American tuner and performance car manufacturer Saleen Automotive is inviting private investors to become part owners of the company in an effort to secure fresh capital. Hosted through investment platform Invown, the campaign accepts investments starting at $500 and offers various shareholder benefits and perks, from early access to product launch details to a day at a racetrack followed by a private dinner with founder Steve Saleen himself. The company aims to direct this fresh capital towards the development of a new American supercar.
Saleen
Tiered System
Aside from an ownership stake in the company, Saleen is also offering investors a few unique perks. An investment of $1,500 buys early access to brand announcements, while $5,000 earns a virtual investor event with company founder Steve Saleen. Invest five figures or more, and you’ll get a tour of Saleen’s California factory, and they’ll throw in a face-to-face meeting with Steve Saleen for 25 grand. Investors who put down $50,000 not only get a five percent discount on any of the brand’s cars, but they also get to spend a day with the founder at a racetrack, followed by a private dinner.Â
Saleen
Not the First Time
In 2023, Saleen launched a similar campaign to raise funds directly from the public. The proceeds were supposed to help bring the long-awaited Saleen S1 sports car to market. Despite raising a little over $1 million at the time, and with the company valued at approximately $34.5 million, we never saw a production version of the S1. The current campaign doesn’t reveal Saleen’s current valuation, so the precise equity stake attached to each investment amount isn’t very clear.Â
Looking Forward
This investment campaign suggests that Saleen is looking to outside funding to support its future growth, and this capital could help advance future product development, expand manufacturing capabilities, and bolster operations. Potential investors should note that purchasing shares in a private company differs significantly from buying publicly traded stock. Because Saleen is privately held, shareholders generally realize returns only if the company is acquired or eventually goes public. As with any private investment, prospective investors are encouraged to carefully review the offering documents and conduct their own due diligence before committing capital.
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