Learning Center

Investing in Startups with Your IRA

Yes, you can use your retirement savings to back the future.

Here is the deal 👇

Most traditional brokerages (looking at you, Schwab and Vanguard 👀) do not allow alternative investments like startup investing.

To use your IRA for angel investing on Play Money, you will need a self-directed IRA custodian that supports startup or private-market investments.

Many Play Money angels use:
👉 Carry.com
👉 AltoIRA.com

You will set up your IRA account with one of these partners first. Then, when you are ready to invest through Play Money, just select the account type that matches your setup.

⚙️ How It Works

In most cases, you will invest through a custodial IRA, which means your IRA custodian signs off on the investment and wires the funds on your behalf.

Here is what happens step-by-step:

1️⃣ Click Invest on Play Money.

2️⃣ Choose your IRA as your funding source.

3️⃣ We send you a short info packet. You forward it to your IRA provider.

4️⃣ They approve it and wire the funds.

And just like that, your retirement dollars become startup rocket fuel. 🚀

Why It Works

Using a self-directed IRA for angel investing allows you to:

  • Diversify your retirement portfolio with early-stage startups.
  • Access vetted deals alongside professional angels and funds.
  • Keep your investments tax-advantaged under your IRA umbrella.

You are not just saving for the future, you are helping build it.