In a bold expansion into private markets, Robinhood Markets has announced the launch of the Robinhood Ventures Fund I (RVI), a new closed-end fund poised to raise $1 billion in an upcoming initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). This pioneering move aims to democratize access to private investments for retail investors, a sector historically dominated by institutional players and affluent individuals.
Starting February 17, retail investors will have the opportunity to request shares in the IPO at an anticipated price of $25 per share. Trading on the NYSE is expected to commence on February 26 under the ticker symbol RVI.
The RVI fund is set to invest in various high-profile private companies, including well-known names like Stripe, Databricks, Revolut, and Ramp. A critical feature of this fund is that no single investment will account for more than 20% of the assets, ensuring a diverse portfolio. Additionally, any funds raised beyond initial investments will be allocated for new positions, allowing the fund’s portfolio to grow dynamically.
What distinguishes Robinhood Ventures Fund I is its commitment to accessibility. There are no accreditation requirements or minimum investment amounts, which significantly lowers the barriers to entry for the average investor. Unlike many funds that impose performance fees, RVI will exclusively charge a 2% annual management fee that will be reduced to 1% for the initial six months following the IPO, making it an attractive option for retail investors. Goldman Sachs is leading the deal, adding a layer of credibility to this innovative venture.
Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev emphasized the importance of this launch, stating, “Opening up private markets will resolve one of the greatest longstanding inequities in capital markets today.”
The push into private investments reflects a growing recognition of the substantial opportunities within this sector. Current data highlights that there are approximately 6.5 times more private companies than public ones in the U.S., with the total value of these private enterprises now surpassing $10 trillion.
This significant initiative by Robinhood comes at a time when the crypto and fintech sectors are witnessing a surge in IPO activity. Firms like Kraken have recently filed for U.S. IPO status, while Ledger is also gearing up for a $4 billion valuation IPO in the near future. Furthermore, BitGo Holdings made its market debut on January 22, 2026, raising $213 million at a valuation of $2.08 billion, underscoring the dynamic landscape of investment opportunities.
In addition to launching RVI, Robinhood has been broadening its service offerings, recently announcing the ability to trade tokenized stocks in Europe as of June 2025. However, it is worth noting that the RVI fund will not distribute regular dividends. According to CFO Shiv Verma, dividends will only be deliberated if there is excess cash within the portfolio.
In related news, shares of Robinhood (HOOD) saw a 0.9% increase during Tuesday’s afternoon trading following the announcement of RVI.
