For Investors

Learn more about browsing, communicating with, and investing in local businesses. Expand your localized portfolio to generate potential ROI and ROC (return on community).

58 articles in this collection
Written by Isabel Strobing and Aran Ansari

Switching payment methods to reinitiate investments

Here's how to adjust your payment method if you received an error processing your debit card investment.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Mainvest Basics

How does Mainvest vet businesses?

Mainvest has a responsibility to believe that businesses do not raise investor protection concerns- here's how we determine who can raise.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Who can invest in on Mainvest?

Anyone can invest on Mainvest, regardless of wealth.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

What is Mainvest?

Mainvest is a regulation crowdfunding platform enabling investment in SMBs across the US.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Are there fees to joining?

Mainvest does not charge fees for joining our platform.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Investment Terms

Will anyone guarantee my investment?

Read the details on investment guarantees for offerings on Mainvest.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Will I be able to sell my Revenue-Sharing Note?

Selling revenue sharing notes can be complicated, learn the mechanics here.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

What happens if a company I’ve invested in defaults?

Understand your investor protections.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

What is an accredited investor?

You don't need to be an accredited investor on Mainvest but learn what it is here.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Are there minimum investments?

Yes - learn why here.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

If I invest in a business on Mainvest, do I become personally liable for anything?

Liability is never shared with investors, learn why.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

If the business is very successful, will I make a lot of money?

This is dependent on the type of offering - read up on the details here.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

What happens when a business does a "Rolling Close"?

How they work and what it means for you.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

What happens at the maturity date?

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

What happens if a business that I've invested in is acquired or sold?

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Privacy, Security, and Regulations

Do these investments carry risk?

Yes - learn why.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Is this a crowdfunding site?

Yes, Mainvest falls under regulation crowdfunding. Learn more here.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Is this like Kickstarter? or GoFundMe? or Indiegogo?

No - understand why here.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Is the information I give to Mainvest secure?

Understand the protections Mainvest provides investors.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

How does Mainvest decide which businesses can accept investment?

We have an extensive vetting process - learn more here.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

What are some of the risks of investing?

Learn about the risk you take on when investing in a business on Mainvest.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Does the government review these investments?

Understand the regulations around your investment.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

What is my investment limit?

Learn about the regulations that determine how much you're allowed to invest on Mainvest.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Can the business change the amount of my investment?

In some cases, yes. Read up on the details here.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Does Mainvest operate outside of the US?

At this time, Mainvest only works with businesses in the US, and investors must have a US bank account.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Is Mainvest secure?

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

How do I report Mainvest investments on my taxes?

Discover where to find 1099-INT information.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Payment Methods and Transactions

How to link a bank account

There are 3 ways to securely link your bank account to Mainvest in order to make investments.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

How do I pay for my investment?

Learn how we complete transactions.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Where does my money go when I invest?

Understand how we manage your investment.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Can I invest through my IRA?

Only with a specific type of IRA detailed here.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Why isn't my account ready to invest?

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Do I need to link a bank account to invest?

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Why do I need to connect my bank account to invest?

Here's why you'll have to connect your bank account instead of using a credit card or other form of payment for investing.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Link your bank account using a voided check

If you don't wish to use Plaid to link your bank account, you can send a picture of a voided check to us instead.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Troubleshooting microdeposits

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Why should I use a checking account with Mainvest?

Checking accounts are preferable to other types of accounts on Mainvest.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

How long do transactions take?

This will explain how long it should take for investments to be taken from your account, and refunds and repayments deposited.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

How do promo credits work?

Learn how to track and use Mainvest credit.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Cancellations, Refunds, and Repayments

What happens when a business I've invested in shuts down?

Information about bankruptcies, closing businesses, and shutting down operations after hosting a fundraise on Mainvest.

Written by Aran Ansari
Updated over a week ago

Can the business cancel my investment?

In short, yes. The business can accept or cancel any investment.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

I invested with a Debit Card. How can I withdraw my Repayments?

Linking a Bank Account is Required to Withdraw Repayment Funds

Written by Aran Ansari
Updated over a week ago

Can I track the performance of my investments?

Understand how your investments are doing.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

How do I withdraw my repayments?

Learn how to transfer your earnings here.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

I'd like to cancel my investment. How do I proceed?

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

How do repayments work?

Learn how you will be repaid on your investment.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Repayments & Custodial Accounts: How does it all work?

Learn more about receiving repayments and utilizing your custodial account on Mainvest.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Why doesn't a business that I've invested in have a revenue report due at the end of this quarter?

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Investing 101

What kinds of businesses are available for investment?

Brick and mortar is the name of the game.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

What happens if the business I invest in isn’t making payments?

If a business in your portfolio isn't making payments or responding to inquiries, this should help you make sense of the situation.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Can I invest with an LLC?

Yes - learn how here.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Do I have to become an investor to view offerings?

Signing up for an account gives you access to more information on Mainvest.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Is this like investing in the stock market?

No - understand why.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

Where can I learn more about the businesses?

Mainvest aims to provide extensive access to information on every business we list - learn where to find what.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

How much should I invest?

This is up to you but find resources for making the decision here.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

How should I choose between all the businesses on the site?

Discover tools that may aid in the decision-making process.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

How do perks work?

Some businesses offer perks for your investment, learn how they work.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago

What is Mainvest's role for investors?

Discover what Mainvest does for you.

Written by Isabel Strobing
Updated over a week ago