Private Stock Resources: Tools, Calculators & Guides
Last Updated: January 2026
This comprehensive resource directory provides curated tools, platforms, research sources, calculators, and educational materials for private stock investors, employees with equity compensation, and anyone interested in pre-IPO investing. All links are to external, independent resources.
Table of Contents
Official Regulatory Resources
These government and regulatory resources provide official information, investor protection tools, and compliance guidance.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
- EDGAR Database — Search public company filings, pre-IPO Form S-1 registrations, and Form D private placement notices. Essential for researching companies preparing for IPO or recent private offerings.
- Investor.gov — SEC's investor education website with guides on accredited investor status, private placements, and investment fraud prevention. Includes complaint filing portal.
- Accredited Investor Definition — Official SEC guidance on accredited investor requirements, including 2020 amendments adding professional certifications.
- Rule 701 Guidance — SEC regulations governing equity compensation plans, important for understanding employee stock option rules.
FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority)
- BrokerCheck — Look up broker and financial advisor backgrounds, credentials (Series 7, 65, 82), and disciplinary history. Use before working with any financial professional on private stock transactions.
- FINRA Investor Education — Guides on investment types, risks, and rights. Includes content on private placements and alternative investments.
State Securities Regulators
- NASAA - Find Your State Regulator — Directory of state securities regulators. State regulators enforce securities laws, investigate fraud, and provide investor resources specific to your state.
- State Blue Sky Laws — Each state has additional securities regulations beyond federal law. Consult your state regulator for local requirements, especially for intrastate offerings.
IRS (Tax Resources)
- IRS Equity Compensation Guidance — Official tax guidance on stock options, RSUs, and restricted stock including ISOs, NSOs, and 83(b) elections.
- Form 6251 Instructions (AMT) — Instructions for Alternative Minimum Tax calculations, critical for ISO exercise planning.
- IRS Publication 550 — Investment income and expenses guide, including capital gains tax rates and reporting requirements.
Secondary Market Platforms
These platforms facilitate buying and selling private company stock. Each has different minimums, fee structures, and company availability. See our detailed platform comparison for more information.
Note: Always verify accreditation requirements, fees, and transaction terms directly with platforms. Minimum investments and available companies change frequently.
Major Secondary Market Platforms
Forge Global
Description: One of the largest and most established secondary market platforms for private stock. Forge provides marketplace, data, and custody services for private securities.
Minimum Investment: Typically $100,000+ (varies by opportunity)
Best For: High-net-worth investors seeking access to late-stage unicorns and established private companies
Notable Features: Extensive company selection, institutional-grade platform, proprietary valuation data (Forge Price), acquired SharesPost in 2020
EquityZen
Description: Employee-focused secondary market platform that pools investors into SPVs to access private company stock. Founded 2013.
Minimum Investment: $10,000-$25,000 (varies by opportunity)
Best For: Accredited investors seeking lower minimums and diversified access to multiple private companies
Notable Features: Lower minimums than competitors, strong focus on employee liquidity, educational content and research
Hiive
Description: Employee liquidity platform connecting startup employees selling shares with accredited investors. Focuses on transparency and employee education.
Minimum Investment: $25,000+ typically
Best For: Investors seeking earlier-stage companies (Series A-C) and employees looking to sell vested equity
Notable Features: Employee-centric design, educational resources for sellers, transparent fee structure
Carta
Description: Cap table management platform that also facilitates tender offers and company-sponsored liquidity programs. Not a traditional marketplace—works with companies to enable employee liquidity.
Best For: Employees at companies using Carta for cap table management; companies running tender offers
Notable Features: Company-authorized transactions only, integrated with existing cap tables, automated compliance and tax reporting
Zanbato
Description: Institutional-focused private securities marketplace with technology-enabled trading and research.
Minimum Investment: $250,000+ (institutional focus)
Best For: Institutional investors, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals with substantial capital
Notable Features: Proprietary research, large block trades, institutional liquidity
Research & Data Providers
These platforms provide data, valuations, and research on private companies to help you make informed investment decisions.
Private Company Data & Research
PitchBook
Description: Comprehensive private market data platform covering venture capital, private equity, and M&A. Industry-standard for institutional investors.
Cost: Subscription-based, $10,000-$40,000+ annually depending on tier
Data Includes: Funding rounds, valuations, cap tables, investor profiles, exit comps, market research
Best For: Professional investors, VCs, research analysts. Free trial available.
Crunchbase
Description: Crowdsourced database of startups, funding rounds, acquisitions, and key personnel. Good starting point for research.
Cost: Free basic tier; Pro tier $29-49/month; Enterprise custom pricing
Data Includes: Company profiles, funding history, founder/executive bios, news mentions
Best For: Individual investors doing preliminary research on companies and funding trends
CB Insights
Description: Tech market intelligence platform with proprietary data, research reports, and predictive analytics.
Cost: Subscription-based, typically $20,000+ annually
Data Includes: Unicorn tracker, market maps, trend analysis, M&A predictions, earnings calls transcripts
Best For: Institutional research, trend analysis, competitive intelligence
Tracxn
Description: Private company data and sector analysis covering 2.5M+ companies across global markets.
Cost: Subscription-based, pricing varies by region and use case
Best For: Investors focused on specific sectors or geographic markets (strong emerging market coverage)
PrivCo
Description: Financial data on private companies including revenue estimates, ownership, and debt. Covers 1M+ private companies.
Cost: Subscription-based, custom pricing
Best For: Due diligence on specific private companies, competitive analysis
Recommended Reading
These books, blogs, and academic papers provide deep knowledge on venture capital, equity compensation, and private markets.
Essential Books
Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist
Authors: Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson
Why Read: The definitive guide to understanding term sheets, cap tables, and venture capital negotiations. Essential for anyone receiving equity compensation or investing in startups. Explains liquidation preferences, anti-dilution provisions, and how VC deals actually work.
Best For: Employees evaluating equity offers, founders raising capital, investors learning VC mechanics
The Founder's Dilemmas: Anticipating and Avoiding the Pitfalls That Can Sink a Startup
Author: Noam Wasserman
Why Read: Research-based analysis of founder equity splits, hiring, and decision-making. Helps understand how founder decisions early on affect long-term equity value and company outcomes.
Best For: Understanding cap table dynamics from company formation through exit
Angel: How to Invest in Technology Startups
Author: Jason Calacanis
Why Read: Practical guide to angel investing from a successful early-stage investor (Uber, Robinhood, Calm). Covers deal evaluation, term negotiation, and portfolio construction.
Best For: Accredited investors beginning to invest in private companies
Equity Compensation in a Nutshell
Authors: Erik Clausen and Gary Green
Why Read: Comprehensive legal and tax guide to stock options, RSUs, and equity compensation structures. Technical but authoritative.
Best For: Employees with complex equity situations, tax professionals
Key Blog Posts & Articles
- AVC (A VC) - Fred Wilson — Long-running blog by Union Square Ventures partner covering venture capital, technology trends, and startup economics
- Both Sides of the Table - Mark Suster — Upfront Ventures partner writing about entrepreneurship, venture capital, and startup best practices
- Reaction Wheel - Jerry Neumann — Deep thinking on venture capital strategy, portfolio construction, and startup evaluation
- Holloway Guides — Comprehensive guides on equity compensation (The Holloway Guide to Equity Compensation) and raising capital
Academic Papers & Research
- "The Economic Implications of Corporate Financial Reporting" (Ball & Shivakumar) — Understanding financial reporting quality in private vs public companies
- "Valuation in Over-the-Counter Markets" (Duffie et al.) — Academic perspective on private securities valuation
- "Taxation and Corporate Payout Policy" (Chetty & Saez) — Understanding how taxes affect corporate decisions and shareholder returns
- "The Persistent Effect of Initial Success: Evidence from Venture Capital" (Gompers et al.) — VC returns and pattern recognition
Tools & Calculators
These tools help model equity compensation, calculate taxes, and plan exercises and sales.
Tax & Equity Calculators
Stock Option Tax Calculators
- EquityZen Calculator — Free calculator for modeling ISO vs NSO tax treatment, AMT impact, and holding period strategies
- Wealthfront Stock Option Planning Tool — Integrated with investment accounts, models exercise timing and tax optimization
- Schwab Equity Awards Center — Tools for Schwab brokerage clients with employer stock plans
- E*TRADE Equity Edge — Exercise modeling and tax withholding calculators for E*TRADE accounts
Capital Gains Tax Calculators
- IRS Tax Withholding Estimator — Official IRS tool for estimating tax liability including capital gains
- SmartAsset Capital Gains Calculator — Free calculator showing federal and state capital gains taxes by scenario
- TurboTax Capital Gains Calculator — Models short-term vs long-term rates, NIIT, and state taxes
QSBS Qualification Tools
- QSBS Expert — Service helping assess QSBS eligibility, calculate exclusion amounts, and plan tax-efficient sales
- QSBS Calculator (various CPAs) — Many accounting firms offer free QSBS calculators; search for "QSBS calculator" + your city
Vesting & Exercise Deadline Calculators
- 83(b) Election Deadline Calculator — Critical tool ensuring you don't miss 30-day filing deadline for restricted stock
- ISO AMT Crossover Calculator — Determines optimal ISO exercise amount to avoid triggering AMT
- Post-Termination Exercise Period (PTEP) Tracker — Calendars for tracking 90-day (or extended) exercise windows after leaving company
Valuation & Modeling Tools
- Carta Valuation Calculator — Free tool estimating private company equity value based on stage, sector, and revenue
- 409A Valuation Providers: Carta, Aranca, Valuation Research Corporation — If you need independent 409A valuation
- Cap Table Software: Carta, Pulley, Capshare — For founders/companies managing equity; some offer free tiers
Professional Services
Finding qualified professionals who understand private stock and equity compensation is critical for tax planning and financial decisions.
How to Find a Financial Advisor
- NAPFA (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors) — Fee-only fiduciary advisors. Search by location and specialty (equity compensation, stock options)
- CFP Board - Find a CFP Professional — Directory of Certified Financial Planners. Filter for equity compensation expertise
- XY Planning Network — Fee-only advisors serving younger professionals and tech employees, many specialize in startup equity
- Equity Compensation Specialists: Look for advisors with specific experience in ISOs, QSBS, and AMT planning (ask directly about their experience with these topics)
Finding a Tax Professional (CPA / EA)
- AICPA - Find a CPA — Directory of Certified Public Accountants. Essential to find CPA with equity compensation experience
- EA Directory — Enrolled Agents (federally licensed tax practitioners) often specialize in complex tax situations
- Questions to Ask:
- "How many clients do you have with ISOs or NSOs?"
- "Have you handled QSBS exclusions?"
- "Can you model AMT for ISO exercise scenarios?"
- "What's your experience with multi-state taxation for equity compensation?"
- Red Flags: If CPA isn't familiar with 83(b) elections, AMT, or QSBS, find someone who specializes in equity compensation
Legal Resources
- American Bar Association - Lawyer Referral — Find attorneys specializing in securities law or equity compensation
- Corporate/Securities Attorneys: For complex transactions, reviewing stock agreements, or ROFR negotiations
- Estate Planning Attorneys: If using trusts or entities to hold private stock, or planning for wealth transfer
Typical Professional Fees
- Financial Advisors: 1% AUM annually, or $200-$500/hour for project-based planning
- CPAs: $200-$600/hour depending on location and complexity; $2,000-$10,000 for comprehensive tax planning around stock sale
- Attorneys: $300-$800/hour for securities/tax attorneys; $5,000-$25,000 for complex transactions
- Accredited Investor Verification: $0-$500 depending on method
Note: Professional fees are typically tax-deductible as investment expenses in many cases. Always confirm deductibility with your tax professional.
News & Updates
Stay current on private markets, upcoming IPOs, funding rounds, and regulatory changes.
Industry Newsletters
Axios Pro Rata
Description: Daily newsletter on venture capital, private equity, and M&A. Covers funding rounds, exits, and industry trends.
Cost: Free
Best For: Daily updates on private market activity
StrictlyVC
Description: Daily newsletter and events focused on venture capital and startup ecosystem.
Cost: Free newsletter; paid event access
Best For: Silicon Valley-focused VC news and networking
The Generalist
Description: Long-form analysis of tech companies, business models, and investing strategies.
Cost: Free and premium tiers
Best For: Deep dives on specific companies and sectors
Term Sheet (Fortune)
Description: Daily email on deals, dealmakers, and VC/PE trends from Fortune's Dan Primack.
Cost: Free
Best For: Mainstream private markets coverage with analysis
Publications & Journalists to Follow
Technology & Startup Coverage
- TechCrunch — Breaking news on funding rounds, acquisitions, and tech industry trends
- The Information — Premium subscription publication with investigative reporting on tech companies and private valuations (subscription required, ~$400/year)
- Bloomberg Technology — Financial news including private company valuations, funding, and IPO pipeline
- Axios Technology — Smart brevity on tech and business with regular unicorn and funding coverage
Business & Finance Coverage
- Wall Street Journal - Venture Capital — Traditional business journalism on private markets and venture capital
- Financial Times - Private Capital — International perspective on private equity and venture capital
- Forbes - Midas List — Annual ranking of top venture capital investors and firms
Podcasts
All-In Podcast
Hosts: Chamath Palihapitiya, Jason Calacanis, David Sacks, David Friedberg
Description: Weekly discussion of tech, business, and markets by veteran investors and founders. Covers private market trends, IPOs, and macro factors affecting startup valuations.
Acquired
Hosts: Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal
Description: Deep-dive podcast on company histories, acquisitions, and business strategy. Episodes cover companies from founding through IPO/exit with financial details.
Invest Like the Best
Host: Patrick O'Shaughnessy
Description: Interviews with investors, founders, and business leaders. Covers investment strategies, company building, and emerging trends.
This Week in Startups
Host: Jason Calacanis
Description: Weekly show on startups, venture capital, and emerging companies. Insider perspective from active angel investor.
Equity (TechCrunch)
Description: TechCrunch's venture capital-focused podcast covering latest funding rounds, exits, and trends.
IPO Trackers & Calendars
- Renaissance Capital IPO Calendar — Comprehensive tracker of upcoming IPOs, recent pricings, and performance
- IPO Scoop — IPO news, ratings, and historical data
- Nasdaq IPO Calendar — Official calendar of upcoming Nasdaq listings
- SEC EDGAR - Form S-1 Filings — Search newly filed IPO registration statements to see companies preparing to go public
Market Data & Indices
- PitchBook-NVCA Venture Monitor — Quarterly report on venture capital activity, valuations, and trends (free)
- CB Insights State of Venture Report — Annual comprehensive analysis of venture capital trends
- SVB Startup Outlook Report — Annual survey of startup founder and VC sentiment (Silicon Valley Bank)
- Forge Global Private Market Index — Tracks private company valuations and trading activity on Forge platform
Explore More:
- How To Buy Unlisted Shares — Step-by-step guide to investing in private companies
- How To Sell Unlisted Shares — Complete guide to selling private stock
- Tax Implications Guide — QSBS, ISOs, NSOs, AMT, and tax planning
- Glossary — 100+ definitions of essential private stock terms
Have a Resource to Suggest?
We continuously update this resource directory. If you know of a valuable tool, calculator, platform, or educational resource we should include, please contact us.