Your private company stock *could* be your ticket to wealth—but without liquidity, it’s just paper dreams; Augment is here to help you cash in.
To the millions of private company employees across the U.S., an untapped opportunity is waiting for you.
If you work for a startup or other privately held business, there’s a good chance you receive compensation in the form of company stock. This can be an attractive perk, and in many cases, may pay off tremendously in time. Facebook’s IPO, for example, is estimated to have minted 1,000 millionaires, according to a Business Insider report.
In other words, private shares can be worth much more than a paycheck, on paper. In practice, however, employees of private companies may have trouble turning their stock into true wealth — especially before a liquidity event.
Fortunately, we have built a solution that could make this opportunity more accessible for all private company employees. But first, it’s important to fully understand the problem at hand.
Shareholders of private companies often face liquidity challenges when seeking to sell shares before a company reaches its IPO or other exit event. The secondary private market can be opaque, with a host of intermediaries and a lack of clear pricing, making it daunting for those looking to realize the value of their equity.
Additionally, private companies might have lengthy timelines before IPOs, leaving employees seeking liquidity with few options. Although some companies offer liquidity solutions through tender programs, many are left unable to find fair pricing or suitable buyers.
Finally, unlike the public markets, private share transactions do not have centralized reporting mechanisms, making it difficult for sellers to determine market prices. Together, these factors may impede your ability as a shareholder of a private company to monetize your valuable assets.
To address this imbalance, we built Augment Capital*, whose featured platform levels the playing field for private company employees. Our marketplace offers a seamless, secure environment for private market transactions, helping you to identify interested buyers for your private shares and discover fair market prices.
Facebook's IPO, for example, is estimated to have minted 1,000 millionaires, according to a Business Insider report. However, such outcomes are rare exceptions. Most private companies never reach IPO stage, and many private shares ultimately yield limited returns or losses
By offering tools like real-time pricing data, anonymous order placements, and an efficient deal execution engine, we aim to deliver a streamlined experience for accredited investors, institutional players, and private company stakeholders alike.
Whether through direct negotiation or broker-assisted deals, Augment’s marketplace ensures transparency. Our comparatively low fees typically range from 2-4%** — well below the commissions of 5% or more commonly charged by private market intermediaries.
To top it off, Augment's high level of compliance and regulatory standards ensures that every transaction meets legal and industry requirements. By enabling secure and transparent trades involving shares in private companies, Augment has helped many employees access their wealth before a traditional liquidity event.
If you are interested in doing the same, take a moment to explore Augment.Market. Whether you are looking for a buyer or simply in search of more information, Augment has everything you need to get started in your journey on the private secondary market.
Ready to unlock your net worth? Learn more about the Augment opportunity here.
Noel Moldvai
Co-Founder and CEO, Augment
*Securities transactions are executed on Augment Capital, LLC's ATS and offered through Augment Capital, LLC (member FINRA/SIPC).
**Fees mentioned (2-4%) may vary based on transaction size and complexity. Additional costs may apply. All fees will be disclosed prior to execution.
Important Disclosures: Investing in private securities involves substantial risk, including the potential loss of principal. Private securities are typically illiquid, have limited pricing transparency, and often require longer holding periods. These investments are available exclusively to qualified accredited investors and offer no guarantee of returns. Additionally, past performance of private securities does not indicate or predict future results.