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The hunt is over… and the results are golden. 🐣✨ The April edition of #MonthlyMovers is live, spotlighting the private companies that saw the largest surge in investor demand this past month. From established heavyweights to emerging names finally breaking out of their shells, these were the rising companies added to investor watchlists as spring hit its stride. 🥇 Span.IO 🥈 Substack 🥉 Divergent 3D ⭐ Legora ⭐ Altos Labs ⭐ Skyroot Aerospace ⭐ Isomorphic Labs ⭐ Chainalysis ⭐ Fluidstack ⭐ Physical Intelligence There are inherent risks in pre-IPO investments, including the risk of loss of the entire investment, illiquidity, and fluctuations in value and returns. This information is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation or personal financial advice. Use of this information is at the user's discretion and risk. All company names and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

Private Markets: The "Illiquid Bucket" in Your Portfolio 🪣 Are you looking to foray into private markets but aren't sure where to start? In this clip, EquityZen’s Phil Haslett breaks down the mental framework investors need when choosing between evergreen funds and SPVs. Key takeaways: ✅ Liquidity matters: Treat private investments as the "illiquid bucket" of your investment allocation. This is a long-term play, not a replacement for public equities. ✅ Capture growth early: With companies staying private longer, the "Amazon-level" growth is happening before the IPO. ✅ Due diligence is non-negotiable: If an SPV deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Read the full breakdown on the evolution of private market access here: 🔗 hubs.la/Q04g5MZG0 This information is intended for reference only and does not constitute a recommendation or personal financial advice. There are inherent risks in pre-IPO investments, including the risk of loss of the entire investment, illiquidity, and fluctuations in value and returns. Investors must be able to afford the loss of their entire investment.

Don’t let the excitement of a private market opportunity cloud your due diligence. 🧠 As EquityZen Head of Market Insight Bri Lynch explains, when a market grows, new players rush in. But not all structures are created equal. Between GP pedigree and "hidden" layers of fees, your break-even point might be much higher than you realize. If the company last raised at $20/share, but fees push your entry to $30/share, that’s a massive hurdle to clear before you even see a profit. 📊 At EquityZen, we believe transparency is the foundation of a smart investment. Learn how to navigate these structures in our latest guide: 👉 hubs.la/Q04fYLRd0 #DueDiligence #PrivateEquity #InvestingTips #EquityZen #AlternativeAssets This information is intended for reference only and does not constitute a recommendation or personal financial advice. Use of this information is at the user's discretion and risk.

Headline: Is the era of deep secondary discounts officially over? 📉 EquityZen’s Q1 2026 data shows a shift in the private markets. Activity on our platform shows that the average trading discounts have decreased from 49% at the start of 2024 to just 8% this past quarter. As investor demand heats up, the window for "deep value" plays is closing, while the return of the premium is here, with 34% of trades now happening above the last primary round. Get the full breakdown of Q1 trends and what this means for the pre-IPO landscape on our blog: 🔗 hubs.la/Q04fymjh0 #PrivateMarkets #SecondaryMarket #PreIPO #InvestingTrends #EquityZen This information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to predict or project the performance of any company or industry.

The landscape of private market investing is shifting beneath our feet. As EquityZen’s Bri Lynch highlights, private wealth-focused evergreen funds have already surpassed $350B in AUM, and analysts project that number to cross the $1 trillion mark within the next three years (Morningstar). This explosion in capital is finally giving individual investors a seat at the table with high-growth names like OpenAI and Ramp. In our latest deep dive, we explore how these evergreen funds and SPVs are democratizing access to the private markets. Read the full breakdown here: hubs.la/Q04fsVzq0 #PrivateMarkets #Investing #OpenAI #EvergreenFunds #EquityZen #AlternativeInvestments There are inherent risks in pre-IPO investments, including the risk of loss of the entire investment, illiquidity, and fluctuations in value and returns. Investors must be able to afford the loss of their entire investment.

$18 Trillion. That is the projected AUM for private markets by 2027 (S&P Global). We are witnessing the maturation of an ecosystem where "private" no longer means "illiquid." According to recent data: • Tender activity in Q1 2026 is already pacing to match record highs (Pitchbook) • 17.1% of all unicorns have utilized tenders to facilitate shareholder liquidity (CB Insights) • Non-tender secondaries on EquityZen more than doubled in volume year-over-year (EquityZen) 🔓Learn how platforms like EquityZen are democratizing access to private market liquidity: ezen.fyi/3QUlgu7 #MarketData #VentureCapital #Secondaries #EquityZen Not all pre-IPO companies will go public or be acquired, and not all IPOs or acquisitions are or will become successful investments. There are inherent risks in pre-IPO investments, including the risk of loss of the entire investment, illiquidity, and fluctuations in value and returns.

Who’s winning the race for investor attention in 2026? EquityZen’s Q1 data shows a "Hard Tech Surge," with massive jumps for companies in: 🛡️ Defense + Robotics (XTEND, Mach Industries) ⚡ Energy + Resources (KoBold Metals, EnergyX) 🚀 Space + AI Infrastructure (Impulse Space, VAST Data) Investors are looking beyond the screen and into the physical infrastructure powering the future. Check out the full Private Company Investment Trends, Q1 2026 on EquityZen hubs.la/Q04dXTlz0 #PrivateMarkets #VentureCapital #HardTech #InvestingTrends #EquityZen There are inherent risks in pre-IPO investments, including the risk of loss of the entire investment, illiquidity, and fluctuations in value and returns. This information is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation or personal financial advice. Use of this information is at the user's discretion and risk. All company names and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

The private markets are no longer a niche alternative…they’re a $13 trillion powerhouse. (State Street) But as companies stay private longer, the biggest barrier to entry isn't capital; it’s information. While public markets offer real-time transparency, the private sector has historically been a "black box." That’s changing. From BlackRock’s $3.2B acquisition of Preqin to S&P Global’s recent moves, the world’s financial titans are proving that data is the new currency. (BlackRock) (S&P Global) At EquityZen, we’ve spent 13 years building a bridge to transparency with: • Real transaction data from 52,000+ completed trades. • Deep-dive Cap Table clarity. • Market sentiment driven by 800,000+ members. (EquityZen Data) Stop guessing and start investing with insights. Read our full breakdown on why data is the key to the private market landscape: 🔗 hubs.la/Q04dKcd70 #PrivateMarkets #Investing #EquityZen #FinTech #DataIntelligence #PrivateEquity There are inherent risks in pre-IPO investments, including the risk of loss of the entire investment, illiquidity, and fluctuations in value and returns.

The private markets just had a historic start to 2026. 💰 $300B invested globally (up 150% QoQ) 🤖 AI captured 80% of all venture funding 🦄 1,300+ unicorns waiting in the wings worth $6.4T in value While mega-rounds like OpenAI’s $122B dominate the headlines, what does this mean for individual investors and the secondary market? Check out EquityZen’s Q1 2026 Private Company Investment Trends report: hubs.la/Q04dc7X00 (Source: Crunchbase) Past performance does not guarantee future results. Not all pre-IPO companies will go public or be acquired, and not all IPOs or acquisitions are or will become successful investments. There are inherent risks in pre-IPO investments, including the risk of loss of the entire investment, illiquidity, and fluctuations in value and returns.

AI is still king, but "Hard Tech" is coming for the crown. 👑 🛠️ In Q1 2026, we saw a dramatic reshuffle on the EquityZen leaderboard: ✅ AI stays at #1 (2+ years running) 📈 Aerospace hits #2 🏗️ Manufacturing climbs to #4 📉 Fintech drops to #5 Investors are balancing their appetite for AI with a focus on companies building for the physical world. Read the full Private Company Investment Trends, Q1 2026 on EquityZen: hubs.la/Q04cTwN60 There are inherent risks in pre-IPO investments, including the risk of loss of the entire investment, illiquidity, and fluctuations in value and returns. This information is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation or personal financial advice.

Navigating the world of alternative investments starts with understanding what opportunities are available to you. 📊 While "Accredited Investor" and "Qualified Purchaser" are often used interchangeably, the differences in financial thresholds and access are significant. If you are looking at your first pre-IPO investment, knowing your status is the first step to building a private market strategy. We’re breaking down the income, net worth, professional designations and investment requirements for both categories on the blog. Read the full breakdown here: hubs.la/Q04cLRfq0 #AlternativeInvestments #PrivateEquity #AccreditedInvestor #Investing #EquityZen

Female founders are leading in the private markets, and the data proves it. ✨ We’re thrilled to be featured in Entrepreneur Loop, highlighting the "Power Pivot" strategies that are helping women-led companies reach new heights. While 2026 is seeing record highs for female founders, the journey is far from over. We’re breaking down the milestones achieved and the work still to be done in our latest blog post. Read the State of Female Founders report here: 🔗 hubs.la/Q04bpX3s0

The "backdoor exit" is under fire. 🛡️ In the era of AI, we’re seeing a rise in the #Acquihire, where Big Tech giants bypass traditional acquisitions to snag elite talent and IP, often leaving investors and the cap table behind. But the industry is fighting back. A new wave of startups is adopting "Anti-Leapfrog" provisions in their corporate charters to ensure that: ✅ IP licensing + mass hiring is legally treated as a sale. ✅ Founder payouts are capped to protect the liquidation waterfall. ✅ Investors maintain their voting rights in talent-heavy deals. Is the traditional acquihire as we know it coming to an end? Dive into how modern charters are closing the loop: hubs.la/Q04b29P60 #VentureCapital #Startups #AI #Acquihire #TechTrends #Investing Not all pre-IPO companies will go public or be acquired, and not all IPOs or acquisitions are or will become successful investments. There are inherent risks in pre-IPO investments, including the risk of loss of the entire investment, illiquidity, and fluctuations in value and returns.

As pre-IPO markets grow, choosing a platform requires doing some due diligence to mitigate risks. Not all marketplaces are equal: "zero-fee" models often hide aggressive share markups. Why EquityZen stands out: • Proven Track Record: 13+ years of experience and 51,000+ completed transactions. • Investor-Friendly Terms: $5,000 investment minimums and the market’s lowest one-time fees for single-company funds with no ongoing management or carried fees. • Data-Driven Insights: Access to capitalization table analysis, reference prices, and funding info for hundreds of private companies. • Structural Integrity: Prioritizing company-approved transactions to ensure issuer alignment and support valid share transfers. Don't settle for a "free lunch" that costs you more in the long run. Learn how to evaluate your investment platform: ezen.fyi/3PUc7kR

March Madness isn't just about basketball…the court is heating up for private companies, too. 🏆✨ The March edition of #MonthlyMovers is here, featuring the companies EquityZen investors went mad for this month. From "Cinderella" underdogs to top-seeded breakout stars, see which names dominated the highlights and climbed the ranks. 🥇 Impulse Space 🥈 Nuro 🥉 Confidential AI Infrastructure Company ⭐ Thinking Machine Labs ⭐ Mercury ⭐ Epirus ⭐ VAST Data ⭐ Mach Industries ⭐ Skydio ⭐ Saronic There are inherent risks in pre-IPO investments, including the risk of loss of the entire investment, illiquidity, and fluctuations in value and returns. This information is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation or personal financial advice. Use of this information is at the user's discretion and risk. All company names and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

There’s no better way to wrap up Women’s History Month than by highlighting the female founders currently reshaping the private markets. The venture capital landscape is evolving, and female-led startups are at the forefront of 2026’s most innovative sectors, from AI to aerospace. But while we celebrate record-breaking valuations, we’re also looking at the structural shifts still needed to level the playing field for good. 💡 Curious about the state of female-led private companies right now and what it means for the future of investing? Read our full analysis here: hubs.la/Q0492T6N0 Not all pre-IPO companies will go public or be acquired, and not all IPOs or acquisitions are or will become successful investments. There are inherent risks in pre-IPO investments, including the risk of loss of the entire investment, illiquidity, and fluctuations in value and returns.

Is headcount growth the ultimate leading indicator for the next generation of decacorns? 🦄👀 While revenue is the final arbiter, headcount velocity may signal product-market fit and the capital to capture it. We analyzed the data to find 10 private powerhouses, including Ramp, Sierra, and Anduril, that are doubling (or tripling) their workforce to meet surging demand. From AI-native security to autonomous defense, these are the companies defining the next era of tech. See the full list of the Top 10 High-Growth Standouts here 👉 hubs.la/Q048TYd70 Not all pre-IPO companies will go public or be acquired, and not all IPOs or acquisitions are or will become successful investments.

How do you know if a pre-IPO fund is actually a smart investment opportunity? 🧐 As "semi-liquid" evergreen funds gain popularity, investors need to look under the hood. We’re breaking down: 🚩The Price vs. Value Disconnect ⚖️ Why the nuances of liquidity matter 💸How compounding fees impact returns 🛡️Why company approval is non-negotiable Full breakdown here: hubs.la/Q048gyLl0 Not all pre-IPO companies will go public or be acquired, and not all IPOs or acquisitions are or will become successful investments. There are inherent risks in pre-IPO investments, including the risk of loss of the entire investment, illiquidity, and fluctuations in value and returns.

Why are investors suddenly paying 144% premiums for defense tech? (Source: EquityZen data) It comes down to a massive supply-demand imbalance. While the AI sector is crowded with nearly 400 unicorns, Aerospace + Defense has only 22. 🎯 Get the data behind the trend: hubs.la/Q047YgVM0 Not all pre-IPO companies will go public or be acquired, and not all IPOs or acquisitions are or will become successful investments. There are inherent risks in pre-IPO investments, including the risk of loss of the entire investment, illiquidity, and fluctuations in value and returns.