Artificial Intelligence (AI) robotics is no longer just a vague, futuristic concept. It is now an expanding investment opportunity. Unfortunately, getting in before a company goes public can be quite tricky. For many investors, the main difficulty is knowing where to find legitimate private investment opportunities.
Other problems include who can access these opportunities, the minimum investments, and how to evaluate risks. If you’re considering buying shares in AI robotics startups before an Initial Public Offering (IPO), this updated September 2026 guide discusses several ways to do this.
Using Regulated Equity Crowdfunding
One way to buy pre-IPO shares in AI robotics startups is by creating an account on a regulated equity crowdfunding platform. These platforms allow you to purchase securities directly from these companies. However, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) warns that pre-IPO opportunities can carry significant risks of scams, making due diligence necessary.
Why this method works: You can buy shares in private companies for as low as $100 instead of needing thousands of dollars.
Tips for using regulated equity crowdfunding:
- Use trusted platforms
- Diversify your portfolio
- Understand limits
Expected outcome: If the AI robotics startup grows successfully and goes public via an IPO, your early shares could increase significantly in value.
Via Special-Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and Venture Funds
You can buy pre-IPO shares in private AI and robotics startups by pooling capital through specialized Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs). You can also access these companies by investing in late-stage venture funds.
Why this method works: SPVs combine smaller cash amounts from multiple accredited investors into a single, larger check that meets private placement minimums.
Tips for using SPVs and venture funds:
- Verify accreditation
- Review fee structures
- Check transfer restrictions and lock-ups
Expected outcome: You hold membership interests or financial rights that match your contribution. This means you benefit if the startup’s valuation rises or it successfully goes public.
Through Private Secondary Marketplaces
You can buy pre-IPO shares in AI robotics startups by creating accounts on specialized private secondary marketplaces and searching for specific companies. However, most of these platforms have strict financial eligibility rules.
Why this method works: It links early employees, former executives, or early angel investors who want to cash out their private stock with willing outside investors
Tips for using private secondary marketplaces:
- Verify your accreditation as an investor
- Consider fees and lock-ups
- Do your due diligence on the company
Expected outcome: You secure direct shares in high-growth artificial intelligence and hardware-software robotics companies before the public launch.
Here are some private secondary marketplaces for buying pre-IPO shares in AI robotics startups:
Forge Global
Accredited investor requirements/verification: To buy private equity on Forge Global, you must meet the Accredited Investor criteria defined by the SEC and FINRA. For instance, you must earn an income over $200,000 (or $300,000 with a spouse) in each of the two most recent years.
Pricing/fee structure: Forge charges a transaction fee between 2% and 4% upon a successful match and close. The fee varies based on transaction size, market dynamics, and lifetime trading volume.
How share transfers/ROFR (right of first refusal) work: Once a buyer and seller agree on terms, the transaction details are submitted to the issuing startup. The company has a contractual window, usually 30 to 45 days, to clear or match the trade.
Buyer vs. seller process differences: While buyers must prove accredited investor status and wire funds to escrow, sellers must verify legal ownership of the shares and receive payouts at closing.
Fund vs individual vs employee-shareholder access paths: Forge Global segments private market access into institutional funds, individual investors, and employee-shareholders. This differentiates participants by capital requirements, regulatory criteria, and transaction directions.
Use cases: Portfolio diversification, employee liquidity, and price discovery.
Gecko Robotics’ business model: It is a pre-IPO AI/robotics company with a $1.25 billion valuation. The company has roughly $60 million in revenue using the Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) model.
Broader pre-IPO/secondary market trends in the AI/robotics sector: The AI and robotics sectors continue to drive trading volume and late-stage private market valuations on Forge Global.
Forge Global is a digital marketplace that allows the trading of private company shares. Accredited individual investors, institutional funds, and startup employees can buy and sell pre-IPO shares of AI robotics startups on this platform. With 4.28 million industrial robots operating worldwide as of 2023, the industry continues to expand.
Pros
- Data insights
- Early valuation access
Cons
- Potential settlement delays
Hiive
Accredited investor requirements/verification: An income of over $200,000 individually or $300,000 with a spouse in each of the past two years. A network exceeding $1,000,000 USD also works. Certain transactions or specific issuer requirements require formal documentation.
Pricing/fee structure: Hiive lists maximum commissions of 4.85% for buyers and 5.75% for sellers, with lower rates for higher-volume transactions.
How share transfers/ROFR (right of first refusal) work: Direct share transfers are subject to the issuer company’s right of first refusal (ROFR). This enables the company or designated investors to match negotiated terms and repurchase the shares.
Buyer vs seller process differences: On Hiive, differences primarily involve regulatory verification, fee obligations, and communication rules.
Fund vs. individual vs. employee-shareholder access paths: Each category entails specific regulatory compliance requirements, transaction minimums, and platform interface options.
Use cases: Liquidity access for employee shareholders, cap table management, and transaction administration for private issuers.
Gecko Robotics’ business model: A vertically integrated Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) and data analytics model. It maintains ownership of its specialized hardware rather than functioning as a traditional equipment manufacturer.
Broader pre-IPO/secondary market trends in the AI/robotics sector: The pre-IPO secondary market for AI and robotics is experiencing record transaction volumes and higher private valuations as companies delay public listings.
Hiive operates as a secondary marketplace for pre-IPO investing. According to its LinkedIn page, it is a liquidity platform for private companies and their shareholders, including high-growth AI and robotics startups. With $258.7 billion invested in AI companies globally in 2025, this platform functions similarly to a traditional stock exchange by providing insights on specific pre-IPO stocks. For instance, you can review the investment insights for Gecko Robotics before buying its shares on the platform.
Pros
- A live order book
- Free special purpose vehicles
Cons
- Information asymmetry
EquityZen
Accredited investor requirements/verification: To buy pre-IPO shares through EquityZen funds, users must prove Accredited Investor status under SEC rules.
Pricing/fee structure: EquityZen charges a one-time upfront transaction fee of 2.5% for most standard buyer-seller transactions. This fee goes down to 2% for larger investments.
How share transfers/ROFR (right of first refusal) work: Following a transfer notice, the company evaluates the terms during a typical 30-day review period. It may waive the right, let it expire, or exercise its right to buy back the shares.
Buyer vs seller process differences: The buyer process on EquityZen requires accredited status and capital deployment into an SPV fund. Conversely, the seller process involves submitting equity details and navigating corporate transfer restrictions.
Fund vs individual vs employee-shareholder access paths: These pathways operate under different regulatory and legal frameworks to facilitate transactions between sellers and accredited investors.
Use cases: Portfolio diversification, access for accredited investors, and liquidity for private company employees and shareholders.
Gecko Robotics’ business model: Gecko Robotics operates a vertically integrated Robotics-as-a-Service and data analytics business model. While it remains a private enterprise, its shares are occasionally accessible for secondary trading among accredited investors.
Broader pre-IPO/secondary market trends in the AI/robotics sector: AI and robotics are commanding high valuation premiums and surging investor demand.
EquityZen is a private secondary marketplace that connects shareholders of venture-backed startups with accredited investors. The platform provides liquidity to private companies before they go public or get acquired. For individuals targeting the surging AI and robotics sectors, EquityZen provides access, especially since AI firms captured 61% of global venture capital in 2025.
Pros
- Low minimums
- Off-ramp deals
Cons
- Premium valuations
Nasdaq Private Market
Accredited investor requirements/verification: Investors must qualify as an accredited investor or qualified purchaser under SEC regulations. Verification requires uploading third-party documentation through Nasdaq Private Market’s portal.
Pricing/fee structure: Nasdaq Private Market charges a success-based transaction commission of up to 4% of the total notional value, payable upon trade closing.
How share transfers/ROFR (right of first refusal) work: A ROFR grants the issuing company the right to purchase a shareholder’s stock on terms matching a third-party offer before any transfer is finalized.
Buyer vs seller process differences: On Nasdaq Private Market, buyers must meet financial accreditation standards and complete onboarding questionnaires. Conversely, sellers typically verify their existing equity holdings without formal accreditation requirements.
Fund vs individual vs employee-shareholder access paths: While institutional and individual buyer pathways require SEC accreditation, the employee-shareholder path permits non-accredited sellers to monetize their equity.
Use cases: Secondary block transaction management, post-trade settlement, and proprietary private-market data analytics.
Gecko Robotics’ business model: Gecko Robotics operates a vertically integrated Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) and software enterprise model.
Broader pre-IPO/secondary market trends in the AI/robotics sector: Secondary trading demand has surged due to major filings by huge AI companies.
Nasdaq Private Market (NPM) is a platform that links accredited buyers with secondary liquidity for private tech companies, including pre-IPO AI and robotics startups. Given that startups now take an average of 12 years to IPO, this platform offers integrated private-company market data and a proprietary settlement system.
Pros
- Data transparency
- Issuer control
Cons
- High transaction costs
Comparing These Private Secondary Marketplaces
One of the most straightforward ways of buying pre-IPO shares in AI robotics startups is through private secondary marketplaces. However, choosing one that matches your needs can be tricky. That is why you must compare them carefully:
|
Secondary Marketplace |
Key Feature |
Best For |
Limitation |
|
Forge Global |
Data insights and early valuation access |
Portfolio diversification and early-stage access |
Potential settlement delays |
|
Hiive |
Live order book and SPV access |
Employee liquidity transactions |
Information asymmetry |
|
EquityZen |
SPV-based access to private companies |
Portfolio diversification for accredited investors |
High valuations |
|
Nasdaq Private Market |
Data transparency and issuer control |
Secondary block transactions and settlement |
High transaction costs |
Conclusion
You now know how to invest in AI robotics startups before they IPO through regulated equity crowdfunding, SPVs, venture funds, and private secondary marketplaces. Before investing, consider accessibility, investor requirements, fees, liquidity restrictions, company fundamentals, and the risks.
Next Steps
- Compare investment methods based on your eligibility and budget
- Review fees, minimums, and restrictions
- Research the underlying AI robotics companies and their risks
- Choose a method that fits your financial goals and risk tolerance
FAQ
Can non-accredited investors buy AI robotics startup shares?
Regulated equity crowdfunding can give non-accredited investors access to eligible private offerings. However, many secondary marketplaces require accredited investor status.
What happens if a startup never goes public?
Investors may need to hold their shares longer than expected if a startup does not go public. In this case, returns depend on acquisition opportunities or secondary-market liquidity.
How should investors value a private AI robotics startup?
Consider revenue growth, valuation, business model, market demand, and competitive position. Review the company’s ability to scale and its funding history.