Unlocking Pre-IPO Investing with Retirement Accounts: StartEngine And Equity Trust

A major barrier for many individual investors is significantly lowered.

On May 2, 2025, StartEngine announced a strategic integration with Equity Trust Company, one of the nation’s leading self-directed IRA custodians. This partnership makes it dramatically easier for investors to use their IRAs (Traditional, Roth, SEP, and others) to invest in high-growth private companies and pre-IPO opportunities directly on the StartEngine platform.

This collaboration is a game-changer for retirement savers who want greater exposure to private markets while keeping the powerful tax advantages of their retirement accounts.

Why This Partnership Matters

Previously, investing in private companies with retirement funds often required complex paperwork, multiple custodians, high fees, and lengthy approval processes. The StartEngine + Equity Trust integration simplifies everything:

Seamless account opening and funding through StartEngine
Direct investment in both primary offerings and secondary market opportunities
Tax-advantaged growth on potentially high-upside private investments
Lower barriers compared to traditional private equity channels

How to Get Started: Step-by-Step Guide

Getting started is straightforward. Here are the main steps:

Set up your StartEngine IRA Account Open a self-directed IRA through StartEngine’s partnership with Equity Trust. → Set up your IRA account here
Fund your IRA Transfer or roll over funds from an existing retirement account (or make a new contribution, subject to IRS limits).
Browse and invest in offerings Once funded, you can invest in live campaigns — including FC Development Corp.’s current offering for The Farmer’s Cow®. → View FC Development Corp. / The Farmer’s Cow® offering
Complete the investment Follow the simple in-platform process. Detailed step-by-step instructions are available in StartEngine’s help center. → How to invest using your IRA – Full guide

A Real-World Opportunity: FCDC & The Farmer’s Cow® on StartEngine

As an example of what’s now possible, FC Development Corp. (the brand management and expansion partner for The Farmer’s Cow®) is currently live on StartEngine. Our campaign allows investors to participate in a mission-driven agribusiness that combines premium retail dairy, fast-casual dining, and clean energy initiatives — all while supporting American family farms.

With the IRA integration, investors can now use retirement funds to back this and other high-potential private opportunities on the platform.

The Bottom Line

The partnership between StartEngine and Equity Trust is more than a technical upgrade — it’s a meaningful expansion of access to private markets for everyday investors. It brings professional-grade opportunities into retirement accounts in a much more user-friendly and cost-effective way.

For those looking to diversify their retirement portfolio with private market exposure, this development removes many of the previous logistical hurdles.

Ready to explore?

Visit the links above to learn more or begin the process.

Important Note: Investing in private companies involves substantial risk, including illiquidity and the potential loss of principal. Retirement account investments carry additional IRS rules and tax considerations. Always review offering documents carefully and consult with a qualified financial or tax advisor before investing.

This Reg CF offering is made available through StartEngine Primary, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment.