Invest in wine and whiskey
Invest in startups in exchange for equity or debt
Investments
$250
The minimum investment on StartEngine typically starts from $250, with the average being around $500.
Moderate Risk
3/5
Investing with Vinovest involves market fluctuation risks, potential loss from early sale fees, limited insurance coverage, and no guarantee of liquidity or fair value realization on 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
Vinovest permits selling of assets with no extra commissions but charges a 1.5% listing fee for sales made before the ideal time window. Liquidity is not guaranteed and depends on market demand.
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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Moderate Return
8.9-13.8 %
Between 2015 and 2022, whiskey and fine wine have historically generated annual returns of 13.8% and 8.9%, respectively.
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
5-10 years
Vinovest offers three time horizons for wine investment: short-term (5-7 years), medium-term (7-10 years), and long-term (10+ years), with customization options for higher-tier clients.
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
Vinovest is open to investors who can meet the platform's minimum investment thresholds, catering to a wide audience from beginners to seasoned collectors and various entities.
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
Vinovest's assets, like wine and whiskey, can face market volatility with swift price changes, posing risks of financial loss for short-term investors.
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
Audited
Vinovest is audited annually by insurers and an independent auditor but is not SEC-regulated as it does not deal in securities.
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
Vinovest insures client assets against damage, with reimbursement at full market value, although not all loss scenarios may be covered.
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 get money back from Vinovest after selling matured or scarce wines, generally within a 10 to 15-year timeframe.
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
Vinovest charges tiered management fees: 2.5% (Standard), 2.35% (Plus), 2.15% (Premier), and 1.90% (Grand Cru), applied only on invested capital. A 1.5% selling fee is incurred upon sale, with free listing.
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
Annual Statement
Wine gains taxation through Vinovest depends on location: taxed as collectibles in the U.S., often exempt in the U.K., with similar exemptions in other countries. Vinovest provides monthly and annual statements for tax reporting, not 1099 forms.
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.