Prediction market platform Polymarket has launched a new category of contracts tied to private companies. The new markets, developed in partnership with Nasdaq Private Market, allow users to trade on questions related to pre-IPO company events like fundraising and valuation changes. This move aims to bring greater price discovery to opaque private markets, which include nearly 1,600 unicorns valued over $5 trillion.
Polymarket has launched a new category of prediction markets tied to private companies. This allows users to trade on questions related to pre-IPO companies and could bring greater price discovery to private markets.
The new offering was developed in partnership with Nasdaq Private Market. Nasdaq Private Market will provide the underlying data and market infrastructure for the contracts.
The markets are designed to reflect expectations around events such as fundraising rounds and valuation changes. The launch expands Polymarket’s product lineup beyond its core markets focused on politics and public companies.
The move is part of Polymarket’s effort to broaden its appeal to financially oriented users. It extends prediction markets into private capital markets where pricing information is less transparent.
Polymarket said the rise of unicorns has increased demand for market-based forecasting tools. The platform noted there are nearly 1,600 unicorns worldwide with a combined valuation exceeding $5 trillion.
Polymarket’s partnership reflects the broader institutionalization of prediction markets. Private company data and event-based contracts are gaining traction among professional investors.
Retail traders still account for the vast majority of activity. An April report by Bitget Wallet and Polymarket found that retail traders generated 80% of prediction market volume.
Wall Street analysts say institutional participation is increasing as the US regulatory environment becomes more supportive. They pointed to the first institutional block trade on Kalshi as a milestone for the sector.
