StartEngine vs Timeless Investments Comparison

Assess their risks, liquidity, investments, returns, timeframes and other terms

Invest in startups in exchange for equity or debt

Invest in exclusive collectibles

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Investments
$250

The minimum investment on StartEngine typically starts from $250, with the average being around $500.

Investments
€50

The minimum investment on Timeless is €50 per share.


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.

High Risk
4/5

Investing on Timeless involves risks such as market volatility, liquidity constraints, regulatory changes, and asset-specific issues like authenticity. Additionally, platform-related risks such as data security and operational stability could affect investments. These factors highlight the importance of thorough risk assessment and consideration of personal risk tolerance before investing in collectibles through Timeless.


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.

Moderate Liquidity
2/5

While traditional collectible investments are illiquid, Timeless offers a level of liquidity by enabling trading among investors during the average holding period of 2 to 8 years. However, liquidity is influenced by demand within the platform and the collective decision to sell the asset.

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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.

High Return
40 %

Timeless cannot guarantee returns as the collectibles market is unpredictable. However, historical data shows an average annual return of 40% on their platform, with returns ranging from 9.1% to 93.1% per year. Investors should note that past performance is not indicative of future results.


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.

Long-term Investment
2-8 years

The typical investment time horizon on Timeless ranges from 2 to 8 years, varying by asset class. During this period, investors can trade shares for liquidity before a collective decision is made to sell the asset, subject to majority approval.


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.

Who can invest
European Union

To invest with Timeless, individuals must be at least 18 years old, possess a valid ID card or passport, have a SEPA bank account, and not be taxable outside the EU. Additionally, they must have a permanent residence. Importantly, US citizens and US taxpayers are excluded from using Timeless's services due to SEC restrictions and the implications of the FACTA, which targets tax evasion by US citizens abroad.


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.

Moderate Volatility
3/5

The assets on Timeless, being exclusive collectibles, are subject to inherent volatility due to factors like fluctuating market demand, the rarity and exclusivity of items, condition and authenticity concerns, and broader economic and cultural trends. These factors can lead to significant price swings, making the value of collectibles unpredictable over short periods. While Timeless carefully selects collectibles with high potential for appreciation, investors should be mindful of this volatility and how it aligns with their investment goals and risk tolerance.


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.

Regulation and audits
BaFin Regulated

Timeless is registered with the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) as a contractually bound intermediary of CONCEDUS GmbH, under register number 80174023. This indicates regulatory compliance and oversight by BaFin in its operations.


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.

Insurance
Yes

Timeless stores collectibles in a secured German facility with insurance coverage, though it's crucial to note that not all damages, such as those from force majeure, may be covered. Additionally, there's no guarantee of compensation for losses, as there are no guarantee funds or deposit insurance for investors. This points to a risk of partial or complete value loss in certain scenarios.


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.

Payouts
No Recurring Payouts

Timeless does not provide traditional dividends. Instead, investors gain returns from the appreciation of collectibles, realized when these assets are sold for a higher value than their purchase price. Profits from such sales are distributed among investors based on their shareholdings, acting as a one-time capital gain rather than regular dividends.


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.

Withdrawals

Investors on Timeless receive their money back after the sale of a collectible by entering their SEPA bank account details on the platform. After the sale and distribution of profits, the funds are automatically transferred to the investor's bank account within 10 banking days, allowing for a straightforward return on their 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.

Extra Fees
Yes

Timeless charges a one-time 2% service fee and a management fee at the initial purchase of fractions, covering costs like division of collectibles, documentation, transport, maintenance, and insurance, with management fees varying from 1% to 6% depending on the asset. Trading involves a 2% service fee for buyers, with no fees for sellers. There are no ongoing fees for the storage or operation of the platform, and no fees are charged to investors upon the sale of a collectible.


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.

Taxes
Annual Statement

Timeless assists investors with tax reporting by enabling the download of an Excel spreadsheet that records their purchases and sales, simplifying the process of tracking transactions and preparing tax documents.

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