Ever wanted to invest in a company like Gameflip while it's still growing? Thanks to platforms like StartEngine, you can. Whether you’re new to startup investing or looking for a refresher, this guide walks you through exactly how to get started—from account setup to owning a piece of the future.
🧠 What Is StartEngine?
StartEngine is one of the largest equity crowdfunding platforms in the U.S. It allows everyday people—not just venture capitalists or accredited investors—to back startups and receive real equity in return.
Founded in 2014, the platform has helped over 1,000 companies raise more than $1 billion. Now, it’s powering Gameflip’s next funding round—and giving fans and supporters a chance to own a piece of the platform they love.
🧾 What Do You Get When You Invest?
When you invest in a startup on StartEngine, you’re not buying a product or receiving a reward. You’re getting:
✅ Equity (Shares) – A legal ownership stake in the company.
🎁 Perks – Depending on how much you invest, you may receive exclusive rewards, such as merchandise, early access, or digital bonuses.
🧾 Digital Certificates – Proof of ownership, usually through a platform called Equity Management System (EMS).
🔔 Regular Updates – As a shareholder, you'll receive updates from the company on major developments.
Important: You won’t receive profits right away. Most startup investments are long-term plays, and returns only come if the company is acquired, goes public (IPO), or chooses to distribute dividends (which is rare early on).
🪜 Step-by-Step: How to Invest on StartEngine
Ready to jump in? Here's exactly how to invest through StartEngine:
Step 1: Visit the Campaign Page
Start by going to the company’s investment page. For example:
👉 Gameflip’s Raise on StartEngine
Here, you’ll find key info like:
The company pitch
Financials
Valuation
Equity structure
Investor perks
Make sure to read through everything, including the Offering Circular at the bottom of the page—it contains legal and financial disclosures you should review before investing.
Step 2: Click “Invest Now”
On the campaign page, click the “Invest Now” button. This begins your account setup and investment process.
You’ll be prompted to:
Create a StartEngine account
Verify your email address
Enter your personal and financial info
Confirm your identity (required by law)
Select your investment amount
Step 3: Choose Your Investment Amount
StartEngine makes investing accessible with low minimums:
💸 Minimum investment amounts vary by company, but typically start at $100–$250.
You’ll see how much equity you’re purchasing based on the share price and valuation.
Some campaigns offer bonus shares for early birds or higher investment tiers.
For Gameflip, minimum and bonus tiers are clearly outlined on the campaign page.
Step 4: Select Your Payment Method
StartEngine accepts multiple secure payment methods:
💳 Debit/Credit Card
🏦 ACH Bank Transfer (recommended for larger investments)
💵 Wire Transfer (for high-volume investors)
🪙 Crypto (in select cases)
Once you confirm your amount and method, you’ll authorize the payment. You will not be charged until the platform accepts your investment and the campaign progresses.
Step 5: Review Disclosures & Finalize
Before finalizing, StartEngine will prompt you to:
Confirm you’ve read the Offering Circular
Acknowledge you understand the risk (as required by the SEC)
Digitally sign the investment agreement
After submission, you’ll get a confirmation email. You can view your investment status anytime from your StartEngine dashboard.
🧩 How Long Does It Take?
Your investment is pending until the company accepts it.
Once processed, you’ll be notified via email.
Shares may take a few days to appear in your dashboard.
If the campaign fails to meet its minimum goal, your money is refunded.
💰 Investment Tiers & Perks
Most campaigns (including Gameflip’s) offer investor perks at different contribution levels. These may include:
Early access to new features
Exclusive investor merch (shirts, hoodies, collectibles)
Increased bonus shares
Direct input or access to investor Q&A sessions
These are designed to reward early believers and make the investing process more engaging for fans and customers.
🔐 Is StartEngine Secure?
Yes. StartEngine is:
Registered with the SEC
A member of FINRA
Compliant with Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) and Reg A+ laws
Secure, with encryption and verification standards in place
However, you should still do your due diligence:
Read the offering documents
Understand the risks of startup investing
Only invest what you’re comfortable losing—returns are not guaranteed
⚠️ Risks & Realities
While equity crowdfunding opens exciting doors, it’s important to know:
Most startups don’t IPO or get acquired right away.
Shares are illiquid—you can’t sell them like public stock unless the company is acquired or offers buyback options.
Your investment could become highly valuable—or not at all. That’s the risk.
That said, investing early in the right idea can lead to outsized gains—and personal satisfaction knowing you helped build something from the ground up.
🕹️ Why This Matters for Gameflip Fans
As a Gameflip user or gamer, investing in the platform means more than just owning stock:
You’re supporting the future of gamer-led commerce
You get to grow with the marketplace you already trust
You’re part of a movement to reshape how gamers buy, sell, and boost
Gameflip is inviting its own community to be part of its next chapter—and that’s what equity crowdfunding is all about.
