Augment Markets Secures $12 Million Series A Funding to Boost Private Market Liquidity

Austin, TX – Augment Markets, a platform dedicated to enhancing liquidity in private company shares, has successfully closed a $12 million Series A funding round. The investment was led by Builders VC, with additional participation from Neo, Golden Section, E1 Ventures, TheRealCorpBro, and OPCO Ventures. This capital injection coincides with the company's unveiling of a refreshed brand identity, reflecting its significant growth and evolving corporate culture.

Noel Moldvai, founder of Augment Markets, announced the milestone, stating the company's mission is to create "the simplest and fastest way to buy and sell shares in private companies." Moldvai highlighted the stark contrast in liquidity between public and private markets, noting that public markets trade four times their total market capitalization annually, whereas private markets trade only approximately 3%. Augment Markets aims to address this inefficiency, especially as companies increasingly remain private for extended periods.

The Austin-based firm has demonstrated rapid expansion, achieving a $10 million revenue run rate and accumulating over $400 million in assets under management (AUM) within 18 months of its launch. Furthermore, its team has grown from fewer than 10 employees to 35 in the past year, operating profitably year-to-date. This growth underscores a rising demand for solutions that facilitate transactions in the private equity landscape.

The company's strategy is particularly focused on "centi-corns"—private companies valued at over $100 billion—which require capital for growth but choose not to go public. Moldvai emphasized, "Illiquidity starts looking more like a bug, not a feature," especially with accelerated growth in the age of AI. The newly secured funds are earmarked to "build deeper liquidity, more scale, more transparency, more trust, more access, and more innovation" within these markets.

Builders VC, known for investing in founders who are transforming foundational industries, leads this round, signaling strong confidence in Augment Markets' potential to disrupt traditional private capital markets. The funding positions Augment Markets to further develop its platform and expand its reach, promising a future where private markets are more accessible and liquid for both companies and investors.