StartEngine

StartEngine is an equity crowdfunding platform that combines Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) and Regulation A+ (Reg A+) offerings under one brand. One of the largest equity crowdfunding platforms by raise volume, it is notably itself publicly listed via its own Reg A+ offering and subsequent OTC trading, making it the rare example of a crowdfunding platform that demonstrated its own product by raising on it. StartEngine has facilitated more than $700 million in capital since founding in 2014, with the dual Reg CF + Reg A+ capability allowing startups to start with a Reg CF round and then graduate to a Reg A+ round on the same platform.

The structural distinctives: dual SEC framework support (Reg CF for raises up to $5M and Reg A+ for raises up to $75M, both under one platform), allowing companies to scale up their crowdfunding strategy without changing platforms. OTC-listed shares of StartEngine itself trade under the ticker "STGY" (or related symbols depending on share class), giving the company unusual public visibility for a crowdfunding platform. Famous offerings: StartEngine itself (multiple Reg A+ raises totaling tens of millions before listing), MoneyLion (before its 2021 SPAC), Beyond Meat (pre-IPO, though this was years before the company's public market success), various consumer brands and emerging technology companies. Platform fees: typically 5-8% of capital raised plus various add-on services. The 2020s reality: StartEngine remains a significant equity crowdfunding platform, though it has not surpassed Wefunder in Reg CF volume or established a dominant position in Reg A+ relative to specialized broker-dealers. The platform faced some controversy regarding its own valuation and disclosure practices during multiple Reg A+ raises.

Ryan's Take

StartEngine is the equity crowdfunding platform that uses itself as the proof point: the company raised money via Reg A+ on its own platform and listed those shares OTC, demonstrating the mechanism it sells. The dual Reg CF + Reg A+ support is a real differentiator for companies that want to start small and scale up. The platform fees are similar to Wefunder; the choice between them often comes down to specific deal mechanics and brand fit with the company's positioning.

What founders get wrong: Choosing between equity-crowdfunding platforms based purely on fee structure rather than investor base and brand fit. The platforms have meaningfully different audiences: Wefunder skews YC-adjacent and B Corp, Republic skews crypto-adjacent and creator-economy, StartEngine has broader generalist appeal. Investor-base fit matters more than 1-2% fee differences.

Related: [Equity Crowdfunding] · [Regulation CF] · [Regulation A] · [Wefunder] · [Republic]

FAQ

What is StartEngine? An equity crowdfunding platform that combines Reg CF and Reg A+ offerings under one brand. One of the largest equity crowdfunding platforms by raise volume, having facilitated more than $700 million since founding in 2014. Notably itself publicly listed via its own Reg A+ offering and subsequent OTC trading.

How is StartEngine different from Wefunder and Republic? StartEngine emphasizes dual Reg CF + Reg A+ support, allowing companies to scale from smaller Reg CF rounds to larger Reg A+ rounds on the same platform. Wefunder is primarily Reg CF; Republic spans crypto, gaming, and real estate alongside equity. Different audiences and feature sets; choose based on offering structure and investor-base fit.

Can I buy shares of StartEngine itself? Yes. StartEngine has done multiple Reg A+ offerings of its own securities and the shares trade OTC. The company has used its own offerings as a demonstration of its product mechanism. Trading volume and liquidity are limited compared to NYSE/Nasdaq-listed securities.