Revolut has unveiled plans to let everyday investors buy into private technology companies, a market long dominated by wealthy individuals and large institutions. The new platform, called Revolut Ventures, is being developed with Dublin-based Carne Group and is expected to launch in 2027, integrated directly into the Revolut app alongside existing options such as stocks, ETFs, bonds, and money market funds.
The announcement, made on Monday, comes as private companies are delaying their stock market debuts. According to figures cited by Revolut, the median age of a company at listing has risen from 6.9 years in 2014 to 11 years in 2025. That means a growing share of a company's value creation now happens before shares become available to the public.
“With Revolut Ventures, we're aiming to dismantle one of the final barriers in wealth management: retail investor exclusion from non-listed companies,” said Rolandas Juteika, Head of Revolut Wealth and Trading (EEA) at Revolut. “Value creation happens long before an IPO, and by managing our own platform, we're giving everyday investors the opportunity to access tomorrow's market leaders right from the Revolut app.”
The move follows Revolut's introduction of private market investment products in selected European Economic Area countries in July 2026. The company has been expanding its financial services footprint, securing full banking licences in the UK and France earlier this year. This latest venture builds on that momentum, positioning Revolut as a broader wealth management player rather than just a payments app.
Risks remain high
Investing in private companies carries significant risks that differ from public markets. Shares in unlisted firms are far more difficult to sell, and investors could lose a substantial portion or even all of their capital. Unlike publicly traded stocks, there is no liquid secondary market, and valuations can be opaque. Revolut has acknowledged these risks, but argues that the potential rewards justify the exposure for eligible investors.
The platform is set to operate within the EEA, with eligibility criteria yet to be detailed. Carne Group, a specialist in fund governance and administration, will provide oversight and infrastructure, which may help address regulatory concerns. The partnership is designed to ensure compliance with European investment rules, which vary across the 27 member states plus the UK, Switzerland, and Norway.
Revolut's push into private markets reflects a broader trend across Europe, where fintech firms are seeking to democratise access to asset classes that were once the preserve of the wealthy. Similar initiatives have emerged in other sectors, such as Greece's new supercomputer for AI research, which aims to level the playing field in technology. However, Revolut's scale—with millions of users across the continent—could make this one of the most significant attempts yet.
Industry analysts note that the delay in IPOs is not just a European phenomenon but is particularly pronounced in tech, where companies like Revolut itself have chosen to stay private longer. By offering access to such firms, Revolut is tapping into a growing demand from retail investors who have watched tech valuations soar before public listings. Yet, the illiquidity and high failure rates of startups mean that this is not a market for the faint-hearted.
Revolut's announcement also comes at a time when the company is navigating regulatory scrutiny across Europe. Earlier this year, a major outage left millions of customers unable to access their funds, raising questions about operational resilience. The company has since worked to rebuild trust, and the launch of Revolut Ventures is part of a broader strategy to deepen customer relationships.
For now, interested investors will have to wait until 2027. Revolut says the platform will be rolled out gradually, with more details on eligibility and specific offerings to be announced closer to launch. In the meantime, the company is likely to face close scrutiny from regulators and consumer groups concerned about the risks of retail participation in private markets.
As Europe's fintech landscape evolves, Revolut's move could set a precedent. If successful, it may encourage other platforms to follow suit, further blurring the line between public and private investing. But for the average European, the key takeaway is clear: the world of private tech investing is opening up, but it comes with strings attached.
