StartEngine has a rating of 2.27 stars from 169 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about StartEngine most frequently mention customer service, phone number, and email address problems. StartEngine ranks 22nd among Crowd Funding sites.
This company responds to reviews on average within 16 hours
Love this site! Was able to invest in few startups which is now on the stock market! Another one is out in the market for sale already! Let's get rich y'all!
I have invested in a number of start engine companies. One of them went public (knightscope). I have no idea how to convert what I invested into actual shares in my Charles Schwab account and no one will reply to me! Terrible waste of money. Don't do it!
I have invested in a number of start engine companies. One of them went public (knightscope). I have no idea how to convert what I invested into actual shares in my Charles Schwab account and no one will reply to me! Terrible waste of money. Don't do it!
Tip for consumers:
No one replies to me when I try to get my shares in the publicly traded company out of start engine and into my Charles Schwab account. It's a black hole to throw money into. You'll never see your money again.
Products used:
I invested in a number of companies
I'm a public figure with a $9 million dollar domain, which we are launching a business around. The entity is formed, the business plan created and vetted by multiple VCs. My previous startup was acquired by a major tech company. I've decided to crowdfund for this one and was about to launch a campaign on WeFunder dot com. A friend suggested I check out StartEngine. I've never heard of them but reached out. I had a call with a woman named Doryn and that conversation was what motivated this review.
1. She was incredibly condescending.
2. She said Start Engine does not accept "pre-revenue" companies. That's a lie: they do.
3. Oddly, she told me to go with WeFunder! She told me her employer, StartEngine, is too expensive and only has interest in week established companies seeking late rounds of financing. It was so surprising and weird.
I cannot tell you how surprised I was and how put off I was by this arrogant woman who had the people skills of an alligator.
I'm headed over to WeFunder as she instructed, and I'll let you know how it goes!
Hello Troy,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We apologize for any frustration caused during your conversation with us. We take your feedback seriously and are investigating the issues raised regarding our acceptance criteria. We aim to provide transparent and professional service, and we're sorry your experience fell short of that.
Your feedback is valuable, and we would appreciate the opportunity to discuss your concerns further and work towards a resolution. If you're open to it, please let us know a convenient time for a follow-up.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
-StartEngine Support
Business owner with a successful 2 year old start up looking to augment its funding. After providing a highly detailed business overview and summary, which they solicited but never read, scheduled call which they were not prepared for, talked in circles reading a script the entire call. It felt like a joke as the call was so ridiculous. When he realized he had a knowledgeable business asking real questions, his scripting went to "not good fit" mode. Don't waste your time here. Next!
Tip for consumers:
For business owners looking for financing options,
Avoid this site.
Products used:
Did not end up utilizing service but wasted a substantial amount of time.
I bought JTAI before it went public for $600 for 800 shares. When it went public, I got 39 shares, which is $27.
Tip for consumers:
If you are trying to help others get on their feet, at a loss to you, this is a good place. If you want to make money, long term, just wait till the company goes public and buy then. If the company never goes public, then that means it did not do well, and you lucked out,unlike me, did not lose your @$$.
Products used:
I purchase stocks before the company goes public to try to get in early, then I found out
Hi Oscar,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience on our platform with Jet.AI. We appreciate all feedback, as it helps us continually improve our services and address concerns. We're genuinely sorry to hear about the challenges you faced, and we understand how frustrating it must be.
We want to address your specific situation and provide some context. If a company that raised on our platform previously makes the decision to go public, it is out of our hands and we have no control over the situation and your shares in the company.
StartEngine assists start-up companies in raising capital for their business and helps facilitate investments from investors but once an offering has ended, we are not involved in the IPO process other than providing information to the company’s Transfer Agent and trying to assist investors in the process to the best of our abilities.
If you have any specific concerns about your investment or if there's anything we can do to assist you further, please reach out to our customer support team at contact@startengine.com. We are here to address your queries and provide assistance to the best of our abilities.
Once again, we appreciate your feedback, and we remain committed to learning from our users' experiences to refine our platform. Your insights contribute significantly to our ongoing efforts to improve and provide a better service.
Thank you for your understanding, and we hope to have the opportunity to regain your trust in the future.
Love this site! Was able to invest in few startups which is now on the stock market! Another one is out in the market for sale already! Let's get rich y'all!
Tip for consumers:
Invest in Startengine!!!!
Products used:
Buying IPOs
Hi Jipu! Thank you for leaving this positive review for us! We are so glad to hear that you are enjoying our platform!
We look forward to continuing this positive experience for you!
I bought what was described to be "shares" of "stock" in StartEngine itself which, by use of those terms, one would believe to be liquid and resalable on a stock exchange. This company is private and this is all a ruse to raise funds without any need to pay anyone back.
Hi Chris,
Thank you so much for your feedback here! We would be happy to share some additional insight into the platform and what we do!
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
We hope this helps to clear up any confusion about how investing on our platform works, if you have any further questions please don't hesitate to contact us directly at contact@startengine.com.
Thank you!
It's a scam save your money, there crooks, invested almost 2 years ago haven't heard any haven't earned a penny and with the economy today no one can afford to throw away money and once you invest and they close the market, you can't pull your investment back out, I'm a Marine and a retired law enforcement officer so I have no reason too lie, I guess white collar crime pays cause you can rob people and get away with it.
I've seen enough of these to notice a pattern: a small company crowdfunding capital so they can secure additional financing. Then... nothing. Even those opportunities that turn public, or are taken over, will be no more than a breakeven proposition. If that. Save your cash for the real stock/bond markets.
Ease of use. The site is comprehensive in its offerings. Friendly design. I felt that I was in charge of my choices.
Hi Randal,
Thank you so much for your kind review! We're thrilled to hear that you found our site easy to use. It's wonderful to know that you felt in charge of your choices. If you ever have any more feedback or suggestions, we'd love to hear them.
We are looking forward to continuing this experience for you.
Have an awesome day!
-StartEngine Support
I invested through start engine, pre-ipo, for jet ai, formerly known as jet token. I had 630 shares before the ipo. Somehow I ended up with just 21 shares and 33 warrants. Likely due to a reverse split, eventually leaving me with about $30 worth of shares for my $200 investment. I won't ever invest through start engine again, as it was a hassle to get simple information and is an even bigger hassle to transfer your shares. E-Trade won't even allow me to transfer my shares into my brokerage account because they are worth less than $500. I would highly recommend AGAINST it.
Products used:
I invested in a pre IPO through start engine. Terrible customer service, very little clarity and transparency about the process. Definitely would not recommend!
Hi Taron,
Thank you for leaving your feedback.
We sincerely apologize for the difficulties you have experienced.
If a company that raised on our platform previously makes the decision to go public, it is out of our hands and we have no control over the situation and what happens to your shares.
StartEngine assists start-up companies in raising capital for their business and helps facilitate investments from investors but once an offering has ended, we are not involved in the IPO process other than providing information to the company’s Transfer Agent and trying to assist investors in the process to the best of our abilities.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out directly to us at contact@startengine.com.
Again, we value your feedback and hope to improve this experience for you.
Have a great day!
I have a lot of money here that I could have put in crypto. One of my investments for a solar power tractor was bought by another company. My $225 ended up being paid out as $13.99. A lot of risk involved. If my other twenty-seven or so companies get bought out like this, I will be close to $30k
Mr. Wonderful should be sitting in jail with the crypto Bahamas guy. You give start engine money and then…. Nothing. No communication, not trade able, no communications from the so called start up you put money in, the money is gone. $5000 into some company called graze whose only communication was to send me an email saying they contracted out to some other company to track who owned what shares. Useless hope they are enjoying my money. I'll never see it again. I hope the Californian AG starts an investigation into this scam.
Tip for consumers:
Don’t
Products used:
Graze
This site is a scam. Once a Company IPO's the do reverse splits making your investment worth $14 instead of the $3300 I was expecting. I will be contacting Start Engine and demand all my money returned. Shark tank Mr. Wonderful you owe me money! Jet Token SCAM!
Tip for consumers:
I will be demanding Start Engine for full refund of all investments and they can buy my $14 of Jet Token stock
Products used:
I purchased pre IPO Stock
Hi John,
We sincerely apologize for the difficulties you have experienced.
If a company that raised on our platform previously makes the decision to go public, it is out of our hands and we have no control over the situation.
StartEngine assists start-up companies in raising capital for their business and helps facilitate investments from investors but once an offering has ended, we are not involved in the IPO process other than providing information to the company’s Transfer Agent and trying to assist investors in the process to the best of our abilities.
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.
Please feel free to contact us directly at contact@startengine.com to address any further concerns or questions, we are happy to help.
Thanks for using StartEngine.
Invested $500 in a promising company almost three years ago - shares are worth about $13 today. StartEngine is set up to enrich the entrepreneurs and management of SE - not the investors. The agreement is written such that they can continue and dilute your shares in perpetuity by seeking more money from different investors.
Wide array of interesting investments in start up companies. Easy to use, intuitive interface. Reccomend!
Hi Anthony, We appreciate your feedback and are thrilled to hear you are having a great experience! We look forward to continuing this experience for you on our platform!
When reading your purchase agreement you're screwed. The contract says its for long-term investors. Who knows what long-term means? Start Engine says I can sell them myself but you never know the value good luck. Who would buy something useless? You will go around in circles trying to see the progress I give up. I have seven certificates This is my interpretation. Any good help would be appreciated that is not confusing.
Hi Victor. We are sorry to hear that you have not had a good experience with our platform. We encourage our investors to read the agreements, our FAQ, and other resources prior to investing as startup investing can be risky. If you want to learn more about investing in startups and the potential outcomes, you can check out the articles at www.startengine.com/blog/investing-in-startups-101 and help.startengine.com.
I followed the process to invest $1000. And now getting messages the investment is not complete. I have tried to get help and all I get is canned suggested actions. I have ask for someone to call or provide a phone number so I can get this fixed. The offer has closed and it appears as though I have lost $1035. I and I suggest other investors contact the SCC and file a complaint in writing. It is fraud to take money from and investor and not provide the stock.
I've invested in 23 and growing start engine companies. I keep close tabs on progress, updates from each company. A few high potential companies on start engine were worth my time and money to invest in first, second, third round fundraising efforts.
I find it very easy to use, quite organized. Rather than issuing all my portfolio funds to wealth manager, I enjoy the hobby of reading about smaller start ups on my own.
I deposited $1000 thinking I'll use it to invest in a startup. When I tried to invest, it told me I had to use fund from my bank directly. So now I have $1000 sitting in there and can't be used. I also tried withdrawing the money since Im in need of it, but it says that they are in the middle of a system transfer. It's been like that for half a year now.
Thank you for providing this feedback. I'm sorry for the issues you encountered with your account. We would be happy to help you resolve this immediately, please contact our main Help Desk at: contact@startengine.com
I have made upwards of 15 investments, some of them are obviously crazy longshots a couple of them have paid out cash dividends at regular intervals. I think it's very important to know that these investments are very long term, not a year but many years. Some of them may never pay back, but there are (in my opinion) a few opportunities on the site that have the chance to turn out incredibly.
Don't make the investment if it is with money you will miss though.
Products used:
Invested in start-ups on the site
They take your money and run. I can NEVER get any replies to my inquiries. I'm filing a complaint with the SEC and Attorney General's Office!
BEWARE!
Tip for consumers:
TOTAL SCAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That exclamation point in their logo should be looked at as a flashing WARNING alert. Horrible communication. Limited ability to access. Unclear process. After hearing many positives, Start Engine sadly is an example of the precarious modern "tech company" that states "we are here to help" and then does the complete opposite in their process and interactions. From multiple sources, along with my own experience, this disorganization is the current norm within the last year at Start Engine. BE WARY and ensure they have their plan, customer response, and business model in better shape before investing your time and money on this risky venture of a company. "Mr Wonderful" has some work to do whipping them into shape.
Tip for consumers:
I really don't know. When you are dealing with a company that is as disorganized as this , with such a small staff...there is a systemic issue in their business structure.
I would suggest Don't Use This Site. It is not legitimate.
Products used:
I attempted to use their platform for a raise for my company. I was accepted and began my onboarding and went about the VAST amount of information that is required to submit for SEC approval. After spending money on gathering the necessary legal documents and paying for a CPA, I followed up again to get more information on guidance from Start Engine as I was told from others who had used it that their communication was "Bad" but keep on them. I sent another email and was told to fill out an application. I informed that I already did that and was now doing the onboarding and was informed a week later (!) that my campaign was not accepted. Even though I was still filling out the campaign, had never submitted it, and was told that I could complete the information to submit! Very disorganized and unprofessional.
I have dropped over $10,000 in various investments through Startengine including in Startengine itself. I had a small return on one company. I have not been able to contact Startengine. One company I invested over $2,000 and they say I haven't completed my investment but the money has been taken out of my account. There is no way to contact the company. Save your money and don't give it to these guys.
(Original review - 1 star) I went to my Start Engine account and couldn't login. I selected to recover my account, entered my email on file and never received a response. I contacted directly and still no response. I'm thinking that this site is a scam and I have lost my investment. Have caution. I will not invest through Start Engine again. Motley Fool has also stated to stay away from Start Engine. Wish I would have seen this review before. Don't trust this company.
(New review) Conner with StartEngine reached out and worked with me on recovering my account. There was a mixup in the email accounts and he helped me access my account, change my password, my shares are safe and all is good.
Tip for consumers:
Customer service was solid. Not a foreign call center. Great communication. I panicked when I couldn’t access my account and didn’t hear from them that day. The customer service changed my opinion drastically.
Products used:
Purchased shares of a company.
Thank you for taking the time to update your review! We're glad to hear that Connor was able to assist you. We appreciate your positive feedback about our customer service. We value your trust and appreciate your continued support!
Difficult company to communicate with. With all the options out there I would probably pass on this one unless they can actually provide a decent customer support.
Hi Emily,
Thank you for providing your valuable feedback. First, I apologize that you did not receive the level of service expected.
I would be happy to provide you with more information here. Typically, brokerages do not hold private securities.
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.
Please allow us to answer any other questions and concerns directly by reaching out to us at contact@startengine.com.
Again, we appreciate your feedback and would love the opportunity to address any further concerns with the level of service you deserve.
-StartEngine Support