Banks + Brokers

Expand your private market operations with enterprise-grade software, comprehensive data solutions, advanced trading technology, and the support of seasoned market specialists.

Institutional-Quality Private Market Trading Technology

A comprehensive, turnkey workflow solution designed to streamline private company stock trading for banks and brokers, offering a seamless and efficient process from start to finish.

A Premier Platform for Private Market Trading

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to secondary trading, our product specialists are here to help you navigate the market and facilitate your private company stock transactions.

With our user-friendly technology and expert team, we provide guidance through the entire onboarding, execution, and settlement process, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience.

Discover the potential of your private company shares.

Yes, selling your private company share is possible. However, it depends on your company’s specific policy regarding the sale of private shares and your ability to find a qualified buyer who meets the “accredited investor” criteria set by FINRA and the SEC.

Some companies permit the sale of vested shares, while others impose restrictions or designate specific times for selling. Although companies recognize their employees’ need for liquidity, such sales can impact the company’s valuation and capitalization table. As a result, the sale of private company shares generally requires company approval.

Yes, you can sell your pre-IPO shares independently, but you’ll need to find an accredited investor and get approval from your company. The process involves negotiating terms, managing paperwork, and coordinating with a transfer agent. While it can be complex and time-consuming, it’s feasible to handle the sale on your own.

Additionally, some companies provide share buyback programs or tender offers, which offer a structured method for selling shares. However, these opportunities are not guaranteed and come with specific eligibility requirements and fixed prices. It’s important to understand that these company-led sales may not always align with your personal financial objectives.

To sell your private company shares on Forge’s secondary marketplace, you’ll need to register and provide details about your shares, including your desired sale price. Forge will work to match you with a buyer, but the final sale price will depend on supply and demand, and a sale is not guaranteed.

When a buyer is identified, Forge will help with the necessary documentation and seek company approval for the transaction. This process typically takes 30-60 days and involves a service fee of approximately 5% of the sale price. Forge also offers broker support throughout the process to help ensure the sale meets your financial objectives.

 Before selling pre-IPO shares, you need to obtain approval from your company and familiarize yourself with its stock sale policies. Be sure to review any holding period requirements or restrictions on secondary sales.

It’s important to be aware of potential tax liabilities and to plan the timing of your sale in accordance with your personal financial goals. Consider whether delaying the sale might impact the share value and ensure that your decision aligns with your risk tolerance. While platforms like Forge can help you find buyers, the prices and sales are not guaranteed and will depend on company constraints and approval processes.

Selling private company shares FAQs

Understand key elements of your startup equity and selling pre-IPO shares

Selling Private Shares

Who we are?

We work to help startup employees sell their vested shares so they can pursue their personal and financial goals.

As an employee at a fast-growing technology company, a large percentage of your compensation may be paid in equity, or stock in the company. Typically, you earn this stock over many years, and the amount may be refreshed throughout your career.

Today, the average startup stays private for 11 years before IPO. That means that it may be as long as 11 years before you can easily sell your shares through a traditional stock transaction.*

As a shareholder and an employee, you may want to convert some of that stock into cash to fund something else in your life, like a house. Or as a way to diversify your financial profile.

That’s where we comes in. we work to help you sell your shares so that you can use the money however you see fit.

Selling your shares is a straightforward four-step process:

  1. Register online, which is free and takes just a few minutes.
  2. Provide the name of the private company whose shares you wish to sell, the number of shares, and your desired asking price per share. A Private Market Specialist will contact you to offer insights into the market for your shares, so it’s okay if you don’t have a price in mind initially. This information remains confidential and won’t be shared with the company.
  3. Your interest is recorded, and outreach is made to a network of approximately 125,000 accredited investors and institutions to find potential buyers.
  4. If there’s buyer interest in your shares, a Private Market Specialist will assist in negotiating the terms and final purchase price. Once terms are agreed upon, the transaction is processed and closed.

Unlike public companies, startups and private companies trade less frequently and are not required to disclose financial information to the general public. Consequently, the stock prices of private companies are not updated as often.

With over 16,000 private market transactions completed across more than 450 companies, a proprietary platform of trading and valuation data is available to help price your shares. Additionally, Private Market Specialists, experienced in facilitating private market transactions, can provide market insights and compile all available information to assist you in determining the value of your shares.

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Generally, startups and private companies (sometimes referred to as “issuers”) are supportive of shareholders selling shares to meet personal and family financial needs. Private companies often have specific procedures in place to manage stock transfers. A Private Market Specialist will assist you in navigating your interactions with the company and its preferred transaction process.

The standard minimum transaction size is $100,000 USD, but there may be opportunities to sell a smaller amount. A Private Market Specialist can discuss the transaction size options with you.

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Multiple structures are supported for private market investments, so fees can vary. Typically, the commission is 5%. However, participants may incur a higher commission if the total transaction amount is less than the standard minimum of $100,000.

On average, a transaction may take around 50 days from the time a buyer is matched with a seller. Throughout the process, you will be kept informed of the timelines and next steps at every stage.

Exercising Options

What Is Forge

Forge works to help startup employees sell their vested shares so they can pursue their personal and financial goals.

As an employee at a fast-growing technology company, a large percentage of your compensation may be paid in equity, or stock in the company. Typically, you earn this stock over many years, and the amount may be refreshed throughout your career.

Today, the average startup stays private for 11 years before IPO. That means that it may be as long as 11 years before you can easily sell your shares through a traditional stock transaction.*

As a shareholder and an employee, you may want to convert some of that stock into cash to fund something else in your life, like a house. Or as a way to diversify your financial profile.

That’s where Forge comes in. Forge works to help you sell your shares so that you can use the money however you see fit.

Tax & Other Questions

What Is Forge

Forge works to help startup employees sell their vested shares so they can pursue their personal and financial goals.

As an employee at a fast-growing technology company, a large percentage of your compensation may be paid in equity, or stock in the company. Typically, you earn this stock over many years, and the amount may be refreshed throughout your career.

Today, the average startup stays private for 11 years before IPO. That means that it may be as long as 11 years before you can easily sell your shares through a traditional stock transaction.*

As a shareholder and an employee, you may want to convert some of that stock into cash to fund something else in your life, like a house. Or as a way to diversify your financial profile.

That’s where Forge comes in. Forge works to help you sell your shares so that you can use the money however you see fit.

Equity Glossary

What Is Forge

Forge works to help startup employees sell their vested shares so they can pursue their personal and financial goals.

As an employee at a fast-growing technology company, a large percentage of your compensation may be paid in equity, or stock in the company. Typically, you earn this stock over many years, and the amount may be refreshed throughout your career.

Today, the average startup stays private for 11 years before IPO. That means that it may be as long as 11 years before you can easily sell your shares through a traditional stock transaction.*

As a shareholder and an employee, you may want to convert some of that stock into cash to fund something else in your life, like a house. Or as a way to diversify your financial profile.

That’s where Forge comes in. Forge works to help you sell your shares so that you can use the money however you see fit.

How can the private market address your needs?

Whether you’re looking to sell shares, diversify your portfolio, or just want to learn more about the private market, we provides a clear path to help you achieve your investment goals.

A culture of creativity and progress

Connect with a Private Market Specialist to gain insights into the private market and navigate the transaction process with confidence.

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Explore funding options for life’s major milestones, whether you’re buying a home, paying tuition, or handling unexpected expenses.

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Pre IPO Market Accuidity Private Market Index

Consider diversifying your investment portfolio by selling a portion of your private company shares to reduce the risk of being concentrated in a single asset.

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