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Private Shares Trading

The Private Shares Trading team facilitates transactions in privately held securities, with a focus on shares of venture-backed companies. Generally, these companies are valued at $500 million or above (series C or later).

The team represents both buyers and sellers, handling pricing negotiation between parties and issuer approval for ownership transfer.

Our team works diligently to provide secondary liquidity for longtime shareholders of venture-backed companies and to help asset managers build positions in these tightly held companies outside of the traditional fundraising environment.

Contact Us

  • I am a Private Shares Seller

    • Venture or Secondaries Fund
    • An employee of a private/Venture-backed company with shares to offer
    • Angel Investors

    Submit an inquiry
  • I am a Private Shares Buyer

    • Venture or Secondaries Fund
    • Hedge Fund
    • Mutual Fund Complex
    • Pension Plan
    • E&F or Family Office
    • Insurance Companies

    Submit an inquiry

Our Capabilities

Learn more about how the Private Shares Trading team offers a “one-stop-resource” for both buyers and sellers of private shares, drawing on the depth and breadth of our comprehensive, award-winning research platform across both public and private companies.

Download this brochure
  • Private Shares Trading Sees Barbell Effect: Late-Stage and AI Ventures in High Demand

    William Blair’s head of private shares trading, Tony Frascotti discusses the surge in interest for late-stage companies and AI ventures, evolving fundraising trends, and the flexibility in secondary policies amid a transitioning market.

    Read more

Contact Us

Form CRS Relationship Summary

Beginning June 30, 2020, investment advisers (and broker-dealers) are required to provide retail investors with a disclosure form known as Form CRS. Form CRS is intended to be a simple, easy-to-read client relationship summary and discloses:

  • The types of client relationships and services the firm offers
  • The fees, costs, conflicts of interest and standard of conduct associated with those relationships and services
  • Whether the firm and its financial professionals currently have reportable legal or disciplinary history
  • How to obtain additional information about the firm

Download Form CRS

Brokerage Relationship Guide

Read important information about your Brokerage relationship with William Blair Private Wealth Management.

Download relationship guide

More About Private Shares Trading

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Information contained on the internet is not subject to William Blair & Company's control or review, and may not be accurate.

For disclosure information, please visit www.williamblair.com/disclosures