Investor FAQs

Registration on Highlander is simple (just like we try to make everything on our platform!). You can create your account two ways: sign up directly at app.highlander.ai, or start an investment on any company's page and you'll be prompted to create your account as part of that process. To sign up directly, select Sign Up from the top navigation menu, then select Investor on the following page. Fill out the required information: First Name, Last Name, Username, Email Address, and a Password. After submitting the form, you'll receive an automated email to confirm your email address. Once you confirm it, you'll have full access to the platform. Prefer to skip the form? You can also select Continue with Google to sign up with your Google account in one step, and we'll create your Highlander account for you automatically.

Identity verification is standard practice as part of Highlander's Know Your Customer and Anti Money Laundering (KYC/AML) compliance. You may receive a prompt as you log in to your Highlander account or through email to verify your identity to complete your investment. You may be flagged to verify your identity at the time of your first investment or after a later investment made on the platform.

Highlander is required to collect your Social Security Number so we can run identity and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) background checks. This is standard for regulated securities platforms and is part of the same Know Your Customer (KYC/AML) process used to verify your identity. Your SSN is used for verification purposes only.

Your investment limit under Regulation Crowdfunding is based on your annual income and net worth, so we collect your net worth to calculate how much you're allowed to invest over a 12-month period. You can see exactly how that limit is calculated in "Are there any limits to how much I can invest?" below. Accredited investors have no Regulation Crowdfunding investment limit.

Your net worth is the sum of your assets minus your liabilities. Assets are anything of value that you own, such as cash or property. Liabilities are any debts that you owe, such as a bank loan. When calculating net worth for Regulation Crowdfunding investment limits, you exclude the value of your primary residence. Visit the SEC's website for more detail on calculating your net worth.

To find companies raising on the platform, select "Invest" in the top navigation menu. All companies raising on the platform are located here! You can sort through all companies on the platform using the top sorting bar. To view an individual company raising on the platform, just select an individual company card and you will be taken to their virtual business pitch. All information pertaining to the offering is located here.

Equity crowdfunding is a way for everyday people to invest in private companies, usually early-stage startups, in exchange for a small ownership stake. Instead of raising only from venture capitalists or wealthy insiders, a company opens its round to the public, so you can invest online, often with a low minimum. If the company grows, your stake has the potential to grow with it. If it doesn't, you can lose your investment. Most equity crowdfunding on Highlander happens under Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF), an SEC framework that lets companies raise from both accredited and non-accredited investors.

When you invest in a company through equity crowdfunding, you are actually purchasing partial ownership in that business. If the companies you invest in on our platform grow and develop, your investment has the potential to do the same. By investing in startup companies, you are contributing to their foundation, and stand to benefit if they are able to continue building on that groundwork.

Highlander is an online crowdfunding platform that connects companies looking to raise capital with investors. Simplicity is everything at Highlander. We provide a simplified investment process with low minimum investments to create a more inclusive crowdfunding environment. Highlander Crowdfunding operates as an SEC-registered, FINRA-member funding portal, the type of regulated intermediary through which Regulation Crowdfunding offerings are conducted.

Investors must be over the age of 18 to participate in a crowdfunding campaign on Highlander. United States based investors can invest in any campaign on Highlander. The terms of each campaign on Highlander, from the type of security being issued to who can participate, are determined by each issuer raising on Highlander. Each offering's offering documents will list which jurisdictions are being solicited on the cover page. Many offerings that accept international investors offer credit/debit cards as well as wire transfers as payment methods for non-U.S. investors, but you should review each offering individually to understand the payment methods available. If you live outside the United States, it is your responsibility to fully observe the laws of any relevant territory or jurisdiction outside the United States in connection with any purchase of the securities, including obtaining any required governmental or other consents or observing any other required legal formalities. Each issuer on Highlander reserves the right to deny the purchase of securities by any foreign purchaser.

Highlander's minimum investment amount on each campaign is determined by each individual crowdfunding campaign. The typical range is between $100 – $500.

Investment limits are set by the regulation an offering is made under. For Regulation Crowdfunding, individual investors are limited in how much they can invest across all Reg CF offerings over a 12-month period:

• If either your annual income or net worth is less than $124,000, your limit is the greater of $2,500 or 5% of the greater of your annual income or net worth.
• If both your annual income and net worth are $124,000 or more, your limit is 10% of the greater of your annual income or net worth.
• In total, you may not invest more than $124,000 across all Reg CF offerings in a 12-month period.

These limits do not apply to accredited investors (Reg CF Rule 100(a)(2)).

Unfortunately, Highlander is unable to guarantee a return on your investment. The return on investment will depend entirely on the growth and development of the company you are investing in.

With equity crowdfunding, you typically make money in one of two ways, and only if the company succeeds. Most returns come from a liquidity event, such as the company being acquired or going public, where your shares may be worth more than you paid. Some investments, like revenue-share or debt deals, can pay you back over time instead. Startups rarely pay dividends, so this usually isn't a source of regular income. Keep in mind that returns are never guaranteed, shares generally can't be resold for at least a year, and there may be no market to sell them even after that. Many startups fail, and you can lose your entire investment.

Investing in startups is high risk, and you should only invest money you can afford to lose. The main risks include:

• Loss of your entire investment. Most startups fail, and if that happens you can lose everything you put in.
• Illiquidity. Your shares generally can't be resold for at least a year, and even then there may be no market to sell them, so your money can be tied up for a long time.
• Dilution. If the company raises more money later, your ownership percentage can shrink.
• Limited voting power and information. As a small investor you usually have little say in decisions, and a company may eventually stop publishing financial updates.
• No guaranteed return. Startups rarely pay dividends, and any return usually depends on the company being acquired or going public.

A good rule of thumb is to invest only a small portion of your savings, spread across several companies, rather than a large amount in one.

If a company you invested in fails, you will likely lose the money you put in. Startups are high risk, and many do not succeed. Unlike a bank deposit, your investment is not insured by the FDIC, SIPC, or any government agency, and there is no guarantee you will get any of it back. This is why it's important to invest only what you can afford to lose and to spread smaller amounts across several companies rather than putting a large amount into one. If your investment was structured as debt or a revenue-share, you may have limited recourse to recover part of your money, but there is still no assurance of repayment.

The type of security you receive depends on the offering, and each works differently. The most common types on Highlander are:

• Equity (stock). You own a piece of the company. Its value rises or falls with the company, and you typically only see a return if the company is acquired or goes public.
• SAFE. An agreement that converts into equity later, usually at the company's next priced round. You don't own shares yet, and conversion is set by a valuation cap or discount.
• Convertible note. Similar to a SAFE, but it's a loan that converts into equity later and may carry interest and a maturity date.
• Debt. The company borrows from you and repays over time, usually with interest. You don't receive ownership.
• Revenue share. You're repaid from a percentage of the company's future revenue rather than through ownership.

Each offering's page and its Form C explain exactly what you're buying and the rights that come with it. Every type carries risk, including dilution and the possible loss of your investment.

That depends on your financial situation and goals, and only you can decide. Equity crowdfunding is generally best suited for people who can afford to tie up money for years, are comfortable with the risk of losing their entire investment, and are investing for long-term potential rather than income or quick returns. It's usually not a good fit for money you may need soon, such as an emergency fund or savings for a near-term goal. Many investors treat it as a small, high-risk slice of a broader, more diversified portfolio. Highlander does not provide investment advice, so if you're unsure whether an investment is appropriate for you, consider speaking with a licensed financial professional.

Simply making an investment usually isn't a taxable event. Taxes generally come into play later, if you earn a return. If you eventually sell your shares for more than you paid, the profit is typically subject to capital gains tax, and the rate often depends on how long you held the investment. Interest from a debt investment or income from a revenue-share may be taxed as ordinary income. In some cases, gains on qualified startup stock held long enough can receive favorable tax treatment (known as QSBS), though the rules are specific. Highlander does not provide tax advice, so you should consult a qualified tax professional about your own situation.

Highlander offers several secure payment methods:

• Credit and debit cards. We accept most major credit and debit cards. There's no fixed cap beyond your card's available limit, though cards are generally recommended for investments under $5,000.
• Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Cash App Pay). These work like a card payment, with the same general limits and no set maximum.
• ACH bank transfer. You securely link your bank account through our payment processor, Stripe, by logging into your bank during checkout. Your bank login is handled by Stripe and is never shared with Highlander. ACH payments typically take 2–3 business days to clear.
• Wire transfers. Especially useful for larger investments (over $5,000). The transfer happens through your bank, and we'll email you directions if you choose this method. Your investment status stays "pending" until the wire is received.

No. Highlander is a regulated securities portal and can only facilitate investments through the platform. Please do not send checks to Highlander or any company listed on the site.

Once your payment is received, funds are taken from your account and placed into the company's escrow account. You will be immediately notified via email once your payment has been received. Equity purchased in the company will appear in your personal portfolio on the platform, however your purchase is not technically complete yet. Once the company you invested in disburses funds from the escrow account, your investment becomes official. At this point, you are no longer able to receive a refund and you will receive a countersigned version of the subscription agreement via email.

You can find your subscription agreement anytime in your account dashboard. Log in, go to the "My Investments" tab, open the "Actions" dropdown next to your investment, and select "Download Agreement."

Yes. You can cancel your investment any time up until 48 hours before the company plans to disburse funds from escrow. To cancel, log into your account and cancel from the "Actions" dropdown under "My Investments," or contact us at support@highlander.ai.

A few things to know:

• You'll be notified by email 5 days before a company plans to disburse funds. If you don't cancel before the 48-hour cutoff, refunds are no longer possible.
• If there's a material change to the offering, all investors are asked to reconfirm. If you don't reconfirm within 5 business days, your investment is automatically cancelled and returned to you.
• If a company doesn't meet its minimum funding goal, your investment is refunded within 5 business days of the campaign's end.

It depends on the offering. U.S.-based investors can invest in any campaign on Highlander. International investors may participate only in offerings that specifically accept investors from their jurisdiction, so check each offering's documents. If you live outside the United States, it's your responsibility to comply with the laws of your own jurisdiction, and each issuer reserves the right to decline investments from foreign purchasers.

Any company completing a Regulation Crowdfunding offering is required to provide an annual report on Form C-AR no later than 120 days after the end of its fiscal year. The report must be posted on the issuer's website. It is important to note that under certain stipulations, issuers may cease filing annual financial reports. This includes the following: the issuer is required to file reports under Exchange Act Sections 13(a) or 15(d); the issuer has filed at least one annual report and has fewer than 300 holders of record; the issuer has filed at least three annual reports and has total assets that do not exceed $10 million; the issuer or another party purchases or repurchases all of the securities issued pursuant to Regulation Crowdfunding, including any payment in full of debt securities or any complete redemption of redeemable securities; or the issuer liquidates or dissolves in accordance with state law.

Securities purchased in a crowdfunding transaction generally cannot be resold for a period of one year, unless the securities are transferred: (1) to the issuer of the securities; (2) to an "accredited investor"; (3) as part of an offering registered with the Commission; or (4) to a member of the family of the purchaser or the equivalent, to a trust controlled by the purchaser, to a trust created for the benefit of a member of the family of the purchaser or the equivalent, or in connection with the death or divorce of the purchaser or other similar circumstance. After an offering closes and your investment is complete, the issuing company will provide you with information regarding the location of official records of your Security purchase. They will also provide you with instructions for creating an account at this Transfer Agent. Highlander does not provide a market for selling securities once an offering closes. Investors should understand that even after 1 year, there is still no assurance of liquidity for your investment.

You can view every company you've invested in from your account dashboard. Log in and open the "My Investments" tab. Your investment appears here as soon as you make your investment commitment, and you can track its status from there. Watch the payment status to see when your funds are received. Even after payment shows as received, your checkout status will read "Complete – Pending Acceptance," which means the company hasn't closed on your investment yet. Once the company closes on your investment, the status updates to "Complete" and your investment is final.

If a company doesn't reach its minimum funding goal by the end of its campaign, the offering doesn't close and all investments are refunded. Under SEC rules, you'll be notified and your funds returned within five business days of the campaign's end.

Following the completion of an offering conducted through Highlander, there may or may not be an ongoing relationship between Highlander and the issuer.