Assess their risks, liquidity, investments, returns, timeframes and other terms
Invest in startups in exchange for equity
Invest in private credit deals
The standard minimum investment on Wefunder for most Community Rounds is $100. However, the exact minimum can vary based on the specific offering and the investor's status as an accredited investor.
Investors can enter the private credit market via Percent with a minimum of $500, accessing a variety of asset-based securities and corporate loans.
Investing in startups on Wefunder is highly risky, and there's a real possibility of losing your entire investment.
Investing on Percent comes with inherent risks, despite efforts to minimize these through a proprietary risk framework for its own deals. The risk levels can vary across the platform, depending on whether Percent or a third party underwrites the deal.
Wefunder's investments are not highly liquid, as there is no public market for selling your stake. After one year, you can sell to any interested buyer.
Liquidity on Percent, as with many private credit platforms, varies by investment. Generally, these investments are less liquid than public stocks, tied to longer-term commitments without guaranteed immediate access to funds.
On Wefunder, investors can earn returns through different investment mechanisms: Debt, Convertibles Stock (No Dividends), Stock, Dividends. Investment returns on Wefunder vary by investment type, with dividends more typical in later-stage, non-tech businesses.
As of February 1, 2024, Percent offers a 2.5% interest rate on idle cash in accounts and reports a historical weighted average APY of 13.41% on investments.
Investments on Wefunder are long-term, with an average return period of around seven years, particularly for convertible notes or SAFEs.
Percent offers investment horizons starting at 3 months, accommodating short-term investment strategies.
Individuals 18 and older can invest on Wefunder, regardless of whether they are accredited or non-accredited investors. Additionally, Wefunder allows investments through entities.
Percent accepts investments only from accredited investors in the U.S. with U.S. bank accounts, adhering to Reg D 506(c) exemption rules.
The assets on Wefunder, primarily startups and small businesses, are highly volatile due to the uncertain success of these ventures and fluctuating market conditions.
Assets on Percent generally show lower volatility than public market investments due to the nature of private credit, which often involves fixed returns from contractual agreements.
Wefunder is regulated by the SEC and FINRA under Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF), requiring it to adhere to strict rules about investment limits, company fundraising, and disclosures.
Percent is regulated under Regulation D, 506(c) of the Securities Act, allowing only accredited investors to participate after verifying their status.
Funds deposited with Percent are held at an FDIC-insured bank, ensuring protection up to $250,000, the maximum allowed by law, providing security for investors' capital in case of a bank failure.
Wefunder investments typically do not offer dividends, as they are often in early-stage startups focusing on growth.
Percent provides returns through interest payments or fixed returns from private credit deals, rather than traditional dividends.
On Wefunder, investors primarily see returns from liquidity events like acquisitions or IPOs, where investments may convert to cash or shares. After the first year, shares can be sold to any interested buyer, with Wefunder facilitating the transfer process. For debt investments or revenue shares, returns follow the agreed terms, like fixed repayments or revenue-based payouts.
Upon investment maturity on Percent, funds (principal and yield) are credited to the investor's account. Investors can then transfer these funds to an external account or reinvest.
Wefunder charges a one-time transaction fee of 2% for bank payments and 5.5% for credit card payments. For WeFunds, an administrative fee covers lifetime costs like filings and accounting, with no additional contributions required from investors.
From September 2023, Percent charges a fee of 10% on interest payments, not affecting the principal.
Wefunder supports tax reporting for investors by providing Schedule K-1 forms for those invested through LLCs or SPVs, detailing taxable gains or losses. For investments receiving payments, such as revenue shares, Form 1099 may be issued to report income.
Percent provides investors with a consolidated 1099-INT form each tax year, reporting all investment income as ordinary income for tax purposes.