How Thousands of Retail Investors Backed Startups That Became Industry Game-Changers

What happens when regular people—not just venture capitalists—get early access to the next wave of disruptive startups?‍

StartEngine has become more than just a crowdfunding platform—it’s a launchpad where breakout brands get their first big boost. From AI search engines to clean tech and blockchain innovation, these companies didn’t just raise millions—they built momentum, attracted institutional funding, and in some cases, reached multi-billion-dollar valuations.

In this post, we highlight 25+ of the most impressive StartEngine campaigns, diving into how much they raised, the type of investors they attracted, and the impact StartEngine had on their early growth.

1. Fanbase – Subscription Social Network

Raised: $12.3M (largest StartEngine Reg CF ever)

‍Offering Type: Reg CF‍

Security Type: Common Equity‍

Description: A monetization-focused social media app for creators to build subscription-based fan bases.‍

Key Achievements:

• Raised from 13,000+ retail investors.
• Offers revenue share via audio chat rooms, tipping, and subscriptions.
• Marketed as a fairer alternative to Instagram or TikTok for monetization.
• Featured in AfroTech and Billboard for creator-first funding.

Source: Fanbase on StartEngine+-

2. Perplexity AI – 17x Valuation Surge in Just 12 Months

Raised: $2.1M+ via StartEngine (Reg D 506(c) SPV)

‍Offering Type: Reg D 506(c)‍

Security Type: Membership Interests in SPV

Description: AI-powered search engine offering real-time, conversational answers — positioned as a competitor to ChatGPT.

Key Achievements:

• Valuation jumped from $520M to $9B in 2024 after a $500M round.
• Over 230M monthly queries and 10M+ active users.
• Revenue forecast increased from $10M to $50M within months.
• Backed by NVIDIA, SoftBank, and Jeff Bezos.

Source: Perplexity on StartEngine

3. StartEngine – $30M Revenue in Q1 2025

Raised: $11.8M+ via Reg A+ (Ongoing)‍

Offering Type: Reg A+‍

Security Type: Common Stock

Description: StartEngine is a leading equity crowdfunding platform giving everyday investors access to pre-IPO deals, including indirect exposure to companies like OpenAI, Perplexity, and Databricks.

Key Achievements:

• Posted record $30M revenue in Q1 2025 — 3x YoY growth.
• $1.7M GAAP net income and $5.2M adjusted EBITDA.
• “StartEngine Private” launched, enabling access to high-profile private deals.
• Acquired SeedInvest assets, growing total community to 1M+ users.

Source: StartEngine

4. Future Cardia

Raised: $1,975,110+

‍Offering Type: Reg CF‍

Security Type: Common Stock

Description: Pre-market med-tech company developing implantable cardiac monitors to enable real-time, continuous heart monitoring.

Key Achievements:

• Raised $14M+ from 10,000+ investors.
• 60,000+ hours of cardiac data collected from 39 patients.
• Backed by Stanford StartX, Johnson & Johnson’s JLABS, and Sand Hill Angels.
• On track for FDA 510(k) submission and commercialization.
• Valuation set at $46.9M; nearly $2M already raised in this round.

Source: Future Cardia on StartEngine

5. Virtuix

Raised: $2.62M (Reg CF)

‍Offering Type: Reg CF‍

Security Type: Series B Preferred Stock

Description: Developer of “Omni,” an omni-directional treadmill that enables 360° movement in VR gaming, simulation, and training.

Key Achievements:

• $18M+ in product sales and $40M+ total capital raised to date.
• Backed by Mark Cuban, Maveron, and Scout Ventures.
• 400,000+ registered players; 3M+ plays at Dave & Buster’s and other venues

Source: Virtuix on StartEngine

6. Ripple – Enterprise Blockchain for Global Payments

Raised: $1.1M (Reg D 506(c))‍

Offering Type: Reg D 506(c)‍

Security Type: Preferred Equity‍

Description: Ripple builds enterprise blockchain solutions for cross-border payments and financial infrastructure.

Key Achievements:

• Valued at $15B in most recent round.
• Partnered with over 300 financial institutions, including Santander and American Express.
• Positioned as a key player in blockchain-based global payments.

Source: Ripple on StartEngine

7. MyRadar – AI-Powered Weather Intelligence & Satellite Tech

Raised: $1.6M (Reg A+)‍

Offering Type: Reg A+‍

Security Type: Common Stock‍

Description: MyRadar is an AI-focused software company offering a popular weather app used by over 15 million users, now expanding into Earth-observing satellites.

Key Achievements:

• Trusted by 15M+ users with real-time weather and environmental threat alerts.
• Raised nearly $5M in past Reg CF rounds before this Reg A+ raise.
• Building its own satellite constellation for real-time Earth monitoring.

Source: ACME Atronomatic on StartEngine

8. GoSun – Solar-Powered EV Charging, Off-Grid Tech for Everyday Life

Raised: $424K+ (Reg CF)

Offering Type: Reg CF‍

Security Type: Common Stock

Description: GoSun creates portable, solar-powered products for energy independence—now entering the EV space with a solar rooftop charger.

Key Achievements:

• $7M+ in pre-orders for its upcoming off-grid EV Solar Charger.
• 175,000+ customers across 80+ countries trust GoSun for solar appliances.
• Positioned in a $500B+ combined market of EV, solar, and emergency tech.

Source: GOSUN on StartEngine

9. Kraken – One of the Oldest & Largest Crypto Exchanges Eyes 2026 IPO

Raised: $1.77M+ (Reg D 506(c))‍

Offering Type: Reg D 506(c)‍

Security Type: Common Shares

Description: Kraken is a global cryptocurrency exchange with 13M+ users, $1.5B in revenue, and plans to go public as early as Q1 2026.

Key Achievements:

• Valued at $5.5B with backing from GE Ventures and Tribe Capital.
• Posted $1.5B in 2024 revenue and $665B in trading volume across 2.5M accounts.
• Ranked among the world’s most trusted crypto exchanges by Forbes and CoinGecko.

Source: Kraken on StartEngine

10. Modern Mill – 100% Tree-Free Sustainable Building Materials

Raised: $816K+ (Reg CF)‍

Offering Type: Reg CF‍

Security Type: Class 1 Common Stock

Description: Modern Mill manufactures patented wood-alternative building materials made from upcycled rice hulls.

Key Achievements:

• $20M+ in 2024 revenue with strong product-market fit and national distribution.
• Backed by $84M in funding and featured in Forbes, Fast Company, and This Old House.
• Partners include Home Depot, Heineken, Chipotle, Marriott, Red Bull, and Menards.

Source: Modern Mill on StartEngine

11. Hylio – Autonomous Drones for Precision Agriculture

Raised: $2.8M+ (Reg CF)‍

Offering Type: Reg CF‍

Security Type: Common Stock

Description: Hylio builds autonomous drones and software systems that automate crop treatments, enabling precision agriculture with increased yield, reduced costs, and lower environmental impact.

Key Achievements:

• $30M+ lifetime revenue with $11M+ in 2024 alone
• FAA-approved for swarm operations with a single pilot—an industry first
• Trusted by USDA, Nutrien, Wilbur Ellis, and King Ranch
• Addressing a $556B total market across Ag Equipment, Drones, and Crop Protection
• Manufactured in the USA at their Texas HQ

Source: Hylio on StartEngine

12. BuildClub – Big Data AI for Smarter Retail Pricing

Raised: $2.07M+ (Reg CF)‍

Offering Type: Reg CF‍

Security Type: Common Stock

Description: BuildClub uses AI and big data to help consumers and retailers instantly compare prices across 1.5M+ products in 4,000+ retail stores—all from a browser extension.

Key Achievements:

• $5M+ in revenue since launch, with 77,000+ registered customers.
• Raised $6M+ from VCs, 50+ CEOs, and 1,200+ StartEngine investors.
• Received $350K+ in grants from Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and NVIDIA.
• Processes over 17 billion data points daily for real-time price tracking.

Source: BuildClub on StartEngine

13. Series 40-3 – Invest Indirectly in SpaceX

Raised: $8.57M+ (Reg D 506(c))‍

Offering Type: Reg D 506(c)‍

Security Type: Membership Interests in SPV

Description: Series 40-3 gives accredited investors indirect exposure to SpaceX, one of the world’s most disruptive aerospace and satellite companies.

Key Achievements:

• Secondary share sale in 2024 reportedly valued SpaceX at $350 billion, making it “the world’s most valuable startup.”
• Expected to generate $6.6 billion from Starlink in 2024—its first free cash flow positive year.
• Secured $10B+ in federal contracts from NASA and the Pentagon (2019–2023), plus $733.5M from U.S. Space Force.
• Over 400 successful Falcon 9 launches, disrupting the $15.7B U.S. satellite launch market.

Source: Series 40-3 on StartEngine

14. Proud Mary Coffee – Specialty Coffee That’s Changing the Game

Raised: $402K+ (Reg CF)‍

Offering Type: Reg CF‍

Security Type: Convertible Notes

Description: Proud Mary Coffee is a globally recognized, family-owned brand known for transforming the coffee experience through quality, sustainability, and storytelling.

Key Achievements:

• Generated $14M in annual revenue in 2024 with 16% average growth over a decade.
• Placed #4 in the world in the “100 Best Coffee Shops” global ranking.
• Serves 2,500+ weekly visitors per U.S. café; thriving multi-channel model includes cafés, e-commerce, and wholesale.

Source: Proud Mary Coffee on StartEngine

15. Norr Organic – Redefining Yogurt with Icelandic Tradition & Modern Wellness

Raised: Ongoing (Reg CF)‍

Offering Type: Reg CF‍

Security Type: Common Units

Description: Norr Organic offers clean-label, grass-fed, probiotic-rich Icelandic-style skyr yogurt. After a strategic acquisition, the company has grown rapidly, now available in major natural food retailers across the U.S.

Key Achievements:

• Achieved 340% growth post-acquisition (Q2 2021–Q4 2023), with $2.83M revenue in 2024 and $1.05M in Q1 2025.
• Positioned to lead in the growing $8.9B U.S. yogurt market, with skyr growing 31% YoY.
• Lean 5-person team with high gross margins and efficient unit economics.

Source: Norr Organic on StartEngine

16. AquiPor – Green Concrete Technology to Tackle Urban Flooding

Raised: $401K+ (Reg CF)‍

Offering Type: Reg CF‍

Security Type: Common Stock

Description: AquiPor develops patented porous concrete products designed to manage stormwater runoff and reduce urban flooding by allowing rainwater to soak naturally into the ground.

Key Achievements:

•  $850B+ storm damage problem targeted with permeable concrete that filters pollutants and manages runoff.
•  Holds exclusive rights to multiple patented green infrastructure technologies.
•  Positioned for growth in a $29B permeable paving market, supported by the $1T U.S. Infrastructure Bill.
•  Developed a full suite of solutions, including AquiDrain sidewalks, AquiFlow pour-in-place concrete, and AquiSorb water retention blocks.

Source: AquiPor on StartEngine

17. Chi-Chi’s – The Legendary Mexican Restaurant Is Making a Comeback

Raised: $1.41M+ (Reg CF)

Offering Type: Reg CF‍

Security Type: Common Stock

Description: Chi-Chi’s, a beloved household name from 1975–2004, is relaunching with two Minnesota locations and a scalable franchise model—marking its return to the U.S. Mexican dining scene.

Key Achievements:

• Over $1.4M already raised from investors eager to be part of the iconic brand’s return.
• Backed by original founder’s son, Michael McDermott—former CEO of Kona Grill ($30M IPO).
• Featured on CNN, TIME, NBC, and The New York Times—massive national buzz around its relaunch.
• Positioned in the $95.3B+ U.S. Mexican restaurant market, growing at 5.2% annually.

Source: Chi-Chi’s Restaurants on StartEngine

18. Mother Road Brewing Company – Building Community One Pint at a Time

Raised: $1.22M+ (Reg CF)‍

Offering Type: Reg CF‍

Security Type: Class B Common Stock

Description: Mother Road Brewing Company is an Arizona-based craft brewery dedicated to brewing distinguished beers and building community, inspired by the adventurous spirit of Route 66. With $10M in annual revenue and a presence across Arizona, New Mexico, and Southern Nevada, the company is expanding its reach with new beverages and modernized operations.

Key Achievements:

• $10M revenue in 2023 with over 5,300 points of distribution.
• Arizona’s #1 independent IPA (Tower Station) in 2023, per NielsenIQ.
• Strategic expansion across 3 states, serving 11.68M+ residents.

Source: Mother Road Brewing Company on StartEngine

19. Turn Therapeutics – Biotech Born from Survival, Scaling to FDA-Backed Innovation

Raised: $172K+ (Reg A+)‍

Offering Type: Reg A+‍

Security Type: Common Stock

Description: Turn Therapeutics is a biotech innovator turning a personal medical crisis into FDA-cleared, patent-backed treatments for wounds, eczema, and fungal infections—now eyeing a $15B+ market.

Key Achievements:

• Developed Hexagen™—used in 200,000+ patient applications with ZERO reported adverse events.
• Secured 3 FDA clearances, 16 patents, and an $85M+ license deal.
• Backed by executives from Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Arch Ventures, and top academic institutions.

Source: Turn Therapeutics on StartEngine

20. TRAiNED – AI-Powered Mortgage Processing Automation

Raised: $151K+ (Reg CF)‍

Offering Type: Reg CF‍

Security Type: Convertible Notes

Description: TRAiNED offers AI-powered automation for mortgage processing, helping lenders close loans faster and reduce operational costs with seamless LOS integration.

Key Achievements:

• Secured 15 contracted clients and surpassed $1M in annualized recurring revenue as of Q4 2024.
• Raised nearly $6M to date, including investments from mortgage industry veterans.
• Targeting a $20.5B mortgage tech market projected by 2026.
• Co-founders have successful SaaS and mortgage tech exits under their belt.

Source: TRAiNED on StartEngine

21. HMDmd – Wearable Surgical Displays for Precision & Ergonomics

Raised: $148K+ (Reg CF)‍

Offering Type: Reg CF

‍Security Type: Convertible Notes

Description: HMDmd is developing ultra-high-definition wearable surgical monitors designed to improve visualization and reduce fatigue for surgeons during minimally invasive, robotic, and microscopic procedures.

Key Achievements:

• Launched CR3 Wearable Surgical Monitor in April 2025 in partnership with global surgical microscope leader Carl Zeiss Meditec.
• Exclusive tech license from Kopin Corporation, a leader in high-performance microdisplays.
• Targeting a $10–15B estimated end-user market in surgical visualization and digital operating environments.

Source: HMDmd on StartEngine

22. Ajna BioSciences – FDA-Approved Botanical Drugs for Autism, Anxiety & PTSD

Raised: $713K+ (Reg CF)‍

Offering Type: Reg CF‍

Security Type: Series A Preferred Stock

Description: Ajna BioSciences is pioneering a new category in the $678B U.S. pharmaceutical market by developing FDA-approved botanical drugs—starting with plant-based treatments for Central Nervous System disorders like Autism and Anxiety.

Key Achievements:

• First drug candidate (AJA001) received FDA clearance for Phase 2 trials in children and adults with Autism.
• Second candidate (AJA002) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder is preparing for FDA review.
• Founded by leaders of Charlotte’s Web™, which scaled to $75M+ in revenue and IPO.

Source: Ajna BioSciences on StartEngine

23. Doc2Doc – Financial Solutions Built by Doctors, for Doctors

Raised: $1.15M+ (Reg CF)‍

Offering Type: Reg CF‍

Security Type: Class B Non-Voting Common Stock

Description: Doc2Doc provides physician-focused lending solutions designed to overcome the financial barriers doctors face—delivering fast, fair, and tailored personal loans through a doctor-centric underwriting process.

Key Achievements:

• $136M+ in loans funded to 3,500+ physicians nationwide.
• 30% YoY growth in personal loan volume, with $40M+ originated annually.
• $100M+ in lending capacity secured + $21M raised in equity.

Source: Doc2Doc on StartEngine

24. Babbily – All Major AI Models on One Platform

Raised: $287K+ (Reg CF)‍

Offering Type: Reg CF‍

Security Type: Common Stock

Description: Babbily unifies top-tier AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, DeepSeek, and Gemini into one seamless, subscription-based platform—simplifying access and saving users from managing multiple paid accounts.

Key Achievements:

• 25,000+ users onboarded, including 300+ paying subscribers.
• $14K/month enterprise deal signed, expanding into B2B.
• Forever-free plan available with up to 5 daily AI generations.
• Positioned in a projected $1.81T global AI market by 2030.

Source: Babbily on StartEngine

25. Good Thoughts – The New Face of Behavioral Health

Raised: $362K+ (Reg CF)‍

Offering Type: Reg CF‍

Security Type: Class B Common Stock

Description: Good Thoughts is revolutionizing therapy with a SaaS platform that enables immersive, AI-powered virtual therapy sessions in a customizable VR environment—enhancing engagement and expanding access.

Key Achievements:

• $741K+ raised to date with growing investor confidence.
• Partnerships secured with major therapy centers, including Recovery Unplugged (18,000+ patients treated).
• Integrates AI-assisted note-taking & EHR systems for HIPAA-compliant enterprise adoption.
• Positioned in a $258B+ behavioral health market undergoing rapid digital transformation.

Source: Good Thoughts on StartEngine

26. Purity Coffee – Redefining Coffee for Health and Sustainability

Raised: $1.05M+ (Reg CF)‍

Offering Type: Reg CF

‍Security Type: Class B Non-Voting Common Stock

Description: Purity Coffee produces regeneratively grown, lab-tested organic coffee optimized for health, taste, and sustainability—trusted by over 29,000 active subscribers and 42,000+ reviews with a 4.9-star average.

Key Achievements:

• $65M+ in lifetime sales since founding in 2016.
• 101% average CAGR over the last 8 years.
• Leading organic whole bean coffee brand on Amazon with 7,500+ new customers/month.

Source: Purity Coffee on StartEngine