SpaceX vs Checkout.com: employee equity compared
Secondary market prices, valuation trajectory, equity structure, and liquidity outlook for employees choosing between SpaceX and Checkout.com.
SpaceX
Falcon, Starship and Starlink.
IPO highly anticipated, likely 2026–2027 given massive scale. One of the most closely watched pre-IPO names in tech.
Deep tech with milestone-driven upside; ISO/NSO options; patient capital essential
Checkout.com
Global payment infrastructure provider processing card, local, and alternative payment methods for enterprises at scale — customers include Revolut, Spotify, Pizza Hut, and Farfetch.
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.
Recurring revenue model; RSU (no exercise cost); secondary discount vs primary — price discovery ongoing; IPO likely once profitability demonstrated
Key differences for employees
Equity structure
SpaceX grants ISO/NSO with strike prices ranging from $175–$215 depending on your grant year. Checkout.com grants RSU — no exercise cost.
Secondary market premium
The secondary market is pricing SpaceX at a +0% premium over its last primary round ($1.3T → $1.3T). Checkout.com trades at +-71% over its last round ($40B → $11.8B). A higher secondary premium signals stronger investor demand and potentially better near-term liquidity for employees looking to sell.
Revenue and growth
SpaceX runs at $15.5B ARR, growing +50% YoY (fast). Checkout.com runs at $0.5B ARR, growing +20% YoY (solid). Revenue growth rate matters for equity because it drives the peer-multiple valuation — the method most correlated with exit multiples.
Liquidity timeline
SpaceX: IPO highly anticipated, likely 2026–2027 given massive scale. One of the most closely watched pre-IPO names in tech.
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.
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.