Crowdstreet vs StartEngine Comparison

Assess their risks, liquidity, investments, returns, timeframes and other terms

Invest in commercial real estate projects

Invest in startups in exchange for equity or debt

107,000 visits/month 15,300 search keywords
982,000 visits/month 29,900 search keywords

Investments
$25,000

Minimum investment amounts on CrowdStreet start at $25,000, with the exact threshold varying by individual project.

Investments
$250

The minimum investment on StartEngine typically starts from $250, with the average being around $500.


Moderate Risk
3/5

Investing via CrowdStreet entails typical real estate risks such as market fluctuations and property-specific issues, with no guarantee of returns and potential for capital loss.

High Risk
4/5

Investing on StartEngine carries risks including market volatility, liquidity challenges, regulatory changes, the high likelihood of company failure, dilution of shares, limited company information, and the absence of guaranteed returns.


Minimum Liquidity
1/5

CrowdStreet investments are generally illiquid, with capital committed for several years until a potential liquidity event, such as a property sale or refinancing, without a secondary market for early exit.

Minimum Liquidity
1/5

Liquidity on StartEngine Secondary varies due to its nature as a peer-to-peer trading platform with specific eligibility criteria and trading hours. Initially limited to companies that have raised on StartEngine, the platform's liquidity is influenced by the availability of securities and the matching of buy and sell orders within designated market hours.

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High Return
17.9 %

CrowdStreet has a historical 17.9% Realized IRR and a typical 3.1-year hold period for investments, with returns varying based on equity shares, debt interest, or hybrid terms, and property sales.

Not Predictable Return
N/P

Potential returns on investments are uncertain and vary. StartEngine's role ends after a company's capital raising concludes, leaving it without control or insight into post-offering investment activities.


Long-term Investment
3-10 years

CrowdStreet investments typically have a hold period of 3.1 years on average, with some ranging from 3-5 years and others up to 10 years, reflecting a long-term investment horizon.

Long-term Investment
5+ years

Investments through StartEngine typically have a long-term horizon, often requiring several years to potentially yield returns due to the early-stage nature of the companies.


Who can invest
United States

Individuals must be accredited U.S. residents with valid identification to invest on CrowdStreet, while entities need U.S. accreditation, taxation, and verification, subject to CrowdStreet's approval.

Who can invest
International

StartEngine allows anyone over 18 to invest. However, due to regulatory concerns, StartEngine does not currently accept investments from residents of the UK or Canada.


Moderate Volatility
3/5

Assets on CrowdStreet may experience volatility due to economic shifts, interest rate changes, and local market trends, affecting property values and investment returns.

Moderate Volatility
3/5

Assets on StartEngine, mainly shares in startups and early-stage companies, exhibit high volatility due to uncertain revenues, evolving business models, and market sensitivity.


Regulation and audits
SEC Regulated

CrowdStreet's offerings are regulated by the SEC and subject to regular audits for compliance, ensuring adherence to legal standards for securities and real estate investments. However, details on specific audits and regulations are not publicly disclosed.

Regulation and audits
SEC Regulated

StartEngine operates under strict regulatory oversight by the SEC and FINRA, ensuring adherence to investor protection and market integrity rules.


Insurance
Yes

CrowdStreet's properties are typically insured against physical damage, but this does not cover market risks or guarantee full property value protection. Investors should note that insurance mitigates, but doesn't eliminate, all investment risks.

Insurance
Yes

StartEngine's memberships with FINRA and SIPC signify its commitment to investor protection, with SIPC offering insurance against the loss of cash and securities if a broker-dealer goes bankrupt. However, it doesn't cover market loss.


Payouts
Dividends

CrowdStreet investors may receive distributions, typically on a quarterly basis, based on the cash flow and profitability of their investments, but these are not guaranteed and depend on the specifics of each project.

Payouts
No Recurring Payouts

Dividends on StartEngine depend on the individual company's policy and investment terms, with startups often reinvesting profits to fuel growth rather than distributing dividends.


Withdrawals

Investors on CrowdStreet typically receive their money back after a liquidity event like a property sale, based on the timeline of the specific project's business plan. Real estate investments are illiquid, so funds cannot be withdrawn on demand.

Withdrawals

Investors can withdraw available funds from their StartEngine Investment Account after a 10-day waiting period from the initial transfer, subject to providing additional information for security if needed.


Extra Fees
Yes

CrowdStreet investments may include sponsor-determined fees such as acquisition, asset management, and property management fees, along with performance-based carried interest.

Extra Fees
Yes

Investors may encounter a 3.5% processing fee on investments, depending on the company's choice. Wire transfers could have additional bank fees, while ACH and credit card investments don't have extra fees beyond the 3.5% if applicable. Trading on StartEngine Secondary is free for buying, but selling shares includes a 5% transaction fee.


Taxes
Tax Form

CrowdStreet issues Form K-1 or other relevant tax documents to investors for annual tax reporting, with the advice to consult a tax advisor for proper tax treatment of investments.

Taxes
Annual Statement

Investors must procure the necessary tax documents directly from the entities in which they have invested, since StartEngine does not distribute tax forms.

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