10 best platforms to invest in startups
Here are the 10 best platforms to invest in startups.
Investing in startups, once the exclusive domain of venture capitalists and angel investors, has been democratized. Today, a new generation of online platforms allows everyday investors to take a stake in the next potential unicorn, gaining access to high-growth, early-stage companies.
At ShockTrail, we are passionate about the intersection of technology and financial opportunity. This guide highlights the best platforms that allow you to invest in the innovative startups that are building tomorrow.
Why Invest in Startups via Online Platforms?
Investing in early-stage companies offers the potential for massive returns, but it also comes with high risk. Online platforms make this asset class accessible by lowering the barriers to entry.
They allow you to invest small amounts of money across multiple companies, providing crucial diversification. These platforms handle the legal and financial complexities, conduct initial due diligence on the startups, and provide all the necessary information for you to make an informed decision. It’s the most practical way for an individual to build a venture capital-style portfolio.
Real-World Scenarios: Building Your Angel Investor Portfolio
Scenario 1: The First-Time, Non-Accredited Investor
- The Investor: Alex, a tech enthusiast who wants to start investing in startups with a small amount of money.
- The Goal: To invest as little as $100 in a few different tech startups to learn the ropes.
- The Solution: Alex signs up for Wefunder. He is drawn to its “community round” ethos and the incredibly low investment minimums. He browses different companies, reads the founders’ pitches, and looks at the comments section to see what questions other investors are asking. He decides to invest $100 in a promising clean-tech startup and another $100 in a new consumer app, starting his angel investing journey without a huge capital outlay.
Scenario 2: The Experienced Investor Seeking Quality Deal Flow
- The Investor: Sarah, an accredited investor with a background in finance.
- The Goal: To gain access to more exclusive, highly-vetted startup deals that have already attracted lead investors.
- The Solution: Sarah joins AngelList. As an accredited investor, she can create a profile and apply to join syndicates led by experienced venture capitalists and angel investors. She joins a syndicate focused on FinTech, a sector she understands well. This allows her to co-invest alongside a trusted lead, benefiting from their expertise and access to deals that aren’t typically available on public crowdfunding platforms.
Scenario 3: The Impact Investor Focused on a Niche
- The Investor: David, who is passionate about sustainability and wants to invest in companies that are making a positive environmental impact.
- The Goal: To find and invest in a portfolio of startups specifically within the green technology sector.
- The Solution: David explores Republic, which often features startups in specific verticals, including crypto, gaming, and green tech. He finds a startup developing a new type of biodegradable packaging that is raising a seed round. After reading their documentation on Republic and doing his own research on the market, he invests, knowing his capital is supporting a company that aligns with his personal values. A great source for this kind of market research is TechCrunch.
Comparative Breakdown of Top Startup Investing Platforms
The 10 Best Platforms to Invest in Startups in 2025
- Wefunder: A leader in the equity crowdfunding space, Wefunder is known for its vast selection of startups, low investment minimums ($100), and a user-friendly platform perfect for beginners.
- StartEngine: One of the largest platforms by deal volume, StartEngine offers a wide variety of investment opportunities and features “StartEngine Secondary,” an alternative trading system that provides some liquidity for early investors.
- Republic: Known for its strong curation and due diligence process, Republic offers a more selective list of startups and has strong verticals in Web3/crypto, gaming, and real estate.
- AngelList: The premier platform for accredited investors. It pioneered the “syndicate” model, allowing individuals to co-invest in deals alongside seasoned venture capitalists.
- OurCrowd: A global platform for accredited investors that provides access to venture capital-level, pre-vetted deals from around the world, particularly from the Israeli tech scene.
- SeedInvest: A platform that has a rigorous vetting process, accepting only about 1% of the startups that apply. It’s a great choice for investors who value a high degree of curation.
- Dalmore Group: While not a platform itself, Dalmore is a leading broker-dealer that facilitates many of the equity crowdfunding raises you see on other sites, and their own platform features a curated list of offerings. You can read more about their role at Forbes.
- Netcapital: A platform that makes it easy for a wide range of companies to raise capital, offering a diverse array of opportunities for both accredited and non-accredited investors.
- Fundable: Operates with a dual model. Startups can raise capital through either a rewards-based model (like Kickstarter) or an equity model for accredited investors.
- MicroVentures: One of the pioneers in equity crowdfunding, MicroVentures offers access to both primary offerings and secondary market investments in later-stage, well-known private companies.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between an accredited and non-accredited investor?
An accredited investor is an individual who meets certain income or net worth thresholds defined by securities regulators (e.g., in the US, an income over $200k or a net worth over $1M, excluding primary residence). A non-accredited investor is everyone else. Equity crowdfunding platforms like Wefunder and Republic allow non-accredited investors to participate.
How much money can I realistically make?
Startup investing has a high-risk, high-reward profile. The vast majority of startups fail. The investment strategy is based on the idea that one or two massive “100x” returns in your portfolio will more than make up for the losses from the others. There is no guarantee of return, and you could lose your entire investment.
What is a “SAFE” (Simple Agreement for Future Equity)?
A SAFE is a common investment instrument used by early-stage startups. You invest money in the company today, and in return, you get the right to receive equity in the future when the company raises a priced funding round. It’s simpler and cheaper than issuing stock directly at a very early stage.
Can I sell my shares? When do I get a return?
Unlike public stocks, startup investments are highly illiquid. You should be prepared to have your capital tied up for 5-10 years or more. A return is typically realized only when the company has a “liquidity event,” such as getting acquired or going public (IPO). Some platforms like StartEngine are building secondary markets to provide earlier liquidity, but this is still a new and developing area.
How much should I invest in startups?
Financial advisors typically recommend that startup investments should only be a very small part of a well-diversified portfolio. At ShockTrail, we believe you should never invest more than you are prepared to lose entirely.
How do I perform due diligence?
Read every document the startup provides on the platform. Research the founders and their experience. Analyze the market size and the competition. Pay close attention to the questions other investors are asking in the comments section.
What are the fees?
Platforms typically charge the startup a percentage of the capital they raise. Some platforms also charge investors a small processing fee or a percentage of their investment, which will be clearly disclosed on the investment page. Major financial news sites like The Wall Street Journal frequently cover this topic.
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