Individual investors have never had more ways to access private markets.^1^ Fintech platforms. Wealth advisors. Employer-sponsored retirement plans. The question is, which approach is right for you?
One thing's for sure: none of them are shy about promoting their own advantages. Crowd Street included!
So we wanted an outside perspective. Someone who's seen every corner of private markets and knows what really matters when you're getting into them. Enter Jay Bhatti.
A serial entrepreneur and investor, Jay is the co-founder of the venture capital firm Brand Project and has evaluated hundreds of private market deals. Over the last fifteen years, he's raised funds, invested through digital platforms, and worked alongside private wealth managers.^2^
We asked Jay to try Crowd Street the same way any investor would. Then, tell us candidly whether it deserves a place in his own private markets strategy.
If you're considering private markets yourself, his perspective offers useful insight into the practical considerations experienced investors care about.
First we'd love to hear about your investment process. When you're surveying private markets, what kinds of things are you looking for?
“Deal flow has always been the most important thing.
Sixteen years ago, when I sold my first company, it wasn't easy to get access to great founders or funds. I'd have to travel to trade shows and conferences and talk to people. You'd hear about some of the really exciting deals out there, but it was all relationship-driven.
Then, even if you got access, it was on you to do the due diligence. I'd go through the prospectus with a fine-tooth comb, asking tons of questions.
Over the years, it's become easier. Through wealth managers or some of these fintech platforms, you can now access many more private deals and funds. They've curated their offerings, and they can handle a lot of the initial due diligence for you, which makes my life easier as an investor.
But at the end of the day, deal flow is still what I’m looking for. How can I get access to the best opportunities in private markets?”
Crowd Street provides access to offerings from third-party sponsors. Investors should conduct their own independent due diligence before making any investment decision.
You mentioned fintech. Do you have experience investing in private markets through digital platforms?
“Yes, quite a bit. I was investing through AngelList more than a decade ago. I've tried most of them.
For a long time, unless you were a partner at a venture capital fund, there wasn't anything out there that would curate deals for you and bring them together in one place.
These digital investment platforms filled an important gap in the market.”
Let’s talk about Crowd Street, starting with the sign-up process. What’d you think?
“Crowd Street keeps it simple.
Like I said, I've used all these platforms, and a lot of them make you jump through hoops just to sign up. They ask for bank statements, tax documents, and all kinds of information upfront.
When you're busy, you don't want to do that. I'll provide those documents when I'm ready to invest in an offering, but it shouldn't take hours just to see what a platform looks like.
Crowd Street makes it very easy. They use a soft signup, so it only took me a few minutes to get onto the platform and start checking out the offerings.”
Once you were signed up, how did you find the process of reviewing Crowd Street’s investment offerings?
“I loved how straightforward it was.
I could immediately browse the fund offerings and find all the information I needed. And if I wanted to dive deeper, I could.
When you're an investor, you don't want to feel like someone is hiding the ball. There are always going to be a few questions I want answered immediately. What's the historic annualized distribution rate? What's the total return since inception?
I don't want to go hunting for that information, and with Crowd Street, I don't have to. It's all right there.
When I tried some of the other major fintech platforms, most of the time, there was just too much complexity. It wasn't a clean experience.
The other thing I liked about Crowd Street is that I'm seeing offerings from sponsors I know. These are established investors. That gives me some comfort because they're not just random sponsors I don't know if I can trust. These are experienced fund managers who do their due diligence.”
Sponsor availability is subject to change, and the presence of any sponsor on the platform is not a guarantee of performance or an endorsement by Crowd Street.
What do you expect from a platform after you've made an investment?
“There are two things I care most about once I've made an investment.
Number one: how much information am I getting? I want regular updates.
Number two: where are my tax documents? I need to get my K-1s and 1099s on time come tax season.
It's really as simple as that. Investors want a platform that provides a high-quality, curated group of offerings to consider. And once they've made their choice, they want transparency and a smooth experience.
This is another reason why the caliber of fund managers on Crowd Street is nice to see. When you're investing with a no-name sponsor, you don't know for sure if they'll be good about reporting, or whether you can trust all the information you're getting. When you're dealing with a large, established fund manager, you know they'll be good about all of that.”
Do you expect private market assets to be in your portfolio going forward?
“Private markets will always be part of my strategy.
It's funny—because I've been investing in private markets for so long, I've always understood the benefits and risks. Alpha, diversification, and so forth. But you didn't always hear that from more traditional investors. The conversation was only about stocks and bonds.
Now, major banks and wealth managers are telling their clients to consider alternatives alongside traditional investments. So you can see it finally catching on and becoming more mainstream.”
The potential benefits of private market investing, including diversification and return potential, are not guaranteed. Private market investments carry significant risks, including illiquidity and loss of principal.
Last question: would you consider making Crowd Street part of your investing approach?
“Definitely. Like I said, it checks all the boxes for me.
Is the experience on the platform simple and straightforward? Yes.
Do they provide access to offerings from established sponsors? Yes.
Can I find all the information I need in one place? Yes.
Once you know you want to invest in private markets—as I do—you want trust, transparency, and simplicity. Crowd Street seems like a great way to get all three.”
Now, you don't have to take our word for it.
Crowd Street is designed for investors who want a straightforward way to access private market investment opportunities.
The only question left is whether it is right for your own investment strategy. Create an account, explore the platform, and decide for yourself.
Join thousands of other members on Crowd Street today.
About This Interview: This article was produced in partnership with Literate AI on behalf of Crowd Street. Jay Bhatti reviewed the Crowd Street platform at the agency's request. Mr. Bhatti was not compensated for his participation. His views are his own, and his experience may not be representative of other investors' experiences.
Important Disclosures: Private market investments involve significant risks, including illiquidity, loss of principal, long holding periods, limited transparency, and the speculative nature of the underlying investments. These investments are generally available only to investors who meet applicable eligibility requirements, including accredited investor status. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Crowd Street Capital LLC is a registered broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Crowd Street does not provide investment advice. The information presented is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with their financial, legal, and tax advisors before making any investment decision.
Investments offered through Crowd Street are not FDIC insured, are not bank guaranteed, and may lose value.
