Start engine Shartify Rank

Here is a reputation evaluation of StartEngine and its official website startengine.com based on the available information:

Legitimacy and Trustworthiness

• StartEngine is a legitimate and leading equity crowdfunding platform in the U.S., founded in 2014 and headquartered in Los Angeles, CA.

• It is SEC-registered and FINRA-member through its subsidiaries, operating under Regulation Crowdfunding and Regulation A+ to facilitate investments in startups and early-growth companies.

• The official website startengine.com is secure and serves as the primary portal for investing, fundraising, and managing equity crowdfunding offerings.

Brand Reputation and Market Position

• StartEngine is recognized as one of the top equity crowdfunding platforms, having hosted over 1,100 successful funding rounds and raised approximately $1.3 billion for more than 1,000 companies.

• It boasts a community of over 1 million investors and has been a key player in democratizing startup investments, allowing both accredited and non-accredited investors to participate.

• The platform has gained trust among founders and investors, with 25% of all equity crowdfunding investments since 2023 made via StartEngine, the highest share of any platform.

Scam Risk and Consumer Vigilance

• As a regulated platform, StartEngine maintains compliance with SEC and FINRA rules, reducing inherent scam risks typical in unregulated crowdfunding.

• However, investors should remain cautious, as investing in startups carries inherent financial risks, including loss of capital and illiquidity.

• StartEngine provides educational resources and transparency about investment risks but users must perform due diligence on individual offerings.

Customer Support and Resolution

• StartEngine offers support through its website and help center, including guidance on investing, fundraising, and platform usage.

• The company also provides a referral program and secondary market trading for eligible securities, enhancing investor flexibility.

• Some user feedback highlights the complexity of startup investing and the need for clear communication, but overall support infrastructure is solid.

Overall Reputation Score Estimation (0 to 10)

Overall estimated reputation score for startengine.com: 8.0 / 10

Summary

StartEngine is a reputable and well-regulated equity crowdfunding platform that empowers everyday investors to participate in startup funding. Its secure and compliant website, strong market presence, and large investor community contribute to a solid reputation. While investment risks inherent to startups remain, StartEngine provides transparency and educational support to help users make informed decisions. This evaluation balances StartEngine’s legitimacy and leadership in crowdfunding with the caution needed when investing in early-stage companies.

This assessment is based on regulatory status, market data, platform features, and user feedback to provide a comprehensive reputation overview.