MarketX

MarketX, established in 2015 and based in San Francisco, operates as a global investment platform providing access to private market assets, with a focus on growth-stage and pre-IPO companies. The firm was founded by Cathryn Chen, who brings over a decade of experience in TMT investments across the US and Asia, including roles at Deutsche Bank, Rothschild, and JP Morgan. Her work on major IPOs like Alibaba and Xiaomi revealed a significant demand for pre-IPO shares, which directly inspired the creation of MarketX.

The company functions as a venture capital firm and a registered investment adviser (RIA), structuring investments through a Limited Liability Company (LLC) model. This structure allows accredited investors to gain exposure to private tech opportunities by purchasing membership interests in an LLC that holds the actual company shares. This approach aims to democratize access to a market traditionally reserved for institutional players by offering lower investment minimums. MarketX serves a client base of over 300 family offices, funds, and high-net-worth individuals, facilitating more than $250 million in transactions.

The business generates revenue through annual management fees and a carried interest on investment profits. The platform offers a curated selection of vetted investment opportunities, providing clients with details on each company's business model, product, team, and funding history to inform their decisions. MarketX's investment thesis targets sectors such as fintech, deep tech, SaaS, mobility, and space tech. The firm's portfolio includes notable past investments in companies like Bytedance, Postmates, and Palantir.

Keywords: private equity, pre-IPO investing, venture capital, investment platform, family offices, accredited investors, secondary markets, growth-stage companies, financial technology, cross-border investment