Ventuals

How to Buy SpaceX Stock Before the IPO

SpaceX shares aren't on any exchange yet. Here are three ways to get exposure before the IPO — from secondary markets to perpetual futures.

By Emily Hsia·Updated

SpaceX Starship on its launch tower with a green candlestick price chart trending upward

SpaceX has confidentially filed for what could be the largest IPO in history, with a reported valuation near $1.25 trillion. If you want exposure before shares start trading publicly — likely by mid-2026 — you have three main paths, each with different trade-offs around access, cost, and what you actually end up holding.

Can you buy SpaceX stock right now?

Not through a regular brokerage account. SpaceX is still a private company, which means its shares do not trade on any public exchange. You cannot open Fidelity or Schwab and place an order.

That said, there are ways to get exposure to SpaceX before the IPO. The options depend on your investor status and what kind of exposure you are looking for — actual ownership or price exposure.

Secondary markets (accredited investors only)

The most direct way to buy SpaceX shares before the IPO is through secondary markets — platforms where existing shareholders (employees, early investors) sell their vested stock to new buyers.

Platforms like EquityZen, Forge Global, and Hiive facilitate these transactions. But there are significant barriers:

  • Accreditation required. You must be an accredited investor — generally meaning $200k+ annual income or $1M+ net worth (excluding your primary residence).
  • High minimums. Most secondary deals for SpaceX start at $50,000 to $100,000 or more.
  • Transfer restrictions. SpaceX has a right of first refusal (ROFR) on secondary sales, meaning the company can block or buy back shares before they reach you.
  • Fees and markups. Platforms charge transaction fees, and shares often trade at a premium to the last funding-round price.

If you meet the requirements and can tolerate the friction, this is the path to actual share ownership. But for most people, it is not realistic. For more on who qualifies to invest before an IPO, see our detailed breakdown.

Funds and public companies with SpaceX exposure

If you do not meet accreditation requirements — or prefer not to deal with secondary-market friction — you can get indirect exposure through funds and public companies that already hold SpaceX equity.

VehicleSpaceX allocationMinimumOpen to retail?
ARK Venture Fund (ARKVX)~17% of assetsVaries by brokerYes (interval fund — limited liquidity)
Baron Partners Fund (BPTRX)~33% of assets$2,000Yes
Alphabet (GOOGL)~7% stake in SpaceX1 share (~$165)Yes

These are accessible to anyone with a brokerage account, but the exposure is diluted. When you buy Alphabet stock, you are buying a massive conglomerate — SpaceX is a small fraction of its value. The fund options give more concentrated exposure, but come with management fees and, in the case of ARK Venture, limited redemption windows.

None of these paths give you direct SpaceX price exposure. Your returns are shaped by the fund's other holdings or the public company's overall performance.

Price exposure through perpetual futures

A newer option lets you get direct price exposure to SpaceX without buying shares at all.

Platforms like Ventuals offer perpetual futures that track SpaceX's implied valuation. You can go long (bet the valuation rises) or short (bet it falls), enter and exit at any time, and start with as little as $10.

How it works in practice:

  • SpaceX is trading at an implied valuation of $1.25 trillion on Ventuals
  • You open a $100 long position
  • If the valuation rises 20% to $1.5 trillion, your position is up roughly $20
  • If it drops 20%, you are down roughly $20
  • You can close your position at any time

What makes this different from the other paths:

  • No accreditation required — anyone can participate
  • No minimums barrier — start with as little as $10
  • Direct price tracking — your position moves with SpaceX's valuation, not a fund's blended portfolio
  • Full liquidity — enter and exit whenever you want

The trade-off is that you do not own shares and have no shareholder rights. For a deeper comparison, see our guide on ownership vs. price exposure.

Which path is right for you?

Secondary sharesFunds / public cos.Perpetual futures
What you holdActual SpaceX sharesFund units or public stockA price-tracking position
Accreditation requiredYesNoNo
Minimum investment$50k–$100k+$165–$2,000~$10
SpaceX-specific exposureDirectDilutedDirect
LiquidityLow (weeks to settle)Medium to highHigh (close anytime)
Ownership rightsYesNoNo

For most people — especially those who are not accredited investors — price exposure through perpetual futures is the most accessible way to participate in SpaceX's growth before the IPO. It does not replace ownership for those who qualify and want it, but it fills a gap that the traditional paths leave open. For a broader look at all the ways to invest in private companies, see our complete guide.

The bottom line

SpaceX is heading toward a public listing, but you do not have to wait. Secondary markets offer actual shares if you are accredited and can meet the minimums. Funds and public companies offer diluted indirect exposure. And perpetual futures on Ventuals offer direct SpaceX price exposure to anyone, starting at $10, with full liquidity.

Ready to get exposure to SpaceX before the IPO? Start on Ventuals

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not financial advice. It is not a recommendation or offer to buy, sell, or invest in any security, asset, or product. Always do your own research and consult qualified professional advisors before making investment decisions.

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