EquityZen

EquityZen is an online marketplace that connects accredited investors with shareholders of private companies seeking liquidity, enabling the buying and selling of pre-IPO shares. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in New York City, the platform has facilitated over 49,000 transactions across more than 450 private companies, including notable firms like Lyft and Evernote. By providing a secondary market for private company shares, EquityZen offers investors access to pre-IPO opportunities and provides liquidity to early shareholders.

The platform offers various investment products, including single-company funds and multi-company funds, allowing investors to diversify their portfolios with stakes in multiple private companies through a single investment. Investment minimums start at $20,000, making private equity investments more accessible to a broader audience of accredited investors. EquityZen's multi-company funds typically have fund lives ranging from five to seven years, providing investors with diversified exposure to late-stage private companies.

In October 2025, Morgan Stanley announced its agreement to acquire EquityZen, aiming to strengthen its capabilities in providing liquidity for pre-IPO shares and increasing access to private equity opportunities for its clients. This acquisition reflects the growing interest in private markets and the demand for platforms that facilitate access to pre-IPO investments. The deal is expected to close in early 2026, marking a significant development in the private equity landscape.

EquityZen's mission is to deliver responsible access to private market investing, enabling investors to participate in the growth of leading private companies and allowing early shareholders to realize the value they have helped create. Through its platform, EquityZen continues to bridge the gap between private company shareholders and accredited investors, democratizing access to private market investments and providing liquidity solutions for private company stakeholders.