Finding the best way to get exposure to Figure AI before IPO has become a pressing question for investors watching the humanoid robotics sector explode in relevance and valuation. Figure AI, founded in 2022 by Brett Adcock, has rapidly emerged as one of the most closely watched private companies in technology, having raised over $750 million at a valuation exceeding $2.6 billion as of early 2024. The company’s mission to develop general-purpose humanoid robots capable of performing tasks in warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and eventually homes has attracted backing from some of the most influential names in technology, including OpenAI, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Jeff Bezos, and Intel. The interest in pre-IPO exposure to Figure AI stems from multiple converging factors. The global humanoid robot market, currently valued at approximately $1.8 billion, is projected to reach $38 billion by 2035 according to Goldman Sachs research.
Figure AI sits at the intersection of two transformative technologies””advanced robotics and artificial intelligence””positioning it as a potential category leader in what many analysts believe will be the next major platform shift after smartphones. For investors who missed early opportunities in companies like Tesla or NVIDIA, Figure AI represents a chance to participate in a transformative technology company before public market access. This article provides a comprehensive examination of the available pathways to gain investment exposure to Figure AI while the company remains private. Readers will learn about direct private market investment options, indirect exposure through publicly traded companies with strategic ties to Figure AI, the regulatory landscape governing pre-IPO investments, and the realistic risks associated with each approach. The goal is to provide factual, actionable information rather than speculation, enabling informed decision-making in a space often clouded by hype.
Table of Contents
- What Are the Legitimate Options for Investing in Figure AI Before Its IPO?
- Publicly Traded Companies With Strategic Exposure to Figure AI
- Understanding the Risks of Pre-IPO Figure AI Investments
- How Secondary Market Transactions for Figure AI Shares Actually Work
- Common Mistakes When Pursuing Pre-IPO Robotics Investments
- Tax Implications and Regulatory Considerations for Pre-IPO Investors
- How to Prepare
- How to Apply This
- Expert Tips
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Legitimate Options for Investing in Figure AI Before Its IPO?
For individual investors seeking exposure to figure AI before it goes public, the options are more limited than many realize but not entirely closed off. The primary avenue is through secondary market platforms that facilitate trading of private company shares. Platforms such as Forge Global, EquityZen, Hiive, and Nasdaq Private Market occasionally list shares of high-profile private companies when existing shareholders””typically employees or early investors””seek liquidity. These platforms operate within SEC regulations but impose significant barriers to entry: most require investors to qualify as accredited investors (net worth exceeding $1 million excluding primary residence, or annual income above $200,000 for individuals) and typically enforce minimum investment thresholds ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. The availability of Figure AI shares on secondary markets fluctuates considerably. Following major funding rounds, when the company’s valuation becomes publicly known and media attention spikes, demand typically outpaces supply.
Prospective investors often join waitlists and may wait months without a transaction opportunity materializing. When shares do become available, they frequently trade at premiums to the last reported valuation””sometimes 20% to 50% above the price paid by institutional investors in the most recent funding round. This premium reflects both retail demand and the relative scarcity of private market liquidity. Another pathway involves pre-IPO funds and specialized investment vehicles that aggregate capital to purchase stakes in late-stage private companies. Firms like EquityBee, MicroVentures, and various venture capital funds offer exposure to baskets of pre-IPO companies that may include Figure AI or its competitors. These vehicles provide diversification benefits but add layers of fees and reduce investor control over specific company exposure. Some family offices and wealth management firms also maintain relationships with brokers who source private company shares, though this route is generally accessible only to ultra-high-net-worth individuals with established advisory relationships.
- Secondary market platforms (Forge, EquityZen, Hiive) require accredited investor status and minimum investments typically starting at $10,000-$100,000
- Share availability is sporadic and often trades at significant premiums to last known valuation
- Pre-IPO funds provide diversified exposure but add management fees and reduce direct company exposure
Publicly Traded Companies With Strategic Exposure to Figure AI
For investors who cannot or choose not to navigate private markets, publicly traded companies with strategic ties to Figure AI offer an alternative form of exposure. The most direct connections exist through Figure AI’s investor base, which includes several publicly traded technology giants. Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) and NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) both participated in Figure AI’s Series B funding round, which closed in early 2024. While neither company has disclosed the exact size of their investments, their participation signals strategic interest in the humanoid robotics space and creates a financial link to Figure AI’s success. NVIDIA’s involvement extends beyond capital investment. The company’s Jetson platform and Isaac robotics development tools are foundational technologies for many robotics companies, and NVIDIA has positioned itself as the computing backbone of AI-powered robotics.
Similarly, Intel Corporation (INTC), another Figure AI investor, supplies processors and accelerators that power robotics systems. Amazon (AMZN), while not a direct investor, has announced commercial pilots with Figure AI for deploying humanoid robots in its fulfillment centers””a relationship that could prove more significant than equity ownership if it scales. Jeff Bezos invested personally in Figure AI, and his ongoing involvement in space and robotics ventures through Bezos Expeditions indicates sustained interest in the company’s trajectory. OpenAI, though not publicly traded, represents another strategic connection through its partnership with Figure AI to develop AI models specifically for robotic systems. Investors seeking exposure to OpenAI may find it through Microsoft, which has invested approximately $13 billion in the AI research company and integrates its technology across products. This creates a second-degree connection between Microsoft shareholders and Figure AI’s AI capabilities. However, investors should recognize that these indirect exposures are diluted significantly””even substantial returns from Figure AI would represent a tiny fraction of Microsoft’s or NVIDIA’s overall business results.
- NVIDIA and Microsoft participated directly in Figure AI’s Series B funding round
- Amazon has announced commercial pilot programs deploying Figure AI robots in fulfillment operations
- Jeff Bezos and Intel provide additional investment connections through their public market presence or investor relationships
Understanding the Risks of Pre-IPO Figure AI Investments
The allure of pre-IPO investing often overshadows the substantial risks that distinguish private markets from regulated public exchanges. Figure AI, despite its impressive funding and partnerships, remains a pre-revenue company in an unproven market segment. The humanoid robotics industry has no established revenue model at scale””while companies like boston Dynamics have demonstrated remarkable engineering, none have achieved sustainable commercial deployment generating meaningful cash flows. Figure AI’s valuation of $2.6 billion reflects expectations about future potential rather than current financial performance, creating significant downside risk if commercialization timelines extend or market adoption proceeds slower than anticipated. Liquidity constraints represent the most immediate practical risk for pre-IPO investors. Unlike public stocks that can be sold within seconds at transparent market prices, private company shares may take months or years to convert to cash.
Secondary market transactions require finding willing buyers, negotiating terms, and navigating transfer restrictions that companies impose to control their cap tables. Many pre-IPO investors in previous technology cycles found themselves holding illiquid positions through extended private periods””companies like SpaceX and Stripe have remained private for over a decade, far exceeding typical investor expectations. Figure AI has not announced IPO timing, and the company could remain private indefinitely while pursuing growth. Valuation uncertainty compounds these challenges. Pre-IPO shares trade on limited information compared to public markets, where quarterly earnings reports, SEC filings, and analyst coverage create price discovery mechanisms. Figure AI’s last known valuation emerged from a negotiated funding round with sophisticated investors who received terms””such as liquidation preferences and anti-dilution protections””that common secondary market buyers typically do not obtain. The “headline” valuation may not reflect the effective per-share economics for later investors, particularly in scenarios where the company raises additional capital at lower valuations (a down round) or is acquired rather than going public.
- Figure AI is pre-revenue, with valuations based entirely on future commercial potential rather than demonstrated financial performance
- Private company shares can remain illiquid for years, with no guaranteed exit timeline
- Secondary market purchasers typically receive inferior terms compared to institutional funding round participants
How Secondary Market Transactions for Figure AI Shares Actually Work
The mechanics of purchasing pre-IPO shares differ substantially from buying stocks through conventional brokerage accounts. Secondary market platforms act as intermediaries matching buyers with sellers, but the underlying transactions involve legally complex private securities transfers. When Figure AI shares appear on platforms like Forge Global, they typically originate from employees exercising stock options or early investors seeking partial liquidity. The seller must first verify that their shares are eligible for transfer””most private companies impose Right of First Refusal (ROFR) clauses allowing them to match any third-party offer and repurchase shares before outside buyers can acquire them. The transaction process begins with the buyer expressing interest and proving accredited investor status through documentation of income, net worth, or professional credentials. Once verified, the platform presents available share blocks and pricing.
Prices are often negotiated, though some platforms operate auction-style or at fixed asks. After buyer and seller agree on terms, the platform facilitates legal documentation including purchase agreements, representations, and warranties. Figure AI’s legal and finance teams must approve the transfer, a process that typically takes 30 to 90 days and can fail if the company exercises its ROFR or refuses transfer approval for other reasons. Fee structures on secondary platforms vary but typically range from 3% to 5% of transaction value, split between buyer and seller or charged entirely to one party depending on platform policies. Some platforms add administrative fees for document processing and escrow services. Compared to public market transactions costing fractions of a percent, these fees represent meaningful friction that compounds with any premium paid above last-known valuation. Investors should calculate their effective entry price including all costs rather than focusing solely on share price, as total investment basis materially affects potential returns.
- Right of First Refusal clauses allow Figure AI to block or match any secondary sale before completion
- Transactions typically require 30-90 days to complete after buyer and seller agreement
- Platform fees ranging from 3-5% add to effective cost basis beyond negotiated share price
Common Mistakes When Pursuing Pre-IPO Robotics Investments
The surge of interest in humanoid robotics has attracted investors without prior private market experience, leading to predictable pitfalls. The most damaging mistake involves overpaying relative to realistic exit scenarios. Investors who purchase Figure AI shares at 50% premiums to last valuation need the company to appreciate substantially beyond that inflated basis to generate positive returns. If Figure AI’s eventual IPO prices at or below its last private round””a common occurrence for companies that grew valuations rapidly during low interest rate periods””secondary buyers could face immediate losses despite the company achieving a successful public offering. Information asymmetry creates additional vulnerabilities. Buyers in secondary transactions possess far less insight into company performance than the institutional investors who set valuations in funding rounds.
Sellers may have access to internal information about product delays, customer losses, or strategic pivots that make their shares less valuable than external appearances suggest. While securities laws prohibit trading on material non-public information, enforcement in private markets is limited, and buyers should assume they operate with informational disadvantages. Conducting independent due diligence on Figure AI’s commercial progress, competitor positioning, and market trends helps mitigate this gap. Concentration risk represents another frequent error. The excitement surrounding pre-IPO opportunities can lead investors to allocate disproportionate portfolio percentages to a single illiquid position. Financial advisors typically recommend limiting alternative investments””including private company equity””to 5% to 15% of total portfolio value, with any single position capped at 1% to 2%. The inability to rebalance or exit private positions quickly means that initial over-concentration can persist for years, amplifying losses if the investment performs poorly while preventing capital deployment to other opportunities.
- Paying large premiums above last valuation requires exceptional outcomes to generate returns
- Sellers often possess more information about company performance than buyers
- Position sizing should account for illiquidity and treat pre-IPO investments as speculative allocations
Tax Implications and Regulatory Considerations for Pre-IPO Investors
Pre-IPO investments carry distinct tax treatment that affects after-return calculations. Gains from selling private company shares held longer than one year qualify for long-term capital gains rates (0%, 15%, or 20% depending on income level), but the indefinite holding period characteristic of private investments can complicate timing. Investors cannot control when liquidity events occur””an IPO or acquisition happens on the company’s schedule, potentially triggering taxable events in high-income years when marginal rates impose maximum impact. Strategic tax planning, including consideration of Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) exclusions if applicable, should begin before investment rather than at exit. Regulatory requirements govern who can participate in pre-IPO markets and how shares may be offered. SEC Rule 501 defines accredited investor standards that most secondary platforms enforce. The JOBS Act of 2012 created Regulation A+ and Regulation Crowdfunding pathways theoretically allowing non-accredited participation, but Figure AI has not utilized these mechanisms and likely will not given the availability of institutional capital.
Some platforms have developed workarounds””such as creating funds that qualify individual investors through alternative tests””but these structures add complexity and fees while potentially exposing investors to different risk profiles than direct share ownership. International investors face additional hurdles. Most U.S.-based secondary platforms restrict participation to U.S. persons due to securities law complexities, though some accommodate international accredited investors through additional documentation and tax withholding procedures. Figure AI’s corporate structure, Delaware incorporation with typical Silicon Valley venture-backed governance, creates straightforward treatment for U.S. investors but may generate foreign tax credit complications or reporting obligations for non-U.S. persons. Consulting with cross-border tax specialists before investing helps avoid surprises during exit events.
- Long-term capital gains treatment applies to shares held over one year, but exit timing cannot be controlled
- SEC accredited investor requirements (income or net worth thresholds) govern platform access
- International investors face additional documentation requirements and potential tax complications
How to Prepare
- **Verify accredited investor status** by gathering documentation including two years of tax returns showing income above $200,000 ($300,000 jointly), brokerage statements demonstrating net worth exceeding $1 million excluding primary residence, or professional certifications (Series 7, 65, or 82 licenses) that confer accredited status. Platforms will require this verification before allowing account creation or transaction participation.
- **Establish accounts on multiple secondary platforms** including Forge Global, EquityZen, Hiive, and Nasdaq Private Market. Each platform maintains separate relationships with shareholders and may have different inventory availability at different times. Creating verified accounts in advance positions investors to act quickly when shares become available rather than waiting through verification delays during limited windows.
- **Research Figure AI’s competitive landscape** by studying publicly available information about humanoid robotics competitors including Tesla’s Optimus, Boston Dynamics’ Atlas, Agility Robotics’ Digit, and 1X Technologies’ EVE. Understanding where Figure AI positions itself technologically and commercially helps assess whether current valuations reflect reasonable expectations or speculative excess.
- **Define investment parameters before opportunities arise** including maximum price premium above last valuation, acceptable minimum and maximum investment sizes, and portfolio allocation limits. Emotional decision-making under time pressure when shares become available frequently leads to overpayment or over-concentration that rational pre-planning would prevent.
- **Consult with financial and tax advisors** about how pre-IPO investments fit overall portfolio strategy, potential tax optimization approaches, and estate planning considerations given illiquidity characteristics. Professional guidance costs modestly relative to investment amounts and prevents expensive errors in execution or tax treatment.
How to Apply This
- **Monitor secondary platforms regularly** by setting up alerts for Figure AI listings and checking available inventory weekly. Share availability can appear and disappear within days, and early awareness provides time for due diligence and decision-making before opportunities close.
- **Evaluate each opportunity against predetermined criteria** rather than assuming any available shares represent good value. Compare asking prices to last known valuation, assess seller motivation and share provenance, and calculate total cost including platform fees before committing capital.
- **Submit indication of interest and complete transaction documentation promptly** when an acceptable opportunity arises. Delays during negotiation or documentation phases can result in other buyers securing limited inventory or sellers withdrawing offers.
- **Maintain detailed records of all communications, documents, and costs** associated with the transaction. Private company share purchases generate complex capital gains calculations at exit, and contemporaneous documentation simplifies eventual tax reporting while protecting against disputes over basis or holding periods.
Expert Tips
- **Build relationships with multiple wealth advisors and brokers** who may source private company shares outside of major platforms. Some transactions occur through private networks that never reach public platforms, and personal relationships provide access to these opportunities.
- **Consider Figure AI competitor exposure as a hedging strategy** since the humanoid robotics market may produce multiple successful companies. Investing in publicly traded robotics ETFs or companies like Tesla (which is developing Optimus) provides sector exposure without concentration in a single private company outcome.
- **Understand that IPO timing remains entirely speculative** and could be years away. Figure AI has not filed S-1 registration documents or announced IPO intentions, and investor expectations about near-term public offerings frequently prove incorrect by multiple years.
- **Negotiate transaction terms where possible** rather than accepting initial asking prices. Secondary markets lack the transparent pricing of public exchanges, and sellers often accept prices 5% to 15% below initial asks, particularly for larger transactions or repeat buyers.
- **Maintain liquidity reserves outside pre-IPO investments** to avoid forced selling of other assets if personal circumstances require cash. Illiquid investments should represent truly long-term capital that would not be needed under any foreseeable scenario.
Conclusion
Gaining exposure to Figure AI before its eventual IPO requires navigating private markets that operate with fundamentally different mechanics than the public exchanges most investors know. The available pathways””secondary market platforms, pre-IPO funds, and indirect exposure through publicly traded strategic partners””each carry distinct advantages, limitations, and costs. Investors who approach this opportunity with clear understanding of accreditation requirements, realistic expectations about valuation premiums and liquidity constraints, and disciplined position sizing can participate thoughtfully in a company positioned at the intersection of robotics and artificial intelligence.
The humanoid robotics sector represents a genuinely transformative technology category with potential to reshape manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and domestic labor over coming decades. Figure AI’s technical capabilities, strategic partnerships, and institutional backing position it as a leading contender in this emerging market. Whether the opportunity justifies the risks depends on individual circumstances, risk tolerance, and portfolio composition. For those who proceed, patience and discipline will likely prove as important as access””the companies that define technological eras often require years or decades to fulfill their potential, and pre-IPO investors should embrace that timeline rather than expecting rapid validation of their thesis.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it typically take to see results?
Results vary depending on individual circumstances, but most people begin to see meaningful progress within 4-8 weeks of consistent effort. Patience and persistence are key factors in achieving lasting outcomes.
Is this approach suitable for beginners?
Yes, this approach works well for beginners when implemented gradually. Starting with the fundamentals and building up over time leads to better long-term results than trying to do everything at once.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid?
The most common mistakes include rushing the process, skipping foundational steps, and failing to track progress. Taking a methodical approach and learning from both successes and setbacks leads to better outcomes.
How can I measure my progress effectively?
Set specific, measurable goals at the outset and track relevant metrics regularly. Keep a journal or log to document your journey, and periodically review your progress against your initial objectives.
When should I seek professional help?
Consider consulting a professional if you encounter persistent challenges, need specialized expertise, or want to accelerate your progress. Professional guidance can provide valuable insights and help you avoid costly mistakes.
What resources do you recommend for further learning?
Look for reputable sources in the field, including industry publications, expert blogs, and educational courses. Joining communities of practitioners can also provide valuable peer support and knowledge sharing.
