Invest in fractionalized multimillion-dollar paintings
Invest in startups in exchange for equity or debt
Investments
$15,000
The minimum investment required is $15,000, which can be used to buy one or more assets.
Investments
$250
The minimum investment on StartEngine typically starts from $250, with the average being around $500.
Moderate Risk
3/5
Investing in art through Masterworks has risks, including concentration in a single artwork, limited insurance coverage, market volatility, and uncertainty in the secondary market.
High Risk
4/5
Investing on StartEngine carries risks including market volatility, liquidity challenges, regulatory changes, the high likelihood of company failure, dilution of shares, limited company information, and the absence of guaranteed returns.
Moderate Liquidity
2/5
You have the option to trade shares on the platform's secondary market, but there are certain restrictions on what and how you can trade.
Minimum Liquidity
1/5
Liquidity on StartEngine Secondary varies due to its nature as a peer-to-peer trading platform with specific eligibility criteria and trading hours. Initially limited to companies that have raised on StartEngine, the platform's liquidity is influenced by the availability of securities and the matching of buy and sell orders within designated market hours.
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Not Predictable Return
N/P
Potential returns on investments are uncertain and vary. StartEngine's role ends after a company's capital raising concludes, leaving it without control or insight into post-offering investment activities.
Long-term Investment
5+ years
Investments through StartEngine typically have a long-term horizon, often requiring several years to potentially yield returns due to the early-stage nature of the companies.
Who can invest
International
Masterworks welcomes individuals, corporations, or entities from any location, including the United States.
Who can invest
International
StartEngine allows anyone over 18 to invest. However, due to regulatory concerns, StartEngine does not currently accept investments from residents of the UK or Canada.
Moderate Volatility
3/5
Art market fluctuations can lead to rapid price increases and declines, posing risks for short-term investors who may lose a significant portion of their capital.
Moderate Volatility
3/5
Assets on StartEngine, mainly shares in startups and early-stage companies, exhibit high volatility due to uncertain revenues, evolving business models, and market sensitivity.
Regulation and audits
SEC Regulated
Masterworks provides SEC-approved offering circulars for each artwork, allowing public investment. AGD Legal reviews art investments annually.
Regulation and audits
SEC Regulated
StartEngine operates under strict regulatory oversight by the SEC and FINRA, ensuring adherence to investor protection and market integrity rules.
Insurance
Yes
Artworks are insured for up to $500 million by Lloyd's of London, but coverage may not fully match the artwork's value.
Insurance
Yes
StartEngine's memberships with FINRA and SIPC signify its commitment to investor protection, with SIPC offering insurance against the loss of cash and securities if a broker-dealer goes bankrupt. However, it doesn't cover market loss.
Payouts
No Recurring Payouts
Dividends on StartEngine depend on the individual company's policy and investment terms, with startups often reinvesting profits to fuel growth rather than distributing dividends.
Withdrawals
Investors should wait for the company to sell the painting to receive their share of the proceeds, after deducting fees.
Withdrawals
Investors can withdraw available funds from their StartEngine Investment Account after a 10-day waiting period from the initial transfer, subject to providing additional information for security if needed.
Extra Fees
Yes
Masterworks charges a 1.5% yearly fee in equity, takes a 20% cut on art sales profits, and has a one-time sourcing fee per investment.
Extra Fees
Yes
Investors may encounter a 3.5% processing fee on investments, depending on the company's choice. Wire transfers could have additional bank fees, while ACH and credit card investments don't have extra fees beyond the 3.5% if applicable. Trading on StartEngine Secondary is free for buying, but selling shares includes a 5% transaction fee.
Taxes
Tax Form
US taxpayers: subject to collectible gains rate (capped at 28%), unless owning 10%+ of a single painting. Masterworks provides a free Consolidated Tax Statement. Foreign investors: no US taxes or tax withholding.
Taxes
Annual Statement
Investors must procure the necessary tax documents directly from the entities in which they have invested, since StartEngine does not distribute tax forms.