The challenge
Selling unlisted shares can be more complicated than selling public stocks, since there's no central marketplace with constant liquidity.
How to find buyers
- Platforms — Marketplaces like Accumeo connect buyers and sellers.
- Brokers — Specialized brokers can help find potential buyers.
- Company network — Sometimes the company itself or other shareholders want to buy.
- Right of first refusal — Some corporate charters require existing shareholders to be offered the chance to buy first.
Key considerations
- Right of first refusal clauses — Check if the corporate charter restricts your right to sell freely.
- Pricing — Without exchange trading, it can be difficult to determine the right price. Use latest valuation and comparable transactions.
- Tax implications — Capital gains on unlisted shares are taxed at 25% in Sweden.
The process
- Identify potential buyers.
- Agree on price and terms.
- Execute the share transfer (sign transfer agreement).
- Register ownership change in the share register.
- Handle tax declaration.
Summary
Selling unlisted shares requires planning, but digital platforms have made the process significantly smoother.