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InvestingHow to Invest

How to Invest

A step-by-step guide to making your first investment

Making an investment on Play Money is a guided process. Here is what to expect from start to finish.

Before You Invest

To make an investment, you need:

If you have not completed these steps yet, the investment wizard will guide you through them as part of the investment flow. No need to set everything up in advance.

The Investment Flow

Find a deal

Browse the deals page to see available investment opportunities. Each deal page shows information about the company, investment terms, and the minimum investment amount.

Click Invest

When you find a deal you want to invest in, click the "Invest" button on the deal page to begin.

Select your profile

Choose which investment profile to use. If you have multiple profiles (e.g. Individual and LLC), select the one you want to invest through. If you need a new profile, you can create one during this step.

Choose your funding source

Select how you will pay — bank transfer (ACH), wire transfer, or external (for IRA/DAF). If you are using ACH and have not linked a bank account yet, you can link one during this step via Plaid.

Set your amount

Enter the dollar amount you want to invest. Each deal has a minimum (typically $500). See Setting Your Amount.

Review terms and fees

Review your investment details — the amount, profile, payment method, and any applicable fees. Make sure everything looks correct.

Confirm your investment

Click "Confirm" to submit your investment. You will see a confirmation page showing that your investment has been created.

First-Time vs. Returning Investors

The investment wizard will guide you through account setup as part of the flow. This includes providing your identity information, creating an investment profile, and linking a bank account (if using ACH). You only need to do this once — future investments will use your existing setup.

After You Invest

Once your investment is created, what happens next depends on your funding method:

You can track the progress of your investment in your Portfolio.

Common Questions

How long does it take? The investment itself takes just a few minutes. Payment processing depends on your method: ACH takes 1-3 business days, wire transfers depend on when you send them, and IRA/DAF transfers depend on your custodian's timeline.

Can I cancel my investment? Yes, you can cancel an investment before payment has been collected. Once your payment has been received, cancellation is no longer available — but you can contact our support team to discuss options.

What is the minimum investment amount? The minimum varies by deal and is shown on the deal page. It is typically $500.

Can I invest in multiple deals? Yes. You can invest in as many deals as you like, using the same or different profiles.

Can I increase my investment? Yes. If you want to invest more in a deal where you already have an investment, you can request an increase through the platform.