PrivatePulse·Companies·Checkout.com vs Fanatics

Checkout.com vs Fanatics: employee equity compared

Secondary market prices, valuation trajectory, equity structure, and liquidity outlook for employees choosing between Checkout.com and Fanatics.

Secondary market data updated monthly · Sources: Hiive, Forge

Checkout.com

Fintech · London, UK · Founded 2012

Global payment infrastructure provider processing card, local, and alternative payment methods for enterprises at scale — customers include Revolut, Spotify, Pizza Hut, and Farfetch.

Last primary round$40B · Series D (2022-01)
Secondary market$11.8B (-71% vs primary)
Annual revenue$0.5B ARR · +20% YoY (solid)
Headcount~3,500
Equity typeRSU
Illiquidity discount~28%
Last round leadTiger Global
Liquidity outlook

IPO possible 2026–2028 as scale builds. Secondary trades at a discount vs last round — exercise timing requires caution. No confirmed timeline; tender offers may provide interim liquidity.

Key equity angle

Recurring revenue model; RSU (no exercise cost); secondary discount vs primary — price discovery ongoing; IPO likely once profitability demonstrated

↑ Higher secondary premium

Fanatics

Consumer · United States · Founded 1995

Vertically integrated sports platform encompassing licensed merchandise, trading cards (Topps acquisition), and sports betting (Fanatics Sportsbook).

Last primary round$31B · Series I (2022-12)
Secondary market$31.9B (+3% vs primary)
Annual revenue$7.3B ARR · +15% YoY
Headcount~10,000
Equity typeRSU
Illiquidity discount~22%
Last round leadSoftbank / BlackRock
Liquidity outlook

IPO possible 2026–2028 as scale builds. No confirmed timeline; tender offers may provide interim liquidity.

Key equity angle

Consumer brand with network effects; RSU (no exercise cost); IPO when unit economics proven

Key differences for employees

Equity structure

Checkout.com grants RSU — no exercise cost. Your equity vests and converts to cash or shares automatically at a liquidity event. Fanatics grants RSU — no exercise cost.

Secondary market premium

The secondary market is pricing Checkout.com at a +-71% premium over its last primary round ($40B$11.8B). Fanatics trades at +3% over its last round ($31B$31.9B). A higher secondary premium signals stronger investor demand and potentially better near-term liquidity for employees looking to sell.

Revenue and growth

Checkout.com runs at $0.5B ARR, growing +20% YoY (solid). Fanatics runs at $7.3B ARR, growing +15% YoY. Revenue growth rate matters for equity because it drives the peer-multiple valuation — the method most correlated with exit multiples.

Liquidity timeline

Checkout.com: IPO possible 2026–2028 as scale builds. Secondary trades at a discount vs last round — exercise timing requires caution. No confirmed timeline; tender offers may provide interim liquidity.

Fanatics: IPO possible 2026–2028 as scale builds. No confirmed timeline; tender offers may provide interim liquidity.

Calculate your specific grant

Enter your actual shares, equity type, and strike price. PrivatePulse calculates your personal equity value at both companies using 4 independent methods.

Frequently asked questions

Is Checkout.com or Fanatics a better company to work at for equity?
There's no universal answer — it depends on your risk profile, time horizon, and specific grant terms. Checkout.com at $40B and Fanatics at $31B offer very different risk/reward profiles. Use the calculator above to model your exact grant at each company.
How do I know if my Checkout.com or Fanatics equity is fairly priced?
Compare your grant's implied per-share value against the secondary market price. If investors are paying a premium on Hiive or Forge over the last primary round, that's a signal of strong demand. PrivatePulse shows you the gap between your 409A and what the secondary market says.
Can I sell my Checkout.com or Fanatics shares on the secondary market?
Secondary market transactions (Hiive, Forge, Caplight) require accredited investor status and your company's consent — most private companies have right-of-first-refusal (ROFR) provisions. Tender offers, when available, are typically the most accessible path to partial liquidity for employees.

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