Thursday, April 16, 2026

HumanIPO Lets You Buy Shares of Pelé

  • The industry of alternative assets continues to evolve.
  • HumanIPO is taking the space to a new, interpersonal level.
Agencia Brasil/Design: Alex Brooks

HumanIPO allows users to literally invest in people with shares that traders can buy, sell, or redeem for personal access to creators.

The ability to meet those one invests in is a large part of the draw. “The first problem we solve is how to invest directly in people. The second thing we solve is the problem of access to successful people,” CEO Kirill Goryunov told The Information.

The startup helps facilitate investments in select entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, social media personalities, and athletes.

Pelé, the Brazilian soccer legend, is one of the hottest commodities on the platform. 

  • Pelé went live on HumanIPO this month, selling 10 shares of $PELE at $10,000 per share. 
  • In comparison, Mike Merrill, a crowdfunding pioneer and the world’s first publicly traded person, is selling shares of himself at $79.95 each.

Shares of $PELE increased by 1.5% in their first week on the market. Proceeds will be allocated to The Pelé Foundation, which provides children with access to education.

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