The companies listed on TradeWinds platform are typically privately held companies, and their shares are not traded on a public stock exchange. As a result, the shares cannot be easily traded or sold. As an investor in a private company, you typically receive a return on your investment under the following two scenarios:
1. The company gets acquired by another company.
2. The company goes public (undergoes an initial public offering on the NASDAQ, NYSE, or another exchange).
In those instances, you receive your pro-rata share of the distributions that occur. It can take 3-9 years (or longer) to see a distribution, as it takes years to build companies. In many cases, there will not be any distribution as a result of business failure.
Neither TradeWinds Financial Group nor LightPath Capital, Inc. make investment recommendations and no communication, through this website or in any other medium should be construed as a recommendation for any security offered on or off this investment platform. This website is intended solely for accredited investors. Investments in private placements and start-up investments in particular are speculative and involve a high degree of risk and those investors who cannot afford to lose their entire investment should not invest in start-ups. Companies seeking start-up investments tend to be in earlier stages of development and their business model, products and services may not yet be fully developed, operational or tested in the public marketplace. There is no guarantee that the stated valuation and other terms are accurate or in agreement with the market or industry valuations. Additionally, investors may receive restricted stock that may be subject to holding period requirements. The most sensible investment strategy for start-up investing may include a balanced portfolio of different start-ups. Start-ups should only be part of your overall investment portfolio. Investments in start-ups are highly illiquid and those investors who cannot hold an investment for the long term (at least 5-7 years) should not invest.