FinovateFall 2016 / MarketX
Presenter Profile:
How they describe themselves: MarketX is an online investment platform for investors to access the pre-IPO shares of high-growth US startups. We connect international investors in Asia with early shareholders of US companies such as Uber, Airbnb, and Snapchat. We work with a network of 8,500 angels and family offices across the US, Europe, and Asia to foster a community of cross-border investors and US-based entrepreneurs. MarketX is on a mission to democratize private investments globally; we believe in making it possible for everybody to invest in the proven pre-IPO companies they love.
How they describe their product/innovation: MarketX is the first cross-border marketplace that allows you to learn about alternative investing, browse deals, and invest in quality pre-IPO companies. MarketX provides increased transparency and connectivity amongst our shareholders and investors. We leverage blockchain technology to prove the ownership and integrity of the private shares. With our platform, we have helped our investors to execute $100,000 transactions profitably and we have built a pipeline of primary and secondary investment opportunities worth over $500M. As a pre-IPO investor and shareholder, you can now find liquidity from international markets.
Product distribution strategy: Direct to Consumer (B2C), Direct to Business (B2B)
Contacts:
Bus. Dev., Press & Sales: Cathryn Chen, Founder cathryn.chen@themarketx.com
Website: themarketx.com
Blog: themarketx.com/blog
HQ: San Francisco, CA
Founded: March 2015
Product Demoed: MarketX
Product Launch: October 2016
Metrics: MarketX has grown to 10 employees with three offices globally. Raised $1.8mm in funding to date. On pace to reach $500 million of equity on its platform this year. MarketX currently has 8,500 angel networks from 59 countries using the platform for deal flow and has 3 major partnerships with key wealth management companies in China.
Presenters: Cathryn Chen (CEO & Founder), Han Lai (Head of Product)
- Key Executives
Cathryn Chen (CEO & Founder), Han-Sheong Lai (Head of Product)
Key Stats
- Key Investors
China’s Angel Club, the equivalent of the PayPal Mafia. Select members include: Kai-fu Lee (Ex-Chairman of Google China), Boquan He (Ex-Chairman of Robust Group & Co-Founder, Noah Holdings), Liqing Zeng (Ex-COO, Tencent)
- Key Advisory Board Members
Scott McIntyre (President, CfPA, Commonwealth Group),
John Pigott (CEO & Founder, BondPoint, ABE Exchange), Ivan Shyr (Investment Director, Sussex Place Ventures), Samuel Guzik (ex President, Crowdfunding Association of America), Candace Johnson (President, EBAN European Business Angels Network)
- Key Partnerships
EBAN, ACA, Noah Wealth Management, Tech Coast Angels, TusStar, Henry Global, CfPA, Heima.org, Ethereum Foundation/ Vitalik Buterin, Stampery