In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, attorney and CEO Mat Sorensen sits down with Ahmed Ahmed, Head of Funds at WeFunder, to discuss how investors can use a self-directed IRA to invest in startups and venture capital—an asset class once limited to Silicon Valley insiders and institutional funds.

The conversation explores how WeFunder democratizes early-stage investing through Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) and Regulation D (Reg D) offerings, giving both accredited and non-accredited investors access to vetted startup deals, diversified venture funds, and even pre-IPO companies.

Mat and Ahmed explain:

• How to invest in startups using your self-directed IRA or solo 401(k)
• The difference between Reg CF and Reg D offerings on WeFunder
• What the Orange Funds are and how they track Y Combinator companies
• Real examples of early-stage companies that scaled (e.g. Eight Sleep, Replit)
• Why diversification is critical in venture investing
• How to evaluate startup founders and what signals matter most
• What to expect in terms of risk, timelines, and exit strategies

This episode is essential listening for self-directed investors interested in private markets and early-stage innovation—and how to access it within a tax-advantaged retirement account structure.

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction to WeFunder and Startup Investing
01:30 – What Is Reg CF and Who Can Invest
03:16 – Inside the Orange Funds and Y Combinator Strategy
07:40 – Risk, Return, and Realities of Startup Investing
11:50 – Using a Fund Model to Diversify Your Startup Portfolio
19:22 – How to Evaluate Founders, Traction, and Deal Flow
24:27 – Getting Started with Startup Investing Through Your IRA

WeFunder Homepage: https://wefunder.com/

Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/

Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA

Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/

Other:
Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen
KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.com
Main Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

Visit altassetsummit.com to learn how to invest in Alternative Assets.

(More links down below.)

You don’t need $100K to self-direct your retirement. In this episode, Mat Sorensen and Mark Kohler outline 15+ real-world strategies for investing $25,000 or less using your Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, Solo 401(k), or HSA. From real estate deals and startup investments to crypto mining, mobile homes, equipment leasing, and even cattle, Mat and Mark break down the opportunities that everyday investors are already using to grow their retirement accounts.

Whether you're just starting with $5,000 in a Roth IRA or rolling over an old 401(k), this episode reveals how to make smart, creative investments in alternative assets—without needing a six-figure balance. You’ll also learn how to structure these deals legally with IRA/LLCs, avoid prohibited transactions, and understand the compliance rules that protect your tax-advantaged account.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to Small-Budget Self-Directing

02:10 - Cryptocurrency and Crypto Mining Options

06:20 - Creative Real Estate and Partnerships

10:00 - Mobile Homes and Startup Investments

13:45 - Turo, Oil & Gas, and Livestock

22:45 - Equipment Leasing and Final Opportunities

32:16 - The Power of Roth IRAs

Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/

Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA

Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/

Other:
Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen
KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.com
Main Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

Visit altassetsummit.com to learn how to invest in Alternative Assets.

(More links down below.)

In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, Mark Kohler and Mat Sorensen break down a groundbreaking new executive order from President Donald Trump that could reshape the future of 401(k) investing—by opening the door to alternative assets.

For decades, Wall Street and Washington have kept most retirement savers locked into a narrow menu of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs. This executive order flips the script, setting a national policy that every American preparing for retirement should have the option to invest in alternatives—just like the wealthiest institutions do.

Mat and Mark explain what “alternative assets” really mean in this context, from real estate and crypto to private equity, commodities, and infrastructure investments. They walk through the specific investments cited in the order, why these options have been off-limits for most 401(k) participants, and how this policy could shift the $8 trillion 401(k) industry toward more choice and freedom for everyday investors.

They also unpack the political dynamics, regulatory hurdles, and 180-day timeline for the Department of Labor and SEC to develop new guidance—while emphasizing what you can do right now. If you have an IRA or old 401(k), you can already invest in alternatives today using a self-directed account, bypassing the “check-the-box” limitations of traditional plans.

Whether you’re a corporate employee stuck with cookie-cutter 401(k) options or a self-directed investor ready to take the reins, this episode will help you understand the stakes, the timeline, and the opportunities in this unprecedented policy shift.

Chapters:

00:08 - Trump's Executive Order on Alternative Assets

02:19 - Defining Alternative Assets

02:30 - Learn How to Invest in Alternative Assets

(https://altassetsummit.com/)

02:48 - List of Alternative Assets - From Trump

04:19 - How the Executive Order Could Impact You

05:20 - Timeline and Political Landscape

09:07 - The Power of Self-Directed Investing

12:02 - IRAs: Invest in Alternatives Today

Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/

Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA

Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/

Other:
Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen
KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.com
Main Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/

Alternative Asset Summit Tickets: https://altassetsummit.com/#ticket

In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, Mat Sorensen and Mark Kohler unpack one of the most overlooked yet powerful tax-advantaged accounts available—the Health Savings Account (HSA). Often dismissed as a simple medical savings tool, the HSA actually offers a triple tax benefit: tax deductions for contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses—at any age.

Mat and Mark explain how to qualify for and fund an HSA, the contribution limits for 2025 (including catch-up contributions), and why they rank the HSA alongside the Roth IRA as a top wealth-building priority. They also reveal how you can invest your HSA beyond savings accounts and mutual funds, using a self-directed HSA to buy assets like real estate, crypto, livestock, and private investments—keeping all gains in the account tax-free.

Through real-life examples, including ranch cattle investments and rental properties, they illustrate how creative investors are compounding returns inside their HSAs for future medical costs. They also discuss strategic withdrawal planning—why delaying reimbursements can supercharge your tax-free compounding—and review what qualifies as a medical expense under IRS rules, from dental work and prescription drugs to service animals and long-term care premiums.

If you’ve ever thought an HSA was just for paying your doctor bills, this episode will change your perspective and show you how to turn it into a dynamic, tax-free wealth-building vehicle.

Chapters

• 00:00 - Introduction to HSA Triple Tax Benefit
• 02:09 - HSA Eligibility and Contribution Limits
• 10:30 - Self-Directing Your HSA Investments
• 16:14 - Livestock and Creative HSA Investments
• 20:56 - Reimbursing Medical Expenses Strategically
• 25:30 - Qualifying Medical Expenses and Planning
• 30:15 - Final Tips and AltAsset Summit

Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/

Directed IRA Explore (Linktree):

Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/

Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA

Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/

Other:
Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen
KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.com
Main Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

In this episode, Mat Sorensen is joined by Jamison Manwaring, CEO and Co-Founder of Neighborhood Ventures, for a deep dive into the intersection of alternative investing, real estate innovation, and how everyday investors can participate in projects traditionally reserved for institutional capital.

Jamison shares how Neighborhood Ventures became Arizona’s first public real estate crowdfunding platform, structured under Regulation A, and how it enables unaccredited investors to access professionally managed real estate opportunities with low minimums and consistent returns. Mat and Jamison also unpack the regulatory structure that allows these offerings, discuss the due diligence process behind each deal, and explain why real estate continues to serve as a cornerstone asset in many self-directed IRA portfolios.

Whether you're a seasoned investor or just exploring real estate crowdfunding for the first time, this conversation offers actionable insights into building passive income with transparency, regulatory compliance, and community impact in mind.

Chapters

• 00:00 - Buy Low, Sell High Strategy Intro
• 01:36 - Market Cycles and Current Challenges
• 04:50 - Anatomy of a Distressed Deal
• 09:00 - The 7 O'Clock Investment Strategy
• 13:16- Phoenix Market Indicators and Outlook
• 17:00 - Fundraising for Distressed Properties
• 20:36 - Patience and Network Building Payoff
• 24:22 - The Get Rich Slow Philosophy

Neighborhood Ventures Homepage

Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/

Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA

Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/

Other:
Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen
KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.com
Main Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

Did you know you can use your IRA to invest in private funds? These include private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, and real estate funds.

Private funds have become one of the most popular investments among self-directed IRA owners because they offer access to professionally managed strategies, broader diversification, and the ability to passively invest in high-growth sectors—all within a tax-advantaged account.

In this episode, "Use Your IRA to Invest in Private Funds," Mat Sorensen and Mark J. Kohler explain how private fund investments work inside an IRA, what separates a legitimate fund from a risky one, and why understanding the fund’s documents, liquidity restrictions, and management team is essential before investing.

If you're looking for greater control over your retirement investments, this episode will give you the framework you need to evaluate private funds and avoid common mistakes. Book a call today to learn more: directedira.com/appointment.

• 0:08 - Investing IRAs in Private Funds
• 3:00 - What Defines a Legitimate Fund
• 6:00 - Understanding Accredited Investors
• 10:00 - Due Diligence and Investment Documents
• 16:12 - Subscription Process and Liquidity Concerns
• 22:09 - Exit Strategies and Final Thoughts

Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/

Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA

Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/

Other:
Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen
KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.com
Main Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, attorneys Mat Sorensen and Mark J. Kohler unveil a powerful and often overlooked strategy for funding your child’s college education without relying solely on a 529 plan. They break down how to combine a Coverdell ESA and a Roth IRA for your children, integrate those with self-directed investments, and potentially achieve tax free growth and distributions.

This episode is for business owners, parents, and investors looking for a smarter tax efficient way to save for education. Whether you’re new to self directing or already using these tools for retirement, this strategy could reshape how you approach college planning and family wealth building.

Chapters

• 00:00 – Introduction to College Funding Secret
• 01:17 - Self- Directed Accounts for College Savings
• 03:35 - Kids Roth IRA Strategy
• 08:14 - Tax-Deductible Methods for Funding
• 12:17 - Legitimacy and Next Steps

Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/

Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA

Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/

Other:
Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen
KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.com
Main Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, Mat Sorensen and Mark J. Kohler tackle the ten most frequently asked questions they hear from clients, investors, and professionals about self-directed IRAs. Whether you're brand new to self-directing or looking to avoid common missteps, this episode offers clear, practical guidance grounded in real-world scenarios and thousands of consultations.

They cover what your IRA can and cannot invest in, how prohibited transactions work, when to use a checkbook IRA or IRA LLC, how UBIT applies to certain investments, and what type of account is best for your goals. If you've ever wondered whether you’ll pay tax to self-direct, how to fund your account, or whether you're too old or too young to get started, this is the episode for you.

Subscribe to the Directed IRA podcast for more episodes diving deeper into self-directed investing strategies. Visit directedira.com to learn more about taking control of your retirement investments.

Chapters

• 00:00 – Introduction to Self-Directed IRAs
• 02:50 – What Can You Invest In?
• 04:05 – Investment Restrictions and Limitations
• 06:55 – The Prohibited Transaction Rules
• 08:40 – Choosing the Right Account Type
• 12:45 – Checkbook IRAs and IRA LLCs
• 18:35 – Taxes, Penalties and Common Misconceptions
• 24:30 – Finding Your Investment Strategy
• 29:20 – Final Thoughts and Disclaimer

Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/

Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA

Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/

Other:
Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen
KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.com
Main Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com