Substack stock $24.51 USD
Private-market facts for current and former Substack employees researching their stock.
Price per share sourced from public secondary-market data. Updated May 2026. Indicative only — not a live quote.
Overview
Online publishing platform that enables writers, podcasters, and creators to publish subscription-based newsletters and build paid audiences directly.
Selling Substack shares
Why shareholders consider selling
Shareholders in Substack may explore liquidity for a number of reasons — diversifying a concentrated position, funding a personal financial goal, or simply reducing exposure to a single private holding. As a private company, Substack does not trade on a public exchange, meaning employees and early shareholders cannot simply sell through a brokerage. Extended private timelines can leave shareholders waiting years for an exit event, which is why some choose to explore secondary-market options.
Can you sell Substack stock?
Whether a shareholder can sell typically depends on what they hold and how it was acquired. Vested and exercised shares are generally more straightforward than unexercised options or unvested RSUs. Most private companies, including those in the Consumer & Social sector, impose transfer restrictions such as rights of first refusal or board approval requirements. The specific terms governing Substack shares would be outlined in the holder's equity agreement or the company's governing documents.
What affects the value of Substack shares?
The price a buyer is willing to pay for private shares is shaped by several factors: overall demand for the stock, the company's financial performance, broader Consumer & Social market conditions, and any recent private-market transaction activity. Data points such as the company's Series B round, its reported $1B valuation and recent secondary-market pricing can help frame expectations, though they do not guarantee a transaction price.
What should holders check before selling
- The type of security held (common shares, preferred, options, RSUs)
- Whether the equity is fully vested and, for options, whether it has been exercised
- Any transfer restrictions, lock-up provisions, or company approval requirements
- Estimated net proceeds after applicable taxes and transaction fees
- Whether partial liquidity — selling a portion rather than the full position — may be a better fit
Tools for Substack shareholders
Exploring equity in Substack often raises questions about taxes, exercise timing, valuation, and exit outcomes. These tools can help you model different decisions using your own assumptions.
Latest funding round
Substack most recently raised a Series B round . The company was valued at $1B. Total funding raised to date is approximately $86M.
Lead investors in this round include Andreessen Horowitz and Y Combinator.
Substack IPO & exit outlook
Substack has not announced a confirmed IPO date or acquisition. At the Series B stage, most companies are still years away from a public listing or acquisition.
For employees holding equity, the timeline to liquidity is uncertain. Options to consider include:
- Secondary-market sales — selling vested shares to outside buyers (secondary pricing is currently available for this company)
- Company-sponsored tender offers — periodic buyback programs some late-stage companies run
- Early exercise and 83(b) elections — strategies to reduce future tax exposure while waiting for liquidity
Read our liquidity guide for a full comparison of paths to liquidity.
Founders & company background
Substack was founded in 2017 by Chris Best, Hamish McKenzie, Jairaj Sethi and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.
Investors
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Latest Substack news
Frequently asked questions
- Is Substack a public or private company?
- Substack is a private company as of the most recent data available. Its shares do not trade on a public stock exchange. Employees and early shareholders who want liquidity may need to explore secondary-market options or wait for a future IPO or acquisition.
- What is Substack's valuation?
- Substack's latest reported valuation is $1B, set during its Series B round. This is the preferred-stock valuation — the price per share that employees hold (common stock) is typically lower due to the liquidation preference stack. See our glossary entries on pre-money valuation and common stock for more detail.
- What is Substack's stock price per share?
- The most recent secondary-market price for Substack stock is approximately $24.51 per share, as of May 2026. This is an indicative price based on observed secondary-market activity — actual transaction prices may vary depending on share class, volume, and transfer restrictions.
- When will Substack IPO?
- Substack has not announced a confirmed IPO date. IPO timing depends on market conditions, company financials, and board decisions. Employees should plan around the possibility that liquidity may take years and consider whether secondary-market options or company-sponsored tender offers are available in the interim.
- Can I sell my Substack stock?
- It depends on what you hold and your company's policies. Vested, exercised shares are generally eligible for secondary-market sales, subject to Substack's transfer restrictions and right of first refusal (ROFR). Unexercised options and unvested RSUs typically cannot be sold. Some companies also run periodic tender offers that allow employees to sell a portion of their holdings at a set price. Check your equity agreement or speak with your stock plan administrator for Substack-specific rules.
- How much does it cost to exercise Substack stock options?
- The out-of-pocket cost equals your strike price multiplied by the number of shares you exercise. For ISOs, exercising may also trigger the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) based on the spread between your strike price and the current fair market value. For NSOs, the spread is taxed as ordinary income at exercise. Use our AMT Calculator and Stock Option Tax Calculator to model the cost for your specific situation.
- What type of stock options does Substack grant — ISOs or NSOs?
- Most venture-backed companies grant ISOs (Incentive Stock Options) to U.S. employees where possible, with NSOs (Non-Qualified Stock Options) used for amounts exceeding the $100K annual ISO limit, for contractors, or for non-U.S. employees. Your specific grant type is listed in your option agreement. The distinction matters because ISOs can qualify for long-term capital gains treatment, while NSOs are taxed as ordinary income at exercise. See our ISO guide and NSO guide for the full breakdown.
- What happens to my Substack stock if the company is acquired?
- In an acquisition, your equity outcome depends on the deal structure and your grant terms. Common scenarios include cash-out (your shares are bought at a set price per share), rollover (your shares convert into the acquirer's equity), or cancellation with an acceleration clause. If you have double-trigger acceleration, your unvested shares may accelerate only if you are also terminated. The liquidation preference stack determines how proceeds are divided — preferred shareholders are paid first, which can reduce or eliminate the payout to common shareholders in lower-value exits.
- What is the difference between common and preferred Substack stock?
- Employees typically hold common stock (or options on common stock). Investors hold preferred stock, which usually comes with a liquidation preference — meaning investors get paid first in an exit before common shareholders receive anything. Substack's $1B headline valuation reflects the preferred-stock price. The fair market value of common shares (used for your 409A and strike price) is typically 25–50% lower. This distinction is critical when estimating what your shares might actually be worth in an exit.
- What happens to my Substack options if I leave?
- When you leave a company, you typically have a limited post-termination exercise window — often 90 days — to exercise your vested options or they expire worthless. Some companies offer extended windows (up to 10 years). Unvested options are forfeited. If you hold ISOs and don't exercise within 90 days of leaving, they convert to NSOs, which changes the tax treatment. Review your option agreement for Substack's specific terms, and use our Exercise Timing Planner to model the financial tradeoffs.
Related pages
Last verified: 2026-05-28 · Substack data compiled from funding disclosures, investor announcements, corporate filings, and public records.
Information on this page is compiled from publicly available sources and may be outdated or incomplete. This is not investment advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making financial decisions.