Did you know that you can hold private company stock within a retirement account? It may not be what everyone has in the IRA, but for those investors who are able to spot great opportunities early, it can be transformative. Using a Self-Directed IRA, you can open yourself up to all sorts of alternative asset classes—and few can be as exciting as a private company. Private company investing can offer potentially high returns for those willing to take on a degree of risk. In this post, we’ll dive into how private company investing works with a Self-Directed IRA. We’ll also talk about the benefits of investing this way—and any other important considerations.

Understanding Private Company Investing with a Self-Directed IRA

Let’s explain what we mean first. Private company investing involves purchasing equity in privately held companies—or, in other words, those not listed on public stock exchanges. These companies are typically startups or small businesses seeking capital to fund growth, expand operations, or execute strategic initiatives. If you can find a small one about to hit it big, you have a recipe for a major investment. But unlike publicly traded companies, private companies do not have publicly available financial statements or regulatory oversight, making them inherently riskier investments. It takes experience and knowledge to make investments like this work. For a lot of people who love private company investing, that’s exactly what they prefer.

How Private Company Investing Works with a Self-Directed IRA

Investing in private companies with a Self-Directed IRA follows a similar process to investing in other alternative assets. First, you’ll establish a Self-Directed IRA with a qualified custodian like American IRA. Once your account is set up, you can direct your custodian to execute transactions on your behalf. That might include purchasing equity stakes in private companies. Your IRA funds are used to finance the investment. Then, any returns generated from the investment are deposited back into your IRA account.

Benefits of Private Company Investing

Private company investing offers several potential benefits for Self-Directed IRA investors. For starters, it provides an opportunity to participate in the growth potential of early-stage companies. That means potentially earning significant returns on investment. Second, private company investments can act as a diversification tool, helping to reduce overall portfolio risk by spreading investments across different asset classes. And third? Investing in private companies allows you to support innovative entrepreneurs and contribute to the greater economy. Not a bad deal.

Important Considerations of Self-Directed IRA Private Company Investing

While private company investing can offer all sorts of wealth-building opportunities, everyone should approach it with caution. Conduct thorough due diligence before making any investment decisions. Since private companies aren’t subject to the same regulatory scrutiny as public companies, there may be limited information available. And that can be difficult, because you’ll want to assess their financial health and prospects. Additionally, private company investments are illiquid. They may require a long-term investment horizon, as it can be challenging to sell your stake in a privately held company.

True: private company investing can be a viable option for Self-Directed IRA investors seeking to diversify their portfolios and potentially earn attractive returns. But you’ll need a good way to get started. By partnering with a trusted custodian like American IRA and conducting careful research and analysis, you can explore this alternative method of investing to its fullest. Want to learn more about how you can get started with private company investing with a Self-Directed IRA? Call 866-7500-IRA to speak with an American IRA representative today.