stub Investing in Cerebras Systems Stock | How to Buy Pre-IPO Shares (2025) – Securities.io
Connect with us

Venture Investing

Investing in Cerebras Systems Stock | How to Buy Pre-IPO Shares (2025)

mm

Securities.io maintains rigorous editorial standards and may receive compensation from reviewed links. We are not a registered investment adviser and this is not investment advice. Please view our affiliate disclosure.

Cerebras Systems is a leading AI and semiconductor company known for its groundbreaking Wafer-Scale Engine (WSE). However, the company remains privately held, which means its stock isn’t available for purchase through traditional public exchanges like the NYSE or NASDAQ. While this may seem like a barrier, there are ways to invest in Cerebras stock before it goes public, particularly through pre-IPO marketplaces .

A pre-IPO marketplace is a platform that allows investors to buy shares of private companies before they have their initial public offering (IPO). These marketplaces connect accredited investors with current or former employees, early-stage investors, or other insiders who may be looking to sell their private shares before the company goes public. Pre-IPO marketplaces provide an opportunity to invest in companies during their most dynamic growth phases, often at a lower valuation than what they would command once they go public.

Investing in companies before their IPO gives investors a chance to capture significant value as the company expands. These platforms offer investors the ability to enter into these private markets, even if they don’t have the substantial capital that traditional venture capital or private equity funds require. In this guide, we will explain how you can acquire Cerebras stock using various different platforms.

How to Buy Cerebras Systems Pre-IPO Shares

While Cerebras has filed to go public, it has not yet announced an official IPO date or timeline to start trading on Nasdaq. However, a key milestone was achieved in March 2025 when Cerebras obtained clearance from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to sell shares to Group 42, a Microsoft-backed AI company based in the United Arab Emirates. This regulatory approval removes a major uncertainty that had surrounded the company’s IPO plans.

Purchasing pre-IPO shares in a private company like Cerebras can be complicated, but it is sometimes possible through secondary marketplaces.

1. Pre-IPO Secondary Marketplace

Investors sometimes gain exposure to private companies through secondary marketplaces, which connect accredited investors with early shareholders—such as employees, venture firms, or insiders—looking to sell shares before a company’s IPO.

Pre-IPO investments offer the chance to invest during a company’s high-growth phase, often at lower valuations than in the public markets. However, these opportunities come with important considerations:

  • Eligibility: Secondary markets typically require you to be an accredited investor, meaning you must meet certain income or net worth thresholds.

  • Liquidity Risk: Private shares are usually illiquid until the company goes public or is acquired, meaning you may need to hold them for several years—or potentially indefinitely.

If you meet the requirements and are comfortable with the risks, several platforms offer access to pre-IPO opportunities:

  • Forge Global: One of the largest private stock marketplaces, offering shares in late-stage startups like SpaceX, Stripe, and Databricks. Minimums typically start around $100,000.

  • EquityZen: A popular platform allowing accredited investors to buy into private companies with minimums as low as $5,000. Past offerings include companies like Discord and UiPath.

  • Rainmaker Securities: A full-service broker that helps source and negotiate private share sales, including opportunities in companies like OpenAI, Stripe, and Palantir.

  • Hiive: A newer platform with live bid/ask pricing for hundreds of private companies. Transparent and low-fee, with minimums starting around $25,000.

  • MicroVentures: Offers pooled access to late-stage companies through special purpose vehicles (SPVs), including past investments in SpaceX and Instacart.

  • EquityBee: Allows investors to fund employee stock option exercises at startups, often at discounted valuations, with minimums around $10,000.

  • Augment: A digital-first marketplace showing real-time pricing for pre-IPO shares, targeting tech-savvy investors and offering lower transaction fees.

  • StartEngine Private: Launched in late 2023, this platform offers accredited investors access to Regulation D offerings in later-stage, venture-backed companies. In its first nine months, it generated $16.5 million in revenue, with average investments around $32,000

Important: Always perform thorough due diligence and consult a financial advisor before investing in private company shares.

2. Private Equity Firms

Private equity firms or venture capital (VC) funds may offer limited opportunities for high-net-worth individuals to invest in SpaceX. These funds often acquire shares directly from existing shareholders or from rounds of funding.

  • Access: This route may require significant capital, as private equity firms often deal in large transactions.
  • Long-Term Horizon: Investing through private equity firms typically comes with a longer-term commitment and limited liquidity until a public offering or a company buyout occurs.

3. Employee Equity Sales

SpaceX employees often receive equity as part of their compensation packages. In some cases, these employees may wish to sell some of their shares to generate liquidity. These transactions can be facilitated privately, but they often require buyers to work through brokers or legal teams to ensure everything is in compliance with securities laws.

  • Private Transactions: Buying shares from employees can be complicated, involving legal agreements, valuation concerns, and transfer restrictions. Ensure due diligence and legal compliance.
  • Brokerage: You may need to work with an investment broker familiar with private equity sales to negotiate and complete the transaction.

While the potential rewards are high, investing in pre-IPO SpaceX shares also comes with considerable risks.

1. Liquidity Risk

Pre-IPO shares are typically illiquid, meaning it can be difficult or impossible to sell them before the company goes public or is acquired. If SpaceX delays its IPO, you could be holding these shares for several years without the ability to sell. In some cases you may never be able to sell.

2. Valuation Risk

SpaceX’s valuation is based on private funding rounds and may not reflect what the company is worth when it eventually goes public. If the market does not agree with the current valuation, early investors may not see the returns they anticipated.

3. Regulatory Risk

SpaceX operates in a highly regulated industry. Changes in government policy, international regulations, or new laws governing space exploration or satellite deployment could impact SpaceX’s profitability.

4. Market Risk

As a pre-IPO investor, you are betting on the long-term success of the company. While SpaceX’s future prospects are bright, market conditions at the time of IPO (such as an economic downturn or market volatility) could negatively affect the stock’s performance.

Final Thoughts

Investing in Cerebras pre-IPO shares offers an exciting opportunity for those willing to navigate the risks of private markets. As a leader in AI chip technology with growing demand from sectors like artificial intelligence and cloud computing, Cerebras is well-positioned for potential long-term growth. However, investors should carefully consider the risks related to liquidity, valuation, and market volatility.

Before making any investment in Cerebras pre-IPO shares, it’s important to perform thorough due diligence, consult with financial experts, and ensure that such an investment fits your financial goals and risk tolerance. If Cerebras continues to scale its innovation and market presence, early investors may stand to benefit significantly from the company’s future success.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. Pre-IPO shares are typically available only to accredited investors and carry significant risk. Always perform thorough due diligence and consult with a financial advisor or legal expert before making any investment decisions.

Daniel is a big proponent of how blockchain will eventually disrupt big finance. He breathes technology and lives to try new gadgets.

Advertiser Disclosure: Securities.io is committed to rigorous editorial standards to provide our readers with accurate reviews and ratings. We may receive compensation when you click on links to products we reviewed.

ESMA: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Investment advice disclaimer: The information contained on this website is provided for educational purposes, and does not constitute investment advice.

Trading Risk Disclaimer: There is a very high degree of risk involved in trading securities. Trading in any type of financial product including forex, CFDs, stocks, and cryptocurrencies.

This risk is higher with Cryptocurrencies due to markets being decentralized and non-regulated. You should be aware that you may lose a significant portion of your portfolio.

Securities.io is not a registered broker, analyst, or investment advisor.

[flags_en_only]