Mainvest is a unique investing platform that allows you to invest in small businesses across the US.
Small businesses make up over 99% of all businesses, but they have historically been hard to invest in. With Mainvest, you can get started with as little as $100 and get target returns up to 25%.
This Mainvest review will walk through the key features of the platform and help you decide if it’s right for you.
How Does Mainvest Work?
Founded in 2018, Mainvest connects small businesses to investors, using crowdfunding to raise quick capital for the business while providing returns to investors.
They allow for both debt and equity options, and the investments are based on revenue sharing. The revenue sharing note has a maturity date and an amount to be paid back, which is higher than the amount lent, and this is where the return comes from.
You can invest in various categories of business, such as bakeries, food trucks, cannabis, gaming, or spas.
Supporting local businesses has become more popular, and Mainvest is leading the way by making it easier to support businesses that have meaning to you, while at the same time benefitting from their profits. This Mainvest review talks about the benefits of diversification that small businesses can offer.
One of the great features of Mainvest is the ability to look through the listings of businesses they offer and read more about them. You can invest in the ideas and business models that resonate with you.
You will also be able to get detailed information on the business financials and operations so you can make an informed decision.
Vetting Process
Investing in small businesses obviously carries more risk than big, established, publicly-traded stocks. So for that reason, the vetting process is crucial.
Mainvest has a vetting process that selects high quality small businesses for investment opportunities. They check across multiple levels, including anti-fraud and responsibility, and they continually review their offerings.
This Mainvest review explains that only 5% of businesses are accepted on the platform.
They also use something called “social underwriting,” where they require businesses to raise $10,000 from people they know. This is a way to prove the seriousness and legitimacy of the business before being accepted on Mainvest.
Requirements to Use Mainvest
You must be 18-years old and have a bank account to set up an account.
The minimum investment on the platform is $100, however, each business sets its own terms and can have higher minimums than this.
You do not have to be an accredited investor to join Mainvest, but there can be additional options for accredited investors in their private placements.
Setting up an account and getting started is easy. They ask a few simple questions about your investment goals, and depending on what your goals are, you may need to verify your identity.
The more you plan to invest, the more they will require. For investments over $15,000, they will require you to upload a copy of your government ID.
Fees
Mainvest does not charge fees to the investors on their platform. However, Mainvest does charge a fee of 6% to the businesses that you invest in, which can cut into their profits and lower the return some.
Alternative platforms
Investors have been increasingly seeking opportunities outside of traditional stocks and bonds. Because of this, many companies have started that allow for unique alternative investments.
AcreTrader is a platform that allows for investments in farmland. This is a great way to add diversification in area not normally accessible. The minimum investment is $10,000, and the fees go up to 1%.
First National Realty Partners is a real estate platform that allows accredited investors to invest in commercial real estate. Their minimum is high, though, at $50,000, and their fees can range from .5% to 1.5%.
Crowdstreet is another platform that gives accredited investors access to a diverse offering of real estate investments. Crowdstreet’s minimum is $25,000, and they don’t charge fees to the investor, instead charging their fees to the property’s sponsor.
This Mainvest review covers more alternative options.
Is Mainvest Right for You?
Mainvest offers a great way to diversify with investments that are very different from what you can traditionally find, however the unique nature of these investments means they are not right for everyone.
Mainvest requires investors with a high risk-tolerance, as some of the investments might not pan out.
But the low minimums and easy requirements for using the platform make it great for beginner investors who want to expand outside of traditional stocks and bonds. Few alternative platforms are as easy to get started with.
Also, the high return potential makes it an attractive platform for those willing to accept the risk.
Check out Mainvest for yourself by clicking here.