Private Markets

Clear Street is launching a new platform to offer accredited investors access to pre-IPO stakes in private companies. AI giant Databricks, valued at $188 billion, is expected to be among the initial offerings. This move aims to democratize access to private market growth. Clear Street, which postponed its own IPO, is financially strong and targets a 2027 listing.

Goldman Sachs launched a new platform to increase wealthy clients’ access to direct investments in private companies. The initiative consolidates existing alternatives business with new teams focused on equity stakes and transaction services for private holdings. This move addresses the growing profitability of wealth management and the trend of successful startups remaining private longer, allowing investors earlier participation in growth cycles, including AI-related infrastructure.

Polymarket is launching prediction contracts on private market milestones for sought-after companies like OpenAI and Anthropic, partnering with Nasdaq Private Market for data. These contracts allow traders to speculate on events like valuations and IPO timelines, offering retail investors exposure to the lucrative private market without equity ownership. This initiative aims to create a more accessible and liquid trading environment for private market information.

Goldman Sachs and T. Rowe Price are collaborating to expand access to public and private market investments, primarily targeting retirement and wealth channels. Goldman Sachs will invest up to $1 billion in T. Rowe Price common stock. The partnership will focus on co-branded target-date strategies, model portfolios, and multi-asset offerings, leveraging Goldman’s expertise in alternative investments and T. Rowe Price’s retirement leadership. The goal is to provide a broader range of investors, including individuals and advisors, with diversified investment solutions and personalized advice.