StartEngine is an equity crowdfunding platform that allows everyday people to invest and own shares in startups and early-stage companies. StartEngine has helped over 300 entrepreneurs raise over $125M in capital.
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Is StartEngine legit?
StartEngine (www.startengine.com) has a 4.3 out of 5 rating on OK.one, based on 103 user reviews collected here. It is listed under Money & Insurance and its reputation is good. 84% of reviews are 4 stars or higher and 14% are 1 star; The business has replied to 94% of negative reviews; Reviews mostly discuss User experience, Customer service, Product. Last updated 2026-08-31.
What reviewers say
AI generated
Reviewers had a great experience with this company. Customers find the platform very easy to navigate and appreciate how simple it is to invest in various unique startups. People also mention that purchasing shares is remarkably straightforward, and communication throughout the entire investment process remains clear and helpful. Many users love the opportunity to support upcoming growth companies that are otherwise unavailable elsewhere.
However, some customers also noted that customer service can be slow and difficult to reach when questions or technical issues arise. Reviewers mentioned facing frustrating delays, explaining that getting timely answers or resolving account problems proved quite challenging.
Auto-generated from all reviews of this business. For reference only.
I have a number of investments both on SE and other similar platforms. In 2025 two of those investments closed their doors. The other platform sent a K-1, as the company has ceased to exist (no money/broke, etc), in order to fulfill the reporting requirements the IRS requires.
When I contacted SE I was told "not our problem" - the former website and CEO are no longer reachable, but StartEngine doesn't care - there is ZERO post investment support - a big fat ZERO.
DO NOT use StartEngine - STAY AWAY. They do not care about your investment - ONLY that you make 1 or more via their platform and they collect their fees.
Reply from StartEngine2026-04-15
Hello,
Thank you for your feedback, and we’re sorry for any confusion or frustration regarding tax documents.
For investments made through our platform, tax documents are typically issued directly by the companies you’ve invested in—not by StartEngine. In many cases, companies are not required to issue tax forms unless there has been a taxable event, such as dividends being distributed.
We understand this may not be the experience you were expecting, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. If you have specific questions about a particular investment, we recommend reaching out to the company directly, and we’re always here to help point you in the right direction if needed.
Thank you for your understanding.
– The StartEngine Team
I trusted this company with my retirement savings but never received insights with the companies I invested for. Only a small portion of the firms insights was delivered, and repeated attempts to contact them have gone unanswered. I'm leaving this review in the hope that someone finally responds and explains when the rest will be delivered.
I am satisfied with my progress on #Echomines. I don't need to keep sending reminders just to access my money. Everything moves when it should.
I have been on the platform for years. I have had public exits, but experienced: 1) I was so diluted, my investment was charitable giving. 2) The company I invested in doesn't make my shares available for public trade and doesn't respond to my emails. The bottom line is that StartEngine is not managing your investments. You have to be responsible for your relationship with the companies you invest in, and they may not be responsive. I believe that new private investment funds for small investors are a more promising model than crowdfunding on a platform like this.
I have added the following after the company comments: I am not suggesting the company is acting in contrary to their terms. I am only suggesting that making money from this Platofrm appears unlikely. The company did not address being ignored by the companies that have had exits, and not providing the investor (me) their public traded shares despite me reaching out. If more money were involved, I'd get a lawyer; not to fight Start Engine, but the companies I 'invested' in. StartEngine doesn't control the companies one invests in. I am only warning. More than diluted, I have zero, despite exit transactions. I have not had the opportunity to know whether I would be profitable or not. This happened once with a Start Engine 'investment', and once at Republic, both of which have a similar model.
Reply from StartEngine2026-03-02
StartEngine provides investors an opportunity to invest in early-stage start-ups. What this means is that you are often investing in early stage companies. Investments in these types of companies are risky by their nature, and many often fail without any element of fraud or misconduct.
As we try to remind you in various places throughout the website, including in the educational materials which all users agree to when creating an account, the universal website footer, and every investment agreement used in conjunction with any offering on our platform, these investments are speculative, illiquid, and involve a high degree of risk including the possible loss of your entire investment.
Even if a company is successful, it takes some time, often years, before an investor can have an opportunity to realize any returns on these types of investments. While we wish all the companies who raise our platform the best of success, we also encourage investors to remember when making any investments through the platform that all investments are speculative, illiquid, and involve a high degree of risk including the possible loss of your entire investment, and to take this risk under consideration and invest responsibly.
To learn more about investing with StartEngine, please check out our Help Guide: https://help.startengine.com
A very high rate of companies provide no information once you invest and that includes StartEngine itself. They have no commitment to going public so your money may never be returned or allow you the opportunity to sell despite the fact they claim to constantly increase their revenues.
Reply from StartEngine2026-03-02
StartEngine provides investors an opportunity to invest in early-stage start-ups. What this means is that you are often investing in early stage companies. Investments in these types of companies are risky by their nature, and many often fail without any element of fraud or misconduct.
As we try to remind you in various places throughout the website, including in the educational materials which all users agree to when creating an account, the universal website footer, and every investment agreement used in conjunction with any offering on our platform, these investments are speculative, illiquid, and involve a high degree of risk including the possible loss of your entire investment.
Even if a company is successful, it takes some time, often years, before an investor can have an opportunity to realize any returns on these types of investments. While we wish all the companies who raise our platform the best of success, we also encourage investors to remember when making any investments through the platform that all investments are speculative, illiquid, and involve a high degree of risk including the possible loss of your entire investment, and to take this risk under consideration and invest responsibly.
To learn more about investing with StartEngine, please check out our Help Guide: https://help.startengine.com
Stay away from this company. It is legal on paper but you will never see a dime of your money again. You are basically donating to the companies, not investing, and will never have a way to get money back or make money from your donation. It’s a racket. Start Engine makes a killing off of tricking an manipulating people into donating under the pretense of it being a legitimate investment. It’s a great deal for the companies getting free money from the suckers, but horrible for anyone that puts money in.
Reply from StartEngine2026-02-20
StartEngine provides investors an opportunity to invest in early-stage start-ups. What this means is that you are often investing in early stage companies. Investments in these types of companies are risky by their nature, and many often fail without any element of fraud or misconduct.
As we try to remind you in various places throughout the website, including in the educational materials which all users agree to when creating an account, the universal website footer, and every investment agreement used in conjunction with any offering on our platform, these investments are speculative, illiquid, and involve a high degree of risk including the possible loss of your entire investment.
Even if a company is successful, it takes some time, often years, before an investor can have an opportunity to realize any returns on these types of investments. While we wish all the companies who raise our platform the best of success, we also encourage investors to remember when making any investments through the platform that all investments are speculative, illiquid, and involve a high degree of risk including the possible loss of your entire investment, and to take this risk under consideration and invest responsibly.
To learn more about investing with StartEngine, please check out our Help Guide: https://help.startengine.com
Invested and never ever heard anything from start engine. I would have to call or email them to find out about any returns and even though that is who I gave my money to they would tell me to check with the company I supposedly invested in. The communication is horrible!! Als o never received a dime of my initial investment or any type of dividends. The company is still in existence and was told from Start engine that the campaign was over and they cant answer any questions. first and last time I will use start engine.
Reply from StartEngine2026-02-03
We’re sorry to hear about your experience. StartEngine facilitates the investment process, while outcomes and communications vary by offering. Startup investing is long-term, and we appreciate you sharing your feedback.
Don't do investments here, unless you want a pain in the ass.
It is a huge hassle to submit documents with this platform. Even when you submit all the right documents, I got declined. Not everyone has documents lying around dating 90 days back (we live in a digital era now), so I submitted a document from 6-7 months ago. Investments don't go through before "verification". Also a huge lack of customer support, just a bunch of automated messages.
I will not recommend anyone to do business with this platform, unless you prefer a huge amount of stress.
UPDATE: After a couple of months I still do not have my money back, which they hold unlawfully.
Reply from StartEngine2026-02-03
We’re sorry to hear about your experience. Our verification and documentation requirements are in place to meet regulatory standards, and we understand that this process can feel frustrating. We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback.
StartEngine's customer service is virtually nonexistent. The only way to contact them for support is through an email that results in a bot opening a ticket which never gets a response or resolution. I have been locked out of my account for several days due to having to get a new phone, and all I need is for them to reset my 2FA authentication so I can log into my account from my new device. But the only way to do that is through their email support feature that gets you nowhere. It should not be this difficult.
Reply from StartEngine2026-01-22
Thanks for sharing this - and we’re really sorry to hear about your experience. Being locked out of your account, especially after getting a new phone and needing a 2FA reset, is understandably frustrating and should not be this difficult.
We’ve requested more information through this review so we can locate your account and support ticket and help get this resolved as quickly as possible. In the meantime, please reach out to us at [email protected] so our team can assist you directly.
We appreciate your support, and we're glad to hear everything is going well so far. If there’s anything we can do to make your experience a full 5 stars, feel free to let us know!
Start Engine is an excellent platform to invest in pre IPOs.
I have used the Start Engine platform to invest in 2 companies. Every time the process was smooth and easy. I like the fact that Start Engine does a lot of dodeligence before recommending a product, service or company.
Reply from StartEngine2026-01-13
We’re glad to hear your investment experiences were smooth and easy, and that you appreciate the diligence we put into the companies on our platform. We appreciate your trust and support!
CROWDFUNDING IS THE WAY TO MASSIVE WEALTH. STARTENGINE IS WHERE YOU WANT TO START YOUR JOURNEY.
STARTENGINE WAS CREATED BY HOWARD MARKS. KEVIN O'LEARY IS THE SPOKESMAN. THAT ALONE MEANS THAT I'M IN VERY VERY GOOD HANDS. REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL NATHAN HAS DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB OF HELPING ME THROUGH THIS COMPLETELY NEW PROCESS. WALL STREET LEGEND ALEXANDER GREEN MADE ME AWARE OF STARTENGINE.COM AND EPILOG IMAGING SYSTEMS. COM. THANKS TO THESE OUTSTANDING MEN, I WILL BECOME A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE. I AM ETERNALLY GREATFUL TO THEM.
JOHN WEYERS
Reply from StartEngine2026-01-08
Thanks for the 5-star review! We’re thrilled to hear you felt well supported throughout the process, and we truly appreciate your trust and kind words.
I thought that it was worth the risk to become a part of something great!
Reply from StartEngine2026-01-05
Thanks for the 5 stars! We’re thrilled you took the leap and joined us—your support means a lot, and we’re excited to have you be part of something great!
It was pretty straightforward. I signed up with Olympia Vodka through Startengine. I now look forward to hearing from Olympia Vodka and watch my investment. Thanks.
Reply from StartEngine2026-01-05
Thanks for the 5 stars! We’re glad the process was straightforward and that you were able to invest in Olympia Vodka. Thanks for choosing StartEngine!
The opportunity to invest in something exciting, new and meaningful at a price per share was fabulous. I own a considerable portfolio with American Century Investors, Fidelity, and Edward Jones, but this was the first time that I made 100% of investment on my own without broker advisement.
Reply from StartEngine2026-01-05
Thanks for the 5 stars! We’re glad StartEngine made it easy to invest independently in something exciting and meaningful. We appreciate your trust!
I am a new and recent investor. I'm also a novice in the investment platform. However, I have found start engine to be inclusive to someone with limited income such as myself who is interested in putting together a portfolio and very easy to navigate and get information about different investments. Many of those investments are very exciting. I have invested in many, what I believe to be, very helpful innovations for humanity and progress in the world. I'm so happy to be involved with these innovations or movements and I'm so glad that start engine allows people with limited means to have an opportunity. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.
Reply from StartEngine2026-01-05
Thanks for the 5 stars! We’re so happy to hear that StartEngine feels welcoming and accessible, and that you’re excited to be part of meaningful innovations. We truly appreciate your support and trust.
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