Description: The lengthening time frame it takes for privately held companies to be acquired or to file for an IPO is spurring interest in startups that cater to investors who want to trade in shares of non-public companies. MarketWatch’s John Letzing interview with Thomas Foley, founder of Xpert Financial Inc., in San Francisco.

Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report

Date: 02/03/2011

Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/public-investors-in-privately-held-companies/6108F574-13EE-4BD8-98E0-65B756EC604C

Questions for discussion:

• Explain how this new concept would work?
• What are the risks associated with investing in this sort of market?
• What would motivate an investor to go this route?
• What should government and industry regulators be concerned with here?