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.
StartEngine (startengine.com) has 531 customer reviews on Five Star Index, with an average rating of 4.1 out of 5.
Also known as
startengine.com
Website
startengine.com
Category
Investments & Wealth
Location
Burbank, California
Listed on Five Star Index
2026
About these reviews
Replies
The company replied to 89% of reviews.
Latest
Most recent review: October 2026.
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Reviews are shown as their authors wrote them. The company can reply, but cannot edit them.
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WARNING: DO NOT INVEST IN ANY OF THEIR COMPANIES. INVESTED 5 YEARS AGO IN 3 COMPANIES. LOST EVERYTHING BECAUSE THERE IS NO EASY WAY TO GET BACK YOUR INVESTMENT. IX WATER CONTINUES TO ASK ME TO RE-INVEST YET NO LEGITIMATE COMPANY CONTACT OR RESPONSE TO ANY E-MAIL.
Response from StartEngineJul 22, 2025
Thank you for your feedback.
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
GC
Gene C.
Sent them sensitive data and they still…
Sent them sensitive data and they still can't confirm my ID. Contacted support and they sent me some links and instructions to send my Social Security card, passport or CDL, a bill proving my residence address, etc, and those links did not work. WHY on earth would I trust them with my money or my sensitive data?
Response from StartEngineJun 23, 2025
Hello! I understand that providing certain identity verification documents can be nerve-wracking, especially when it comes to investing for the first time. However, please be assured that providing your documents is a common practice in the investment industry to comply with federal regulations and to verify your identity. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to [email protected].
JW
Jason W.
its a scam
I invested in a couple of companies on Start Engine 5 years ago and i basically threw that money in the trash. Its a scam
Response from StartEngineJun 13, 2025
Hello! We appreciate you flagging this. In order to best assist you and address your concerns, we have requested your contact information via this review, but haven't heard back. Please contact us directly at [email protected] so that we can assist.
OS
oscarkarem
Don't do it!!!
Don't do it!!!!
- 5 min reading this will be your best investment.
I am speaking from experience, but for the record I only have myself to be angry at for not researching first.
- you can choose to invest in startengine anyways, but I will guarantee you regret it long-term. And you will come back and say you wish you hadn’t done it.
Every positive review will tell you some version of how easy it is to give your money to start engine. “It was easy, well see what happens” or “ I was able to use my credit card.” be for you invest look for reviews that say that they made money in start engine; or similar - I will be shocked if you do.
Like many I was drawn in by the “ get in while they are startups and make money as they grow.” the only people here making money is the company collecting your money and StartEngine who makes money on fees.
My experience:
I had some money to invest so I invested about $30,000 in different Startengine companies.
- Some shutdown befor selling themselves to a public company (RXnow) I lost everything in that one but they made money what they collected and again on their sale.
- Jet AI, almost $1000 investment turned to $30 when they went public. Then after a reverse split. I got a less than $0.50 check saying my investment was not enough to purchase a share so they cashed me out.
There are more, but you get the message. as far as the other companies in the last five years, I have not seen any major returns. As a matter fact, my initial 30,000 today is 25,000. I’m trying to get rid of it by selling it to new people who don’t know any better but the only way I can do it is to pay a monthly fee to StartEngine that allows me to sell my stocks. but it’s not a guarantee sale. So I’m stuck for now.
on the other side, in the regular stock market I invested $2,000 in stockpile for my daughter, and $2,000 infidelity investment for my son. Also 10,000 TD ameritrede (recently changed) for my wife.
In the same time As my investment in stockpile, all those accounts grew.
- kids investments are almost $14,000 each
- Wife’s is $45,000
With no additional investments other than the original.
my suggestion is look for companies. They do not charge you fees to invest. Like Fidelity or other big company and put your money there. while there is a chance of loss, there’s also a good chance of gain. Opposed to star engine, that based on my experience, is either large loss, little losses overtime, or no gain at all.
Response from StartEngineJun 9, 2025
Thank you for sharing your concerns. We have requested more information from you to further investigate your portfolio, but we haven't heard back.
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,
JK
Janne K.
Answer my questions.
Answer my questions.
Response from StartEngineApr 14, 2025
Of course — we’re here to help. Please let us know your questions directly at [email protected], and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
BG
Billy G.
StartEngine is a Scam!!!!
StartEngine is a Scam!!!!
Invested $2500 of My Money…
In Three Ventures…
And In Over Two Years!!!!
They Just HAVE “ MY MONEY”
And Give No Explanation Of Why The Ventures I’ve Invested In!!!
Took My Investments…
And Have “NO” information Or Timeline Of Even Producing????
So, “Mr. Wonderful”!
It Looks Like You Wouldn’t Even Invest In StartEngine….
On “Shark Tank”????
Right????
Response from StartEngineApr 14, 2025
We’re sorry to hear about your experience. StartEngine is a platform that connects investors with investment opportunities, but the success and timelines of each company depend on the companies themselves. We understand your frustration and encourage you to reach out to our support team at [email protected] for detailed updates on your investments.
CH
Chris
I have been on SE over 4 years
I have been on SE over 4 years - to date there has been no IPO or similar for any of the 9 investments - including SE itself (one holding did just ask Nasdaq to hold a ticker for them - but even they say it could be years before it goes public).
Additionally what is missing are regular recurring updates - some investments have gone 1-2 years with NO updates. I realize the rules for non-public companies are different, but at the least we should have some funnel of information to absorb.
SE will tell you to be patient, etc to see results, however founders have and continue to cash out in subsequent funding rounds (you must dig into the SEC filings to see these details).
I have ceased to use SE as an investment vehicle - it isn't worth throwing good money after bad as they say and finding that "Mr Wonderful" is hauling in a substantial fee for shilling SE is a bit much.
Response from StartEngineMar 31, 2025
Thank you for sharing your honest experience. We understand your concerns about liquidity, updates, and transparency—especially after being an active investor for several years. Your feedback is valuable and helps highlight areas for improvement. If you have any specific questions or need further assistance, we’re here to help, please feel free to contact us directly at [email protected]
CB
Conner B.
I bought $1,000.00 and got 10.16 back
I bought $1,000.00
worth of knightscope
they said I had to wait for a certain time to elapse before claiming my series S.
I never received them and only got a check in the mail for the sale of one stock!!!!! Crooks!!! Never buy anything from them!!
Response from StartEngineMar 24, 2025
Thanks for raising your concerns. In the event that a company goes public, the company's transfer agent will reach out to you to facilitate the management of your shares.
We are not aware of the company's future plans, or what will be available for your shares after the offering's close.
StartEngine assists companies in raising capital and once the offering is closed, we are no longer involved with whether the company chooses to list shares on a secondary market, and what occurs thereafter. Therefore, StartEngine has no control or insight into the investment after closing the live offering.
Please contact us directly should you need any contact information for the company or have further questions. Thanks!
