Which startups let you sell your stock? Live data
Selling stock is a taboo subject at a lot of startups.
To normalize talking about liquidity and help employees make informed career decisions, we built this list of companies that do and don’t allow employees to sell their stock.
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Respond to this reportLiquidity programs by stage
Later-stage companies are more likely to allow employee stock sales, either through company-led transactions or by allowing employee-led transactions. Doing so allows them to provide long-time members of the team with an opportunity to de-risk by getting some liquidity.
However, today, some companies like Pipe have begun making liquidity available for their employees as early as seed/Series A.
Some companies don’t allow for employee sales of their stock. In some instances, these companies implement transfer restrictions that prevent private sales from occurring.
Resources for employees
Stock option exercise lending
One barrier to employee liquidity is exercising your stock options, which can be expensive and confusing. Some companies help by allowing employees to borrow cash to meet their option exercise and tax obligations.
Secondary brokerages
If your company allows for you to sell your stock, but doesn’t offer regular company-led liquidity, you may be able to sell it on a secondary marketplace or via a broker.
Secondary funds
Certain venture funds specialize in “special situations” like employee and/or founder liquidity at private companies, and actually prefer to buy stock in secondary markets.
Company liquidity platforms
If your company offers regular liquidity by way of tender offers, share buybacks, or auctions, you will likely know about it well in advance. If you’re not sure, you can ask your HR or finance team and they will let you know if your company allows for these types of transactions.