The selection of a suitable SPV platform is critical when it comes to launching, managing, and scaling investment vehicles. If you are an angel investor, syndicate lead, aspiring fund manager, or even a family office, it is important to select a platform that will simplify things for you without adding too much administrative burden.
SPV Hub and Sydecar both provide end-to-end SPV services that cover much of the same core ground, but they differ in their approach to pricing, flexibility, technology, and support. Rather than viewing one platform as offering services, the other does not; it is more useful to compare how each platform delivers those services and which operating model better fits a manager’s needs.
- Feature Comparison
SPV Hub vs. Sydecar
Rather than viewing one platform as offering services, the other does not; it is more useful to compare how each platform delivers those services and which operating model better fits a manager’s needs.
| Category | SPV Hub | Sydecar |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Structure & Compliance | Delaware LLCs | Delaware LLCs |
| Life of SPV | 10 Years | 7–10 Years |
| Online Setup | Included | Included |
| Flexibility of SPV Setup | Flexible and customizable | Standardized with support for common SPV structures |
| Investor Onboarding | Included | Included |
| Subscription & Operating Agreement | Included | Included |
| EIN | Included | Included |
| Banking | Included | Included |
| Tracking SPV Progress | Included | Included |
| Online Signatures | Included | Included |
| Annual Delaware Compliance Fees | Included | Included |
| Form D Filing | Included | Included |
| Blue Sky Filing (up to $1,500) | Included | Included |
| Annual State Tax Filing | Included | Included |
| Yearly K-1 Processing & Distribution | Included | Included |
| SPV Updates for Investors | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Portfolio Management | Included | Included |
| Distribution Fee | Single distribution included in fee | Each distribution charged separately |
| Non-US Investments Fee | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Regulatory Fee | Nil | $2000 |
| Side Letter / Additional Documents | Available (additional charges apply) | Available (additional charges apply) |
| Customer Service | 24×7 phone, email, and chat support | Chat and email support |
| Integration with Deal Flow | Yes (Startup Steroid Integration) | No Deal flow management platform integrations |
| Master SPV Setup | Yes (additional charges apply) | Yes (additional charges apply) |
| Master LLC Bookkeeping | Included | Not Included |
| Platform Flexibility | High | Standardized |
- At a Glance
SPV Hub and Sydecar
- Party A — SPV Hub
SPV Hub is intended for use by angel groups, syndicates, venture capital funds, family offices, and new fund managers who need high-quality institutional infrastructure along with personalized operations. SPV Hub includes all aspects of the SPV’s lifecycle from its creation to management and distribution to investors.
SPV Hub and Sydecar both provide end-to-end SPV services that cover much of the same core ground, but they differ in their approach to pricing, flexibility, technology, and support. Rather than viewing one platform as offering services, the other does not; it is more useful to compare how each platform delivers those services and which operating model better fits a manager’s needs.
- Party B — Sydecar
It provides a technology-based work process to create and administer SPVs for venture investors. Work standardization is the focus of Sydecar’s platform, which includes work standardization, speedy SPV formation, onboarding of investors, banking, compliance, taxation, and SPV management.
The standardization approach is meant for managers who seek a repeatable process for creating and managing investment vehicles while retaining most of the work process within one ecosystem.
Sydecar also provides transparent pricing for its standard SPV services, helping managers understand costs before moving forward.
- SPV Hub and Sydecar
Which SPV Platform Is Right for Your Investment Operations?
- SPV Hub vs. Sydecar
SPV Formation
Both systems provide for ease of Delaware SPV formation while taking care of the necessary legal and administrative issues involved in SPV formation.
SPV Hub supports both single-asset and multi-asset SPVs while offering customized structures based on the complexity of each transaction. The platform also accommodates SAFE investments, convertible notes, equity investments, and various venture deal structures. This makes the platform well suited to managers who may need to adapt the structure of an SPV to the requirements of a particular investment.
Sydecar focuses on standardized SPV structures with an emphasis on fast approvals and efficient execution. The company states that qualifying SPVs can be reviewed within hours after submission. For managers running similar transactions repeatedly, this standardized process can provide consistency and speed.
- SPV Hub vs. Sydecar
Investor Onboarding
Managing investors efficiently is essential for every investment manager.
SPV Hub has all the features required for onboarding investors, KYC/AML services, capital call management, documentation management, and investor reports on one platform. Investors have the flexibility to generate funds via different modes of payment, along with secure access to documents and portfolios.
In the same way, Sydecar provides online onboarding, accreditation validation, bank linking, compliance, and investor communication. As a result, both platforms can support managers through the investor onboarding process, from initial participation through ongoing communication and administration.
- SPV Hub vs. Sydecar
Fund Administration
The biggest operational challenge for most investment managers begins after the SPV closes.
SPV Hub provides ongoing administration for up to 10 years, including annual compliance, K-1 coordination, investor management, distributions, and portfolio reporting without recurring subscription fees. Its broader operational offering also covers banking and payment tracking, portfolio monitoring, and investor reporting, giving managers a centralized view of their SPV activities.
Sydecar also offers continuous administration services that include fund accounting, tax preparation, K-1 preparation, filing, banking, and distribution to investors through its platform. Their services also go beyond formation, where managers get to use the platform for the entire period of the SPV.
- SPV Hub vs. Sydecar
Flexibility
Investment structures are not always identical.
SPV Hub focuses on flexibility by creating each SPV according to the complexity of the deal, not through an all-inclusive package. This can be advantageous for managers dealing with different investment structures or more customized deals. The platform also provides hands-on support when managers have requirements that may not fit neatly into a standard workflow.
Sydecar, in contrast, emphasizes standardization of workflow in order to improve efficiency of processes and also supports layering of SPVs and secondary transactions. This can be advantageous for managers who prefer established processes and a consistent operating framework across their investments.
- SPV Hub vs. Sydecar
Pricing
Pricing is often one of the biggest deciding factors.
SPV Hub uses transparent pricing based on the requirements of the transaction. Its standard quoted pricing is designed to cover the core SPV lifecycle, without separate regulatory or distribution fees within the standard quoted price. The one-time charge covers the full cycle of SPV from start to finish, which includes the formation, compliance, coordination of taxes, investor management, and administrative aspects for ten years.
Sydecar on the other hand also supports a transparent pricing model but is calculated over time based on the requirement. The rolling scale denotes the base price on which the regulatory price and distribution price is added to have a clean idea of what the SPV cost will look like.
- SPV Hub vs. Sydecar
Customer Support
Technology is essential, but then again, the availability of experts is just as crucial.
SPV Hub combines technology and expertise, offering accessible and hands-on assistance during the entire life cycle of the SPV. It may be especially helpful when the manager requires assistance in dealing with an unusual transaction structure or documentation that falls outside the scope of regular SPVs.
Sydecar too offers customer support, while placing greater emphasis on a technology-led and standardized operating experience.
- Flexibility and a personal approach
Which Platform Is Better?
This will depend upon your investment approach and operations.
SPV Hub
In case you require flexibility in structuring, transparent pricing, full-fledged capability, and practical assistance, then SPV Hub might suit you more. It is structured to be suitable for various types of investments, and it suits angel groups, syndicate groups, venture capital, family offices, and new fund managers.
Nevertheless, SPV Hub is preferable for those managers who value flexibility and a personal approach.
- Upfront, transparent pricing with no separate regulatory or distribution fee within the standard quoted pricing.
- Flexible structuring to accommodate different participant profiles, investment structures and specific SPV requirements.
- Highly approachable, hands-on support, with the ability to work through unique requirements rather than relying solely on a standardized workflow.
- End-to-end platform capabilities, covering investor onboarding, banking/payment tracking, documentation, compliance, tax/K-1 administration, portfolio monitoring and investor reporting.
- Ease of operations and human support, which is particularly important for managers who may have requirements that fall outside a standard SPV structure.
Sydecar
On the other hand, Sydecar is likely to suit better those individuals who need standardized technology, transparent pricing structure, and fast SPV set-up, as the platform provides the complete suite of functions like banking, onboarding investors, compliance, tax/K-1 management, and SPV management.
The standardization approach is meant for managers who seek a repeatable process for creating and managing investment vehicles while retaining most of the work process within one ecosystem.
Sydecar too offers customer support, while placing greater emphasis on a technology-led and standardized operating experience.
- Pricing, service, operational flexibility
Conclusion
Both Sydecar and SPV Hub are capable SPV platforms, but based on factors such as Pricing, service, operational flexibility, pricing transparency, ease of use and platform capabilities, SPV Hub can be a strong choice for managers looking for a more flexible and hands-on solution.
Nevertheless, SPV Hub is preferable for those managers who value flexibility and a personal approach.
This comparison is based on publicly available information from the respective platforms at the time of publication. Features, pricing, processes and services may change over time and may differ from the specific terms or solutions discussed directly with each provider. Readers are encouraged to confirm current pricing, features and requirements directly with the respective platforms.