How to Buy Neuralink Stock Before the IPO

Elon Musk’s brain-computer interface company just hit an $8 billion valuation—and you want in before it goes public. The short answer: most investors can’t buy Neuralink stock. The company remains private, Musk has given no indication of IPO plans, and the secondary markets that trade Neuralink shares require accredited investor status and five-figure minimums.

Unlike SpaceX or OpenAI, Neuralink offers almost no indirect exposure options. No ETFs hold shares. No public companies own meaningful stakes. If you don’t qualify as an accredited investor, your only real option is waiting for an IPO that may be years away.

This guide breaks down exactly who can access Neuralink shares, through which platforms, at what cost—and the realistic alternatives (or lack thereof) for everyone else.

Quick Summary

What Is Neuralink?

Neuralink is developing brain-computer interfaces (BCIs)—implantable devices that allow direct communication between the human brain and computers. Founded by Elon Musk in 2016, the company aims to help people with paralysis control digital devices using only their thoughts.

The technology involves a coin-sized implant called the “Link” that’s surgically placed in the skull. Ultra-thin threads, thinner than human hair, extend into the brain to detect neural signals. A custom surgical robot performs the implantation with precision impossible for human surgeons.

Key Milestones

The company received FDA approval for human clinical trials in 2023—a critical regulatory hurdle. In January 2024, Neuralink performed its first human brain implant, with the patient successfully controlling a computer cursor through thought alone.

In September 2024, the FDA granted Neuralink breakthrough device designation for its vision implant—a separate device aimed at restoring sight to the blind. This designation accelerates the regulatory pathway.

Why Investors Are Interested

The brain-computer interface market could transform medicine, gaming, communication, and human-computer interaction. Neuralink’s combination of Musk’s track record, substantial funding, and FDA progress makes it the highest-profile player in the space.

The June 2024 valuation of $8 billion represents a 60% increase from just six months earlier—reflecting investor enthusiasm about human trial progress.

Can You Buy Neuralink Stock?

The direct answer: Only if you’re an accredited investor with $25,000+ to invest.

Neuralink is a private company. Its shares don’t trade on any public stock exchange. You can’t open a Robinhood or Fidelity account and buy NRLK (there is no ticker symbol).

However, some private company shares do trade on secondary markets—platforms that match buyers and sellers of pre-IPO stock. Neuralink shares occasionally appear on these platforms, but availability is limited and requirements are strict.

For Accredited Investors

If you meet the SEC’s accredited investor criteria, you have one primary option:

Forge Global currently lists Neuralink shares for trading. Recent pricing shows approximately $75 per share, though this fluctuates based on supply and demand. Minimum investments typically start at $25,000.

Other platforms like EquityZen and Hiive may occasionally have Neuralink shares available, but availability varies significantly. You’ll need to create accounts and join waitlists.

For Non-Accredited Investors

You have no direct path to Neuralink shares. The company hasn’t conducted any public offerings, and secondary market platforms are restricted to accredited investors.

Your only option is waiting for an eventual IPO—which may be 3-7+ years away, if it happens at all.

Do You Qualify as an Accredited Investor?

The SEC defines accredited investors as individuals who meet at least one of these criteria:

Income Test:

• $200,000+ annual income for the past two years (individual), OR
• $300,000+ combined with spouse
• Reasonable expectation of the same income this year

Net Worth Test:

• $1 million+ net worth, excluding primary residence

Professional Credentials:

• Series 7, 65, or 82 licenses
• Certain professional designations

Reality Check: About 13% of U.S. households qualify as accredited investors. If you don’t qualify, the “Alternatives for Retail Investors” section below covers your limited options—but spoiler alert: there aren’t many for Neuralink specifically.

How to Invest in Neuralink (If Accredited)

If you meet accredited investor requirements, here’s how to access Neuralink shares:

Secondary Market Platforms

Forge Global

Forge is the most established platform currently showing Neuralink availability. Here’s what to expect:

• Minimum investment: Typically $25,000+
• Fees: 2-5% transaction fee
• Process: Create account → verify accreditation → browse available shares → place order
• Timeline: Transactions can take 2-4 weeks to settle
• Pricing: Market-based; recent trades around $75/share

EquityZen

EquityZen occasionally has Neuralink shares, though availability is inconsistent:

• Minimum investment: $10,000+
• Fees: 5-10% (varies by deal)
• Waitlist: You’ll likely need to join a waitlist for high-demand companies

Hiive

Hiive is a newer platform that may have Neuralink availability:

• Minimum investment: $25,000+
• Fees: 2-5%
• Note: Verify current Neuralink availability directly with platform

Important Considerations

Verification process: All platforms require documentation proving accredited status. Expect to provide tax returns, brokerage statements, or third-party verification letters.

Share structure: Pre-IPO shares often come with restrictions. You may be purchasing shares through an SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) rather than direct company stock. Understand exactly what you’re buying.

Pricing opacity: Unlike public markets, there’s no real-time price discovery. The price you pay depends on what sellers are asking and what buyers are bidding.

Alternatives for Retail Investors

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Neuralink has almost no indirect investment alternatives.

Why Neuralink Is Different

Most high-profile private companies offer some path to indirect exposure:

• SpaceX: Alphabet owns shares; some mutual funds hold positions
• OpenAI: Microsoft has significant investment (though complex structure)
• Stripe: Various venture funds with public exposure

Neuralink has none of this. No public company owns a meaningful stake. No ETFs hold shares. No mutual funds have disclosed positions.

What You Can Do Instead

Option 1: Wait for the IPO

The most straightforward path. If Neuralink eventually goes public, you’ll be able to buy shares through any brokerage. The downside: you miss any pre-IPO appreciation, and the IPO may be 3-7+ years away (or never happen—Musk has kept SpaceX private for over 20 years).

Option 2: Invest in the Brain-Computer Interface Sector

If you believe in the BCI thesis rather than Neuralink specifically, consider the broader landscape. Unfortunately, most competitors are also private:

None offer retail investment access.

Option 3: Adjacent Public Companies

These are extremely indirect plays, but if you want any public market exposure to neurotechnology:

These are large medical device conglomerates where brain-related products represent a small fraction of revenue. You’re not really investing in Neuralink’s vision—you’re investing in diversified healthcare companies.

Option 4: Robotics and AI ETFs

Some ETFs focus on AI and robotics themes that overlap with Neuralink’s technology:

Important: None of these hold Neuralink shares or provide meaningful BCI exposure. They’re thematic plays on adjacent technologies.

The Honest Assessment

For retail investors specifically interested in Neuralink, the options are:

1. Become an accredited investor (if close to thresholds)
2. Wait for an IPO
3. Accept that this investment opportunity isn’t accessible to you

This isn’t satisfying, but it’s accurate.

Neuralink Valuation History

What the Valuation Means

Neuralink’s $8 billion valuation is based on potential, not revenue. The company is pre-commercial—it has FDA approval for clinical trials but generates no meaningful product revenue.

For context, Medtronic’s entire brain therapies division (an established business with actual sales) generates roughly $1.5 billion annually. Neuralink’s valuation implies the market expects it to eventually dwarf existing players.

This could be justified if Neuralink achieves its vision. It could also represent significant overvaluation if the technology faces setbacks or competition accelerates.

The Real Risks of Investing in Neuralink

Secondary market platforms make Neuralink accessible—but they don’t make it safe. Here’s what you’re actually signing up for:

Liquidity Risk: You Probably Can’t Sell When You Want

Unlike public stocks, there’s no guaranteed buyer for your Neuralink shares. If you need to exit:

• You must find a buyer on a secondary platform
• Transaction times can take weeks or months
• You may have to accept significant discounts
• Some shares have restrictions until IPO

The reality: Treat any Neuralink investment as locked capital for 5-10 years.

Valuation Risk: $8 Billion for a Pre-Revenue Company

Neuralink’s valuation is based entirely on future potential. There’s no revenue multiple to anchor expectations. The company could be worth $50 billion at IPO—or it could face down-rounds if trials disappoint.

Remember Instacart: valued at $39 billion in private markets, IPO’d at $9.9 billion. That’s a 75% haircut for peak-valuation buyers.

Regulatory Risk: FDA Approval Is a Multi-Year Process

Human trials are just the beginning. The path from clinical trials to commercial FDA approval typically takes 3-5+ years for medical devices. Any safety issues—device failures, adverse events, unexpected complications—could halt progress entirely.

Neuralink’s first human patient experienced some thread retraction issues. While the company addressed this, it illustrates that the technology is genuinely experimental.

Key Person Risk: The Musk Factor

Neuralink’s valuation is partly based on Elon Musk’s involvement and track record. But Musk runs multiple companies (Tesla, SpaceX, X, xAI). His attention is divided, and Neuralink’s success depends heavily on his continued engagement and the talent he attracts.

Competition Risk: Synchron Is Ahead

Synchron, a competitor, already has FDA approval for commercial use of its brain-computer interface. Their approach is less invasive (endovascular rather than cranial surgery), which may prove more scalable.

If Synchron or another competitor captures the market while Neuralink is still in trials, the investment thesis weakens significantly.

When Will Neuralink Go Public?

Official position: Neuralink has made no public statements about IPO timing.

What We Can Infer

Musk’s track record: SpaceX, founded in 2002, remains private after 22+ years. Tesla went public in 2010, seven years after founding. Musk has shown willingness to keep companies private indefinitely when it serves his goals.

FDA milestones: The breakthrough device designation and successful human trials suggest Neuralink is progressing toward commercialization. Companies typically IPO when they need capital for scaling or want to provide liquidity to early investors.

Market conditions: The IPO market has been challenging since 2022. Many high-profile companies have delayed public offerings waiting for better conditions.

Best Estimate

Based on typical medical device timelines and Musk’s historical patterns: 3-7 years is a reasonable window, assuming continued trial success and favorable market conditions.

But “never” is also possible. SpaceX has proven that Musk-led companies can access private capital indefinitely without going public.

The Bottom Line

Can you buy Neuralink stock? Only if you’re an accredited investor willing to commit $25,000+ through secondary market platforms like Forge Global.

Should you? That depends on your risk tolerance, investment timeline, and belief in brain-computer interface technology. You’re buying into a pre-revenue company at an $8 billion valuation, with no guaranteed liquidity and a 5-10 year time horizon.

For retail investors: Your options are limited to waiting for an IPO or accepting that this particular investment opportunity isn’t accessible to you. The adjacent alternatives (medical device stocks, robotics ETFs) don’t provide meaningful Neuralink exposure.

For accredited investors: Secondary markets offer access, but understand what you’re buying: illiquid shares in a speculative medical device company whose success depends on unproven technology, regulatory approval, and continued execution over many years.

The brain-computer interface market may indeed transform medicine and human-computer interaction. Whether Neuralink captures that value—and whether current valuations are justified—remains genuinely uncertain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you buy Neuralink stock?

Not through traditional brokerages. Neuralink is a private company with no public stock listing. Accredited investors can potentially purchase shares through secondary market platforms like Forge Global, typically requiring $25,000+ minimum investments. Retail investors have no direct access.

Is Neuralink publicly traded?

No. Neuralink remains a private company and does not trade on any public stock exchange. There is no ticker symbol for Neuralink stock.

How much is Neuralink worth?

Neuralink was valued at approximately $8 billion as of June 2024, based on secondary market transactions involving employee share sales. This represents a 60% increase from its $5 billion valuation in late 2023.

When will Neuralink IPO?

Neuralink has not announced any IPO plans. Based on Elon Musk’s history with other companies and typical medical device commercialization timelines, an IPO could be 3-7+ years away—or may never happen. Musk has kept SpaceX private for over 20 years.

How can I invest in Neuralink as a retail investor?

Retail investors currently have no direct path to Neuralink investment. The only options are: (1) become an accredited investor to access secondary markets, (2) wait for an eventual IPO, or (3) invest in loosely related public companies in the medical device or robotics sectors—though these provide no meaningful Neuralink exposure.

What is the minimum investment for Neuralink stock?

On secondary market platforms, minimum investments typically range from $10,000 to $25,000+, depending on the platform and specific offering. Most Neuralink transactions require $25,000 or more.

Sources

• Reuters: “Neuralink valued at about $8 billion” (June 2024)
• CNBC: “First human receives Neuralink brain chip implant” (January 2024)
• Reuters: “Neuralink gets FDA breakthrough device designation for vision implant” (September 2024)
• SEC: Accredited Investor Definition, Rule 501 of Regulation D
• CNBC: “Instacart IPO prices at $10 billion” (September 2023)
• Crunchbase: Neuralink company profile and funding history
• Forge Global: Secondary market trading data
• Synchron: Company information and FDA approval status