People sometimes do liquidate privately. There are even markets just for this. I don't like Quora, but these are some good explanations: https://www.quora.com/W

People sometimes do liquidate privately. There are even markets just for this. I don't like Quora, but these are some good explanations: https://www.quora.com/Why-cant-startup-founders-sell-some-of-their-shares-as-they-develop-their-business-instead-of-waiting-for-an-IPO-Who-gets-to-decide-on-the-timing-of-the-IPO-and-how-are-the-number-of-shares-determined https://www.quora.com/Why-cant-startup-founders-sell-some-of...