Do I still need to prepare if I use a platform like Forge or Secfi?

Yes. Whatever the platform, two things still gate a private-share sale — your company's approval (most shares carry a right of first refusal and transfer restrictions) and a realistic price (private, minority sales trade at a discount). Financing platforms don't remove the exercise cost or tax either. Knowing what you hold, the tax, and your transfer rights first is what makes any platform work for you.

What's the difference between a marketplace, a financing platform and a company tender?

A marketplace (Forge, EquityZen, Hiive) helps you find a buyer for shares you already hold. A financing platform (Secfi, EquityBee, ESO Fund) lends you the cash to exercise options you can't yet afford. A company tender or liquidity programme (often run via Nasdaq Private Market or Carta) is a company-sponsored window to sell a slice — driven by the company, not you. Carta is also where many companies simply manage and show your equity.

Are these platforms affiliated with PrivateTechShares?

No. PrivateTechShares is an independent education and tools service — not a broker or marketplace. These guides are neutral, and we're not affiliated with, paid by, or partnered with any of the platforms described.

Using a platform

Preparing to use an equity platform

Forge, Secfi, Carta, Nasdaq Private Market — the platform you reach for depends on what you're trying to do. But none of them removes the two things that really gate a private-share sale. Start here.

Written & maintained by the PrivateTechShares team · Published November 2026 · Reviewed November 2026

Part of our guide to where to sell private company shares.

The one thing to remember. A platform is a tool, not a shortcut. Whichever you use, your company usually has to approve the transfer (a right of first refusal and transfer restrictions almost always apply), a private sale happens at a discount, and exercising options still costs cash and tax. Prepare those first and any platform works better.

Marketplaces — to find a buyer for shares you hold

You already hold vested shares and want to sell a slice to an outside (usually accredited) buyer. The company's approval still applies.

Forge Global →Large, later-stage secondary marketplace. EquityZen →Late-stage shares to accredited investors, often via funds. Hiive →Private-stock marketplace with live bid/ask pricing.

Financing — to fund exercising your options

You have vested options worth exercising but not the cash (or face a big tax bill). These fund the exercise in exchange for a share of the upside.

Secfi →Equity planning plus financing to exercise and cover tax. EquityBee →Investors fund your exercise for a share of the proceeds. ESO Fund →Non-recourse funding to exercise and cover AMT.

Company liquidity & equity management

These are driven by your company, not you — a sponsored window to sell, or simply where your equity is managed.

Nasdaq Private Market →Company-sponsored tender offers and liquidity programmes. Carta →Where many companies manage and show your equity.

Heading into an IPO instead?

If your company is going public rather than running a private sale, the mechanics are different — lock-ups, double-trigger RSUs and exercise timing. See preparing for your company's IPO.

Thinking about selling?

It's worth understanding what you hold, what it might be worth and how a private transfer works before you act. Start with the free equity starter kit, or go deeper with the equity toolkit.

Get the equity toolkit — $39

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Prefer to read up first? The Equity Toolkit (€39) walks through clearing restrictions and running the sale, step by step.

Free: the Equity Starter Kit

The plain-English glossary and the essentials to get started — instant download, no email required.

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