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The minimum investment on EquityZen is $10,000, though this may vary by offering.
The minimum investment amount for Streitwise is $3,515, which is based on a Net Asset Value (NAV) of $7.03 per share.
Investing in private companies via EquityZen involves risks such as limited liquidity, market volatility, company performance uncertainties, regulatory changes, less available information, and potential lack of diversification, which could impact investment returns.
Investing in Streitwise involves risks such as market fluctuations affecting real estate values, limited liquidity with a one-year lockout period and potential for delayed redemptions, discounts on early redemption reducing investment value, concentration in specific real estate markets, reliance on management's decision-making, regulatory changes impacting operations, and sensitivity to interest rate changes.
EquityZen offers liquidity for vested shares only. It does not provide liquidity for unvested shares, unvested RSUs, or options directly.
Streitwise's Redemption Plan offers investors a structured way to sell their shares back to the company, starting after a one-year lockout period. Redemption before five years involves a discount, with full NAV redemption available after five years.
Unlike public market investments, private investments carry higher risks and unpredictability. Consequently, it's challenging to define a standard return rate for EquityZen investments.
Streitwise has offered an average annualized dividend yield of 7.3% since 2020. Future dividends depend on factors like tenant quality and maintenance costs, and cannot be guaranteed.
Typically, companies on EquityZen have received late-stage funding, suggesting an expected investment horizon of 2-5 years, but outcomes can vary widely.
Streitwise targets long-term investments, ideally over five years, to avoid early redemption discounts and maximize returns. There's a one-year lockout period, emphasizing the long-term approach.
Streitwise is open to both accredited and non-accredited investors, including international participants, with some investment limits for non-accredited investors to ensure their financial safety. International investors can join with certain conditions and may face delays in processing.
Assets on EquityZen, which are shares in private companies, can be highly volatile due to limited public information, sensitivity to market conditions, low liquidity, and company-specific events, leading to significant price fluctuations.
Assets on the Streitwise platform, mainly commercial real estate, typically show lower volatility compared to stocks or cryptocurrencies, due to the slower pace of value changes in real estate. However, factors like economic shifts, interest rate changes, and market conditions can still cause fluctuations, albeit over longer periods.
EquityZen Securities is registered with the SEC and is a member of FINRA/SIPC, ensuring it adheres to regulatory standards and practices for investor protection and undergoes regular audits.
Streitwise is regulated under Regulation A+ of the JOBS Act, allowing it to sell securities to both accredited and non-accredited investors with SEC oversight. Although not specified, companies under this regulation typically must submit audited financial statements annually, conducted by independent firms, ensuring transparency and compliance.
EquityZen is a FINRA/SIPC member firm, offering account protection up to $500,000 (including $250,000 for cash claims) through SIPC in case of brokerage failure, not covering market value losses.
Streitwise has not specified the types of insurance it holds for its operations or properties. Typically, real estate investments are covered by property, liability, and business interruption insurance.
Investors in private companies on EquityZen typically do not receive dividends, as these companies often reinvest profits to fuel growth.
Streitwise pays dividends quarterly, about 10 days post-quarter end, offering payment via check, direct bank transfer, or through a dividend reinvestment program.
Investors can get their money back from investments on EquityZen mainly through an IPO, acquisition of the company, or secondary market sales on the platform. However, returns depend on market demand and timing of these liquidity events, with no guaranteed timeline.
Investors can request to redeem their Streitwise shares after a one-year lockout period, with redemptions processed quarterly. Early redemptions (before five years) face discounts, while shares held for five years or more are redeemed at 100% NAV. Quarterly redemption limits may delay processing.
EquityZen charges a 5% fee to sellers upon transaction closure. For investors, a one-time sales fee applies: 5% for investments up to $500,000, 4% for $500,000 to $1 million, and 3% for over $1 million.
Streitwise charges a straightforward 2% annual fee on investments, taken from dividend payments, not the principal. There are no additional or hidden fees, making its fee structure transparent and investor-friendly.
EquityZen issues a Schedule K-1 for taxable events and provides vetted tax documentation to investors. Upon investment, individuals complete necessary tax forms (W-9 or W8-BEN) and receive annual tax updates.
Streitwise provides a Form 1099-DIV for tax reporting by January 31 each year, detailing dividends which may be taxed as return of capital, capital gains, or ordinary income.