were not chosen at random or according to any objective basis, but rather on the basis of their relationship with StartEngine.

3. Kevin O’Leary is a paid spokesperson for StartEngine. See his 17(b) disclosure here.


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Important Message

IN MAKING AN INVESTMENT DECISION, INVESTORS MUST RELY ON THEIR OWN EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUER AND THE TERMS OF THE OFFERING, INCLUDING THE MERITS AND RISKS INVOLVED. INVESTMENTS ON STARTENGINE ARE SPECULATIVE, ILLIQUID, AND INVOLVE A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK, INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF YOUR ENTIRE INVESTMENT.

www.StartEngine.com is a website owned and operated by StartEngine Crowdfunding, Inc. (“StartEngine”), which is neither a registered broker-dealer, investment advisor nor funding portal.

Unless indicated otherwise with respect to a particular issuer, all securities-related activity is conducted by regulated affiliates of StartEngine: StartEngine Capital LLC, a funding portal registered here with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and here as a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), or StartEngine Primary LLC (“SE Primary”), a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and FINRA / SIPC. You can review the background of our broker-dealer and our investment professionals on FINRA’s BrokerCheck here. StartEngine Secondary is an alternative trading system (ATS) regulated by the SEC and operated by SE Primary. SE Primary is a member of SIPC and explanatory brochures are available upon request by contacting SIPC at (202) 371-8300.

StartEngine facilitates three types of primary offerings:

1) Regulation A offerings (JOBS Act Title IV; known as Regulation A+), which are offered to non-accredited and accredited investors alike. These offerings are made through StartEngine Primary, LLC (unless otherwise indicated). 2) Regulation D offerings (Rule 506(c)), which are offered only to accredited investors. These offerings are made through StartEngine Primary, LLC. 3) Regulation Crowdfunding offerings (JOBS Act Title III), which are offered to non-accredited and accredited investors alike. These offerings are made through StartEngine Capital, LLC. Some of these offerings are open to the general public, however there are important differences and risks.

Any securities offered on this website have not been recommended or approved by any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority. StartEngine and its affiliates do not provide any investment advice or recommendation and do not provide any legal or tax advice concerning any securities. All securities listed on this site are being offered by, and all information included on this site is the responsibility of, the applicable issuer of such securities. StartEngine does not verify the adequacy, accuracy, or completeness of any information. Neither StartEngine nor any of its officers, directors, agents, and employees makes any warranty, express or implied, of any kind whatsoever related to the adequacy, accuracy, or completeness of any information on this site or the use of information on this site.

Investing in private company securities is not suitable for all investors. An investment in private company securities is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk. It should only be considered a long-term investment. You must be prepared to withstand a total loss of your investment. Private company securities are also highly illiquid, and there is no guarantee that a market will develop for such securities. Each investment also carries its own specific risks, and you should complete your own independent due diligence regarding the investment. This includes obtaining additional information about the company, opinions, financial projections, and legal or other investment advice. Accordingly, investing in private company securities is appropriate only for those investors who can tolerate a high degree of risk and do not require a liquid investment. See additional general disclosures here.

By accessing this site and any pages on this site, you agree to be bound by our Terms of use and Privacy Policy, as may be amended from time to time without notice or liability.

Canadian Investors

Investment opportunities posted and accessible through the site will not be offered to Canadian resident investors. Potential investors are strongly advised to consult their legal, tax and financial advisors before investing. The securities offered on this site are not offered in jurisdictions where public solicitation for offerings is not permitted; it is solely your responsibility to comply with the laws and regulations of your country of residence.

California Investors Only – Do Not Sell My Personal Information (800-317-2200). StartEngine does not sell personal information. For all customer inquiries, please write to contact@startengine.com.

StartEngine Marketplace (“SE Marketplace”) is a website operated by StartEngine Primary, LLC (“SE Primary”), a broker-dealer that is registered with the SEC and a member of FINRA and the SIPC.

StartEngine Secondary (“SE Secondary”) is our investor trading platform. SE Secondary is an SEC-registered Alternative Trading System (“ATS”) operated by SE Primary that matches orders for buyers and sellers of securities. It allows investors to trade shares purchased through Regulation A+, Regulation Crowdfunding, or Regulation D for companies who have engaged StartEngine Secure LLC as their transfer agent. The term “Rapid,” when used in relation to transactions on SE Marketplace, specifically refers to transactions that are facilitated on SE Secondary, This is because, unlike with trades on the StartEngine Bulletin Board (“SE BB”), trades on SE Secondary are executed the moment that they are matched.

StartEngine Bulletin Board (“SE BB”) is a bulletin board platform on which users can indicate to each other their interest to buy or sell shares of private companies that previously executed Reg CF or Reg A offerings not necessarily through SE Primary. As a bulletin board platform, SE BB provides a venue for investors to access information about such private company offerings and connect with potential sellers. All investment opportunities on SE BB are based on indicated interest from sellers and will need to be confirmed. Even if parties express mutual interest to enter into a trade on SE BB, a trade will not immediately result because execution is subject to additional contingencies, including among others, effecting of the transfer of the shares from the potential seller to the potential buyer by the issuer and/or transfer agent. SE BB is distinct and separate from SE Secondary. SE Secondary facilitates the trading of securities by matching orders between buyers and sellers and facilitating executions of trades on the platform. By contrast, under SE BB, SE Primary assists with the facilitation of a potential resulting trade off platform including, by among other things, approaching the issuer and other necessary parties in relation to the potential transaction. The term “Extended”, when used in relation to transactions on SE Marketplace denotes that these transactions are conducted via SE BB, and that these transactions may involve longer processing times compared to SE Secondary for the above-stated reasons.

Even if a security is qualified to be displayed on SE Marketplace, there is no guarantee an active trading market for the securities will ever develop, or if developed, be maintained. You should assume that you may not be able to liquidate your investment for some time or be able to pledge these shares as collateral.

The availability of company information does not indicate that the company has endorsed, supports, or otherwise participates with StartEngine. It also does not constitute an endorsement, solicitation or recommendation by StartEngine. StartEngine does not (1) make any recommendations or otherwise advise on the merits or advisability of a particular investment or transaction, (2) assist in the determination of the fair value of any security or investment, or (3) provide legal, tax, or transactional advisory services.