Unfortunately, such startups are impossible in Russia, and consequently, mergers and acquisitions as well, but the news is curious, as they say, in the rubric: 'How they do it'.

The private investment platform StartEngine has announced the acquisition of Vinovest, a service for investing in collectible wines and whiskeys. The deal strengthens the company's position in the alternative assets segment and expands access to them for an audience of over 2.1 million users.

Founded in 2019, Vinovest has already attracted about 200,000 users and manages assets worth approximately $140 million. The platform handles the entire cycle of investing in wine and whiskey: from sourcing and verifying the authenticity of bottles to storage in specialized warehouses, insurance, and logistics. Investors, in turn, can track returns and, if necessary, sell assets or physically take them.

An additional advantage of Vinovest is its close ties with the wine industry, allowing top wineries to directly reach a new wave of collectors and investors.

The deal reflects the growing interest of retail investors in alternative assets. Historically, such instruments help diversify portfolios and reduce dependence on traditional markets. According to forecasts, by 2033, the global alternative investment market could approach $60 trillion.

After the deal, Vinovest will continue to operate as a separate brand within StartEngine. As for us, we can only envy and dream, given the peculiarities of domestic regulation; in Russia, it's useless even to discuss such things.