As pre-IPO shares become more recognized as valuable assets, there are several offerings now available in the market for individuals to get access to early liquidity. We don’t provide loans at Liquid Stock, but we’ve observed this solution potentially reemerging as an option for private company equity-holders in the marketplace as the void left by…

With some experts still predicting a recession in the near future, option holders and shareholders at private companies should consider the myriad of challenges and opportunities that an economic slowdown may present. With careful planning and strategic thinking, equity holders can increase their chances of coming out ahead. What follows are a few focus areas…

In the current market climate, where IPOs are uncertain and valuations are a challenge, there could be an uptick in venture-backed companies getting acquired. While an acquisition can be a positive outcome, it can pay to be prepared.  Here are a few key points to keep in mind if you anticipate that your company may…

Recently, there has been a surge of interest surrounding OpenAI’s viral employee compensation packages. These packages notably incorporate equity grants known as profit participation units (PPUs), and are sparking widespread curiosity across Silicon Valley. If you’re interested in learning more about PPUs and other types of equity grants more commonly seen at private companies in…

The M&A landscape of 2023 has proven challenging to date. Despite clocking in at $1.3 trillion year-to-date, global M&A remains 38% lower than the same period in 2022. Federal Reserve tightening, a mismatch between buyer and seller expectations, and a vigilant FTC appear to have led companies to navigate these uncertain waters with heightened caution.…

In January of this year, we sat down with Liquid Stock’s Founding Partner, Greg Martin, to get his thoughts on what the 2023 IPO market was shaping up to look like. With the second half of the year in full swing, and a lot of shifting in the market, we sat down again with Greg…

One of the most frequent questions founders and employees ask Liquid Stock is, “What is my stock worth?” This question has become even more prevalent as the public and private technology markets have experienced significant valuation compression followed by a quicker than anticipated resurgence. The question is so crucial to the ending net worth of founders…

Stripe has been one of the most anticipated prospective IPOs in recent years, but when IPO activity slowed in 2022, the likelihood of Stripe going public in the near future decreased. This created new challenges for the company, which had granted equity that might expire before the IPO window reopened. Stripe reacted by raising a…

In a recent blog, we dove into what exactly a Rule 701 disclosure is, and how it can help startup employees evaluate the value of their company’s shares. Similar to a Rule 701 disclosure, a 409A valuation can offer insightful information on your company and the broader market. We often speak with employees who want…