Propel(X)

What Propel(X) does

Propel(X), Inc. is a private online investment platform headquartered in San Mateo, California, that enables accredited investors to access private market opportunities including deep technology startups, hedge funds, and institutional-grade healthcare real estate. Founded in 2014, the company aggregates smaller investor checks (with a $5,000 minimum for startups, $25,000 for hedge funds, and $50,000-$100,000 for real estate) into Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), reducing traditional venture capital minimums of $50,000-$100,000 by 10x-20x. The platform handles the entire investment workflow digitally — accreditation verification (in partnership with North Capital Private Securities), diligence review, document signing, and fund transfer — and has facilitated 250+ vetted offerings and 130+ successful investments since inception. The company operates through two wholly-owned regulated subsidiaries: Hubble Investments, LLC (a FINRA-registered broker-dealer) and Planck Fund Management Corporation (an SEC exempt reporting advisor that manages SPVs).

Propel(X) generates revenue across multiple fee streams: a 2% one-time brokerage fee on direct investments, a 7.5% fee on syndicate investments plus 10% carried interest on successful exits, SPV-as-a-Service fees at 2% of AUM (capped at $12,000 for 10 years), startup success fees of 5% (raises above $200,000) or 8% (raises below $200,000), and SPV management fees of 2.5% per year for four years plus 20% carry via Planck. The platform targets three segments: accredited individual investors (primary market), deep technology startups seeking capital with simplified cap tables, and a B2B segment of VCs, angels, and founders using the SPV-as-a-Service offering. Healthcare real estate opportunities are sourced through a channel partnership with SPHERE Investments.

The platform is vertically specialized in deep technology and scientific innovation, supported by an Industry Council comprising ten corporate and venture capital partners including ARM, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Robert Bosch Venture Capital, Chevron Technology Ventures, Merck Ventures, MilliporeSigma, Boston Scientific, CareDx, Schneider Electric, and Simcere. Propel(X) is backed by Franklin Templeton (lead investor of the $5.5M July 2020 round), alongside Frees Fund, MIT Alumni Angels of Northern California, Sky Saga Capital, ZhenFund, CLI Ventures, IDG Capital, and TSVC. Total disclosed funding is approximately $7M.

Name

Propel(X)

Legal name

Propel(x), Inc.

Website

https://propelx.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Propel(X) is a private online investment platform that enables accredited investors to access private market opportunities in deep technology startups, hedge funds, and healthcare real estate through SPV-aggregated investments with minimums as low as $5,000.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Alternative Investment Platform

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Other Investment Pools and Funds (5259), Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles (525)

SIC

Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies (6211), Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Unit Registry & Transfer Agency for Alternatives (Private Funds, SPVs, Closed-End) (FSAAAMAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Real Assets — Real Asset Fund Platforms / Multi-Asset Real Assets (Diversified Real Assets Funds) (FSAHAIAM)

Keywords

• Online investment platform
• Accredited investor marketplace
• SPV-as-a-Service
• Deep tech venture investing
• Private market syndication

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Brokerage fees on investments: Propel(x) charges one-time upfront brokerage fees per investment transaction completed through the platform. Direct investments incur a 2% fee, while syndicate investments incur a 7.5% fee per transaction.
2. Carried interest on SPV exits: Investors who invest through a syndicate SPV pay 10% carry upon successful exit, in addition to the upfront brokerage fee.
3. SPV-as-a-Service fees: Propel(x) charges 2% of SPV AUM for SPV formation and administration, with a minimum of $4,000 and a maximum cap of $12,000 for 10 years. Additional fees include $100 per cash distribution and $250 per stock distribution per member. Blue sky filings, banking, and FX conversions are passed through at cost.
4. Success fees from startups: Startups raising on the platform pay a 5% success fee for raises greater than $200,000, and an 8% success fee for raises less than $200,000. Issuers also cover $8,500 flat fee for SPV formation and administration when an SPV is created.
5. Management fees from SPVs: SPVs formed on Propel(x) are managed by Planck Fund Management Corporation, charging a management fee of 2.5% for four years and 20% carried interest upon exit.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Propel(x) is an online investment platform that enables accredited investors worldwide to build diversified portfolios of alternative assets by investing in startups and hedge funds, with minimum check sizes of $5,000. The platform aggregates smaller investor checks into Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to provide access to private market opportunities sourced from top-tier VC firms and financial institutions, and offers SPV-as-a-Service administration for syndicate leads and founders.

Product overview

Propel(x) is a premier alternatives investment and SPV-as-a-Service platform. The core offering is the Alternative Investment Platform, which enables accredited investors to access private market opportunities including startups and hedge funds. The platform is complemented by SPV Syndicates and SPV-as-a-Service modules that allow syndicate leads to pool investor capital into Special Purpose Vehicles for streamlined administration. A Real Estate investment vertical, operated through the SPHERE partnership, provides healthcare-focused real estate opportunities. The platform sources opportunities across sectors including Transportation, Life Sciences, Industrial Technologies, Energy, Communications, Food & Agriculture, and Financial Technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Alternative Investment Platform Online investment platform enabling accredited investors worldwide to build diversified portfolios of alternative assets by investing in startups and hedge funds online, with minimum check sizes of $5,000 for startups and $25,000 for hedge funds.
• SPV-as-a-Service Full-service SPV administration platform for syndicate leads, fund managers, and founders. Services include LLC formation, EIN/CIK, banking, tax filings, KYC/AML investor onboarding, compliance, closing documentation, K-1 distributions, and wind-down support, priced at 2% of SPV AUM with $4,000 minimum and $12,000 maximum cap for 10 years.
• Healthcare Real Estate Investment Platform Real estate investment opportunities offered through partnership with SPHERE Investments, providing accredited investors access to healthcare-focused real estate investments (outpatient facilities, senior living, value-add healthcare properties) across 15 U.S. states with European offices, minimums starting at $50,000-$100,000.
• Startup Fundraising Platform Platform enabling deep tech startups to raise capital from accredited investors through simplified SPV syndicate structures. Includes investor verification, compliance, and success-based pricing of 5% for raises over $200,000 and 8% for raises under $200,000, plus an $8,500 flat SPV administration fee.

Quantifiable outcome

• 250+ vetted offerings facilitated backed by top-tier investors
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SPHERE InvestmentscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPropel(x) partnered with SPHERE Investments to offer healthcare real estate investment opportunities to accredited investors. SPHERE is a Miami-based real estate investment firm with over $1 billion in assets across 15 U.S. states and European offices. The partnership provides exclusive access to institutional-grade healthcare real estate investments including outpatient facilities, senior living, and value-add healthcare properties.
• North Capital Private Securities (NCPS)coreTechnology or IntegrationNCPS provides accredited investor verification services. Investors are directed to a secure NCPS link to upload documentation for accreditation verification in compliance with SEC regulations.
• ARMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerARM is part of the Propel(x) Industry Council, focusing on disruptive technology innovations in IoT and AI. ARM provides mentorship, helps build customer relationships, and may invest in startups on the platform.
• Bio-Rad LaboratoriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBio-Rad is part of the Industry Council, interested in startup companies with innovative products and technologies for life science research, food safety and diagnostics markets.
• Bosch (Robert Bosch Venture Capital)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBosch is part of the Industry Council, looking to build connections with companies in Automation and Electrification, Energy Efficiency, Enabling Technologies, Healthcare and Service/Business Models.
• CareDxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareDx is part of the Industry Council, dedicated to improving the lives of organ transplant patients through noninvasive diagnostics.
• Boston ScientificminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoston Scientific is part of the Industry Council, focused on innovative medical solutions that improve patient health around the world.
• Chevron Technology VenturesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChevron Technology Ventures is part of the Industry Council, pursuing innovative business solutions and externally developed technologies for Chevron's operations.
• MilliporeSigmaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilliporeSigma is part of the Industry Council, collaborating with the global scientific community from academia, biotech and pharma on drug discovery and development.
• Merck VenturesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMerck Ventures (M Ventures) is part of the Industry Council, investing globally in transformational ideas driven by great entrepreneurs with significant focus on early-stage investing.
• Schneider ElectricminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchneider Electric is part of the Industry Council, looking for innovations in augmented operations, smart home, and smart building technologies.
• SimcereminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSimcere is part of the Industry Council, a leading Chinese pharmaceutical company pursuing growth through R&D, M&A, and international collaboration.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AngelList: AngelList is a private market investment platform that enables accredited investors to invest in startups and venture funds through SPVs and syndicates. It is the most direct competitor to Propel(x) given its similar investor onboarding, SPV creation, and deal aggregation model.
• Republic: Republic is a private investment platform offering access to startups, crypto, and real estate to retail and accredited investors. It is comparable to Propel(x) in its low-minimum investment structure, SPV-style aggregation, and direct-to-consumer investment platform approach.
• WeFunder: WeFunder is a startup crowdfunding platform under Reg CF that allows retail investors to invest in startups with small minimums. It is comparable to Propel(x) in democratizing startup investing through low-minimum, platform-facilitated investments, though it focuses on Reg CF rather than Reg D.
• SeedInvest: SeedInvest is a startup investing platform that enables accredited investors to invest in early-stage companies. It is comparable to Propel(x) in operating a curated deal platform with SPV structures and serving the accredited investor segment.
• StartEngine: StartEngine is a leading equity crowdfunding platform that enables startups to raise capital from retail and accredited investors. It is comparable to Propel(x) as a direct competitor in the online private investment platform space with similar deal aggregation and investor onboarding.
• MicroVentures: MicroVentures is an online private investment platform that allows accredited investors to invest in startups and venture funds with lower minimums. It is comparable to Propel(x) in its SPV-based aggregation model and focus on making venture capital accessible to a broader investor base.
• EquityZen: EquityZen is a private equity secondary marketplace that allows investors to buy shares in pre-IPO companies. It is comparable to Propel(x) in providing accredited investors access to private market opportunities through a technology platform, though focused on secondaries.
• Forge Global: Forge Global is a private stock secondary market platform, merging with SharesPost. It is comparable to Propel(x) as a private market platform serving accredited investors with technology-enabled investment workflows, though focused more on secondary transactions.

Broad incumbents

• Carta: Carta is a comprehensive private market infrastructure platform offering cap table management, valuation, and liquidity solutions. It is comparable to Propel(x) in serving the private market ecosystem with technology-enabled services, though it operates at much broader scale with cap table management as its core offering.

Emerging players

• Masterworks: Masterworks is an alternative investment platform allowing investors to buy fractional shares in blue-chip art. It is comparable to Propel(x) in its similar business model of democratizing access to an alternative asset class with low minimums, accredited investor onboarding, and SPV-like structures.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/propel_x
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQ-vECzRszFVQpBiDsUrtJg
• Facebookfacebook.com/propelxinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/propel-x-

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors9 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments168 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Propel(X)