# StartEngine: Pre-IPO Investing — Private Market Investing

> Platform for investing in private markets and pre-IPO companies. (iPhone/iPad app by StartEngine.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/startengine-pre-ipo-investing/id1560434961 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [StartEngine](https://appshunter.io/developer/1538066994)
- Category: Finance, Business
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 6,801 App Store ratings · 146 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 126 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2021-08-20
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/startengine-pre-ipo-investing/id1560434961/reviews.md

## What is StartEngine?

Invest in private markets and pre-IPO companies through StartEngine — the platform where everyday investors access deals once reserved for venture capitalists and institutions.

BUY & SELL PRE-IPO SHARES
Trade shares of private companies on StartEngine's secondary marketplace. Build your position or get liquidity without waiting for an IPO.

INVEST IN STARTUPS
Back early-stage companies across 30+ sectors — from artificial intelligence to clean energy. Become a shareholder in startups you believe in through SEC-regulated equity crowdfunding.

BUILD YOUR PRIVATE MARKET PORTFOLIO
Track pre-IPO positions, secondary market trades, and crowdfunding investments in one portfolio dashboard. Follow every company you've backed in real time.

JOIN A COMMUNITY OF PRIVATE MARKET INVESTORS
Connect with over a million investors and founders. Ask founders questions directly, follow company updates, and stay informed as your investments develop.

With the StartEngine app you can:
- Browse pre-IPO companies and secondary market listings
- Buy and sell shares in private companies
- Invest in startup equity crowdfunding campaigns
- View SEC filings, team details, and company updates
- Follow companies and track campaign milestones
- Monitor your full investment portfolio in one place

"StartEngine" refers to StartEngine Crowdfunding, Inc. StartEngine operates 4 wholly owned subsidiaries, StartEngine Capital, LLC, StartEngine Primary, LLC, StartEngine Secure, LLC, and StartEngine Assets, LLC. Unless otherwise indicated, Regulation Crowdfunding offerings are offered through StartEngine Capital LLC, an SEC-registered funding portal and FINRA member; brokerage services, including Regulation A+ offerings, Regulation CF offerings, Regulation D offerings, brokerage accounts, and securities trading through StartEngine Secondary (a SEC-regulated alternative trading system, operated by StartEngine Primary, LLC), are offered through StartEngine Primary, LLC, a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and FINRA/SIPC; and transfer agent services are offered through StartEngine Secure, LLC, an SEC registered transfer agent. StartEngine Assets LLC is an asset manager for StartEngine Collectibles Fund I LLC which offers Regulation A+ offerings in collectibles (e.g., fine art, wine) through the StartEngine platform.

Raise amount includes $760M in funds raised as of May 9, 2023 via Reg. CF and Reg. A+ combined through StartEngine's funding portal and broker dealer, StartEngine Capital, LLC and StartEngine Primary, LLC respectively, as well as StartEngine's own raises. Also includes $470M in funds raised previously through offerings conducted on www.seedinvest.com outside of the StartEngine platform. In May 2023, StartEngine acquired assets of SeedInvest, including email lists for SeedInvest's users, investors and founders seeking to raise funds. User count of 1.8 million is determined as the number of unique email addresses in StartEngine's database as of 10-6-2023.

## Key features

- Invest in private companies
- Trade pre-IPO shares
- Equity crowdfunding
- Portfolio tracking
- Connect with founders
- Browse startup deals

## What do users think of StartEngine?

Overall sentiment: neutral

**Pros**

- 🚀 Intuitive and user-friendly
- 💡 Democratizes startup investing
- 👍 Diverse investment opportunities
- 🤑 Potential for high returns

**Cons**

- 🔒 Funds locked away for long periods
- 🐛 App crashes and bugs
- 💰 High fees and poor returns
- 🤔 Lack of transparency and communication

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes on login and startup
- Inability to access existing accounts
- Support features not working as expected

**Most requested features**

- Improved app stability and performance
- Better communication and updates from companies
- Easier withdrawal and liquidity options
- More detailed financial reporting

## Recent user reviews (10 of 146)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/startengine-pre-ipo-investing/id1560434961/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Scammy

*2026-07-22, version 3.57.1*

StartEngine feels structured to profit off retail enthusiasm while leaving everyday investors holding illiquid, heavily diluted, or abandoned shares. Until StartEngine holds listed companies accountable for reporting and protects early retail backers from predatory restructuring, it is very hard to view this platform as anything more than a high-risk trap for retail money. Save your capital or stick to public index funds.

### 1/5 — You can never sell

*2026-07-22, version 3.57.1*

They let you buy shares but you can never sell them. If you want to sell you need to pay a $275 anual membership with NO guarantee that someone will be interested in buying. Therefore you “have” shares but forget about getting money out of them ever. It’s a one side transaction and you are on the losing end.

### 1/5 — Start Engine

*2026-07-15, version 3.56.0*

I can not view my statement

### 1/5 — Zero support

*2026-07-05, version 3.55.0*

They rely on AI to answer all of your questions instead of directly answering your emails. I simply want to know how to sell my investments and they refuse to answer me. It is not black and white and I’m pretty certain you need to pay for a $275 sub to even begin to sell them off. This is such a trash app that I cannot recommend this to anyone

### 1/5 — Review was deleted

*2026-06-03, version 3.50.0*

Nice that bad reviews have been removed to boost this horrible app

### 1/5 — Scam

*2026-05-18, version 3.48.1*

I deposited $1200 to start a new account.  They sent me emails stating they are setting up my account. No more emails about the status of my account just sales emails.  Several months later, I log into the app and it shows I have no balance.  So they just scammed me out of my money.

### 1/5 — Constant Website glitches

*2026-04-28, version 3.45.0*

Today the website is not working. Most days I have tried to connect with equity trust or add funds and you have failed. On a daily basis.

### 1/5 — scam.

*2026-04-28, version 3.45.0*

"invest in pre-ipo!"
translated: we work with scammers to sell fake shares in fake companies that will never, ever return.
"you can sell your shares on our marketplace!"
translated: the shares you own aren't eligible to sell.

STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS.

### 1/5 — Absolutely No customer service! Never a reply! No way to sell! Scam! Run the other Way!

*2026-04-17*

I’ve contacted customer service, or tried to on there app, 6 times in 3 years never any reply. I’m even part of there venture club for $275 a year and no help or support. I’ve funded and received $Thousands of share of different stocks over 3 years ago. and even after waiting, there’s no way to sell.  For all who are considering this app, it’s a good place to tie up money and never get it back! I can’t understand how this app can have such high ratings? I wanted to believe in it, now I think I was scammed!

### 1/5 — Worst investment app

*2026-04-17, version 3.44.0*

Don’t use this app, you’ll never get your money back.

## Frequently asked questions about StartEngine

### What is StartEngine: Pre-IPO Investing?

This app allows everyday investors to access private markets and invest in pre-IPO companies. It provides a platform for equity crowdfunding and trading shares of private companies on a secondary marketplace, offering opportunities previously reserved for venture capitalists and institutions.

### What are the key features of the app?

Key features include the ability to buy and sell shares in private companies on the secondary market, invest in startup equity crowdfunding campaigns across various sectors, and monitor your entire private market portfolio in one dashboard. Users can also view company details, SEC filings, and connect with founders.

### Is there a cost to use the StartEngine app?

The app itself is free to download and use for browsing and tracking investments. However, actual investments made through the platform will involve purchasing shares or participating in crowdfunding campaigns, which have associated costs.

### What types of companies can I invest in?

You can invest in early-stage companies across over 30 sectors, including artificial intelligence and clean energy, through SEC-regulated equity crowdfunding. The app also facilitates trading shares of private companies on its secondary marketplace, providing access to a wide range of startup opportunities.

### How do I track my investments?

The app offers a comprehensive portfolio dashboard where you can track all your pre-IPO positions, secondary market trades, and crowdfunding investments in one place. You can follow the companies you've backed in real time and stay updated on their progress.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.63.0 — 2026-08-27

- Fixed various crashes, bugs, and UI issues for improved app stability and usability.

Thanks for using StartEngine!

### 3.62.0 — 2026-08-20

- Fixed various crashes, bugs, and UI issues for improved app stability and usability.

Thanks for using StartEngine!

### 3.61.0 — 2026-08-14

- Fixed various crashes, bugs, and UI issues for improved app stability and usability.

Thanks for using StartEngine!

### 3.60.0 — 2026-08-06

- Fixed various crashes, bugs, and UI issues for improved app stability and usability.

Thanks for using StartEngine!

### 3.59.0 — 2026-07-30

- Fixed various crashes, bugs, and UI issues for improved app stability and usability.

Thanks for using StartEngine!

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*