# EquityZen

Startup profile on Capital Atlas: https://capitalatlas.ai/startups/equityzen

- Industry: Financial Services
- Headquarters: New York, US
- Website: www.equityzen.com
- Total disclosed funding: $5.5M
- Latest round: Series B (Dec 16, 2016)
- Investors on record: 8

## About

EquityZen, Inc., based in the US, specializes in connecting accredited investors with private companies and pre-IPO stocks through a streamlined investment platform.Founded in 2013 and headquartered in New York, EquityZen, Inc. provides a platform for investments in private markets. The company has successfully completed 5 deals, with its most recent deal occurring on December 16, 2016, during a SERIES B funding round that raised USD 1.8 mn led by investor Draper Associates. This funding valued the company at USD 22.605 mn post-money. The founders include Atish Davda, Phil Haslett, and Shriram Bhashyam, with Atish Davda serving as CEO.EquityZen primarily offers a platform that facilitates investments in private companies and pre-IPO stocks, catering to accredited investors seeking exposure to private market opportunities. The core product is a streamlined investment platform that allows users to access curated private placements of securities, which are not publicly traded and often require a holding period. This platform provides comprehensive investment offerings alongside exclusive market data and insights, supported by a dedicated research team with a decade of experience in the secondary market. The clientele includes individual accredited investors, wealth advisors, and institutional investors, seeking to diversify their portfolios by investing in established startups across various sectors. EquityZen's services are primarily available in the United States, focusing on major metropolitan areas known for their vibrant startup ecosystems, such as New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.EquityZen's revenue model is driven by transaction fees associated with the investments facilitated through its platform. Clients engage in transactions by reserving investments in live offerings or expressing interest in upcoming deals, structured as private placements. Each transaction typically involves the execution of investment documents and payment through ACH transfer or wire. The company may charge a fee for facilitating these investments, reflecting the proprietary nature of its platform and the specialized insights provided to investors. By offering a secure and compliant investment process, EquityZen positions itself as a trusted intermediary between private companies and investors, generating revenue from the success and volume of transactions on its platform. Specific pricing structures for its services align with industry standards for private equity transactions, ensuring that both investors and companies benefit from the investment opportunities presented.In December 2016, EquityZen, Inc. secured USD 1.8 mn in SERIES B funding led by Draper Associates, with participation from WorldQuant Ventures and ZenStone Venture Capital. The company plans to utilize this funding to enhance its platform and expand its services. Upcoming initiatives include the development of new products designed to improve user experience and streamline investment processes. The company aims to expand its market presence into additional major metropolitan areas in the US by 2025, leveraging its recent funding to support these growth strategies.

## Funding rounds

- Series B, Dec 16, 2016, $1.8M — Draper, WorldQuant Ventures, ZenStone Venture Capital
- Series A, Aug 11, 2015, $3.5M — TSVC, Chasella, Vaidya Capital Partners
- Seed, Feb 13, 2014, $0.1M — 500 Global, Kima Ventures, TSVC
- Seed, Oct 29, 2013 — 500 Global

## Investors

- 500 Global (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/500-global) — Seed
- Kima Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/kima-ventures) — Seed
- TSVC (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/tsvc) — Seed, Series A
- Chasella (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/chasella) — Series A
- Vaidya Capital Partners (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/vaidya-capital-partners) — Series A
- Draper (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/draper) — Series B
- WorldQuant Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/worldquant-ventures) — Series B
- ZenStone Venture Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/zenstone-venture-capital) — Series B