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History of the Pre-IPO Market

Written by EquityZen

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September 10, 2024

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2 min read

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The Evolution of the Pre-IPO Market: From the .com Crash to the Rise of Secondary Markets

Are you curious about the birth and evolution of the pre-IPO market?

In a recent video, EquityZen's Phil Haslett recounts the journey from the .com crash to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act that transformed the landscape for tech startups. The unintended consequence of staying private for much longer gave rise to secondary markets and platforms like EquityZen.

Disclosure

Not all pre-IPO companies will go public or be acquired, and not all IPOs or acquisitions are or will become successful investments. There are inherent risks in pre-IPO investments, including the risk of loss of the entire investment, illiquidity, and fluctuations in value and returns. Investors must be able to afford the loss of their entire investment.

Join Investors and Shareholders Exploring the Private Markets Today

Investment opportunities posted on this website are "private placements" of securities that are not publicly traded, are subject to holding period requirements, and are intended for investors who do not need a liquid investment. Investing in private companies may be considered highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk, including the risk of substantial loss of investment. Investors must be able to afford the loss of their entire investment. See our Risk Factors for a more detailed explanation of the risks involved by investing through EquityZen’s platform.

EquityZen Securities LLC (“EquityZen Securities”) is a subsidiary of EquityZen Inc. EquityZen Securities is a broker/dealer registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and is a FINRA/SIPC member firm.

Equity securities are offered through EquityZen Securities. Check the background of this firm on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.

EquityZen Inc. was awarded a 2024 Fintech Breakthrough Award by Tech Breakthrough LLC on March 19, 2025, based on the prior year and covering calendar year 2024, and has compensated FinTech Breakthrough LLC for use of its name and logo in connection with the award. FinTech Breakthrough LLC is a third party and has no affiliation with EquityZen.

EquityZen created the ticker symbols referenced on this page for use solely on the EquityZen platform. They do not refer to any publicly traded stock. EquityZen does not have an affiliation with, formal relationship with, or endorsement from any of the companies featured and none of the statements on the site should be attributed to those companies.

“Market Activity” and other transactional data displayed on this website is compiled by EquityZen and is confidential and historical in nature. Unauthorized use, distribution or reproduction is prohibited. Transactional information does not guarantee future investment results. EquityZen cannot guarantee finding or approving a transaction at any displayed price.

EquityZen.com is a website operated by EquityZen Inc. ("EquityZen"). By accessing this site and any pages thereof, you agree to be bound by our Terms of Use.

History of the Pre-IPO Market

The Evolution of the Pre-IPO Market: From the .com Crash to the Rise of Secondary Markets

Disclosure

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History of the Pre-IPO Market

The Evolution of the Pre-IPO Market: From the .com Crash to the Rise of Secondary Markets

Disclosure

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