Top 10 Equity Crowdfunding Platforms

Credit Suite
23 Nov 202108:26
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis training video script delves into the world of Equity Crowdfunding, a popular method for businesses to raise capital without incurring debt. It explains the concept, distinguishing it from rewards-based crowdfunding, and highlights the benefits of offering stock ownership to investors. The script covers various platforms tailored for different investment needs, such as real estate or startups, and offers tips for attracting investors. It concludes with a call to action for a free consultation to assess and improve business fundability.

Takeaways
  • 💰 Equity Crowdfunding is a method for businesses to raise money without incurring debt, loans, or using credit cards.
  • 🚀 It allows businesses to offer stock to the public similar to a publicly traded company, but without the hassle of going public or dealing with the SEC.
  • 🔑 There are two main types of crowdfunding: rewards-based and equity-based. Equity crowdfunding offers ownership stakes in the company as rewards.
  • 🏢 Equity crowdfunding is ideal for businesses that can't qualify for traditional financing due to credit issues or lack of collateral.
  • 📈 The business owner sets the terms of the equity offered, including how much stock to sell and at what price.
  • 🌐 Several platforms facilitate equity crowdfunding, such as Crowdfunder, Fundable, CrowdStreet, RealCrowd, Fundrise, Wefunder, PeerRealty, SeedInvest, LocalStake, EquityNet, and CircleUp.
  • 🏘️ CrowdStreet and RealCrowd are specifically for commercial real estate investments, while Fundrise is beginner-friendly and offers a variety of business types.
  • 📈 Wefunder is known for focusing on startup ventures across various industries, making it a suitable platform for new businesses.
  • 🏢 LocalStake is a platform for testing investor interest before fully committing to an equity crowdfunding campaign.
  • 📊 EquityNet uses data-driven information to improve the likelihood of a campaign's success by leveraging data from other investors and campaigns.
  • 🛍️ CircleUp is tailored for consumer brands, offering a platform to raise capital specifically for businesses in this sector.
Q & A

  • What is Equity Crowdfunding?

    -Equity Crowdfunding is a method where a company that is not on the stock exchange offers stock to the public to raise funds. It allows businesses to raise capital from a large number of investors in exchange for equity or ownership in the company.

  • How does Equity Crowdfunding differ from other types of crowdfunding?

    -Equity Crowdfunding is different from rewards-based crowdfunding, where contributors receive a reward, bonus, or pre-order of a product in return for their contribution. In contrast, with equity crowdfunding, contributors receive stock or an ownership interest in the company.

  • What are some benefits of using Equity Crowdfunding for a business?

    -Equity Crowdfunding allows businesses to raise funds without taking on debt, credit lines, loans, or using credit cards. It's also beneficial for businesses that may not qualify for traditional financing due to credit issues or lack of collateral.

  • Can a new business with no cash flow yet use Equity Crowdfunding?

    -Yes, a new business without cash flow can still use Equity Crowdfunding to raise funds. The script mentions that businesses can get approved for Equity Crowdfunding even if they are brand new and don't have cash flow yet.

  • What platforms are mentioned in the script for Equity Crowdfunding?

    -The script mentions several platforms including Crowdfunder, Fundable, CrowdStreet, RealCrowd, Fundrise, Wefunder, PeerRealty, SeedInvest, LocalStake, EquityNet, and CircleUp.

  • What type of businesses are suitable for Wefunder?

    -Wefunder is particularly suitable for startup ventures and newer businesses across various industries, as it specializes in helping these types of companies raise funds.

  • How does Fundrise cater to new investors interested in Equity Crowdfunding?

    -Fundrise caters to new investors by helping them get started with equity investing. It provides steps for new investors to understand and participate in equity crowdfunding across different types of businesses.

  • What is unique about the EquityNet platform?

    -EquityNet is unique because it uses data-driven information, taking into account data from other investors and campaigns to improve the likelihood that a campaign will attract investment.

  • What is the focus of the CircleUp platform?

    -CircleUp focuses specifically on consumer brands. It is a platform where businesses aiming to launch or grow consumer brands can raise capital.

  • How can a business get a fundability assessment and improve its appeal to investors?

    -A business can get a fundability assessment and improve its appeal to investors by contacting the service mentioned in the script, which offers a free consultation, fundability assessment, and business credit reports from Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax, and Experian.

  • What is the purpose of the funding vault mentioned in the script?

    -The funding vault is a resource that provides 27 different ways to get money to grow a business. It is intended to help businesses explore various funding options beyond equity crowdfunding.

Outlines
00:00
💼 Equity Crowdfunding Basics and Platforms

The first paragraph introduces Equity Crowdfunding as an alternative funding method for businesses without incurring debt or relying on traditional loans. It explains the concept as a stock offering from a non-publicly traded company, allowing businesses to raise funds from a broad investor base through platforms like Wefunder, Fundable, CrowdStreet, and RealCrowd. The speaker outlines the process, emphasizing the benefits of equity crowdfunding, such as setting one's own terms for stock offerings and the potential to attract a large number of investors. The paragraph also distinguishes between equity crowdfunding and rewards-based crowdfunding, highlighting the difference in investor incentives.

05:02
🏢 Exploring Equity Crowdfunding Opportunities for Various Businesses

The second paragraph delves deeper into specific equity crowdfunding platforms suitable for different types of businesses and investment interests. It discusses Wefunder's focus on startup ventures, PeerRealty's platform for real estate investment, and SeedInvest's appeal for new businesses. The paragraph also mentions LocalStake for testing investor interest and EquityNet's data-driven approach to improving campaign success. CircleUp is highlighted for consumer brand funding. The speaker offers a free consultation for businesses to improve their fundability and access to a 'funding vault' of alternative financing methods, encouraging viewers to engage with the provided contact information for further assistance.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Equity Crowdfunding
Equity Crowdfunding is a method of raising capital by offering ownership stakes in a company to a large number of investors. It is central to the video's theme as it is the primary topic being discussed. The script explains that unlike debt financing, equity crowdfunding does not require the business to take on loans or credit lines, and it can be a viable option even for businesses with credit issues or new ventures without cash flow.
💡Stock Offering
A stock offering refers to the process of issuing new stocks to the public or a specific group of investors. In the context of the video, equity crowdfunding is likened to a stock offering but without the complexities of going public. It allows a company to raise funds by selling shares directly to investors through an online platform.
💡Debt Financing
Debt financing is the process of raising funds by borrowing money, which must be repaid with interest. The script contrasts equity crowdfunding with debt financing, highlighting that the former does not involve taking on debt, credit lines, or loans, making it an attractive alternative for businesses that may not qualify for traditional financing.
💡Collateral
Collateral is an asset or property that a borrower offers to a lender as a security for a loan. The video mentions that equity crowdfunding can be an option for businesses that do not have collateral, emphasizing that this method of funding is accessible to a wider range of businesses, including those that are new or have credit issues.
💡Rewards-Based Crowdfunding
Rewards-based crowdfunding is a type of crowdfunding where contributors receive a reward or incentive for their financial support, often in the form of pre-ordering a product or receiving a gift. The script differentiates this from equity crowdfunding, where the reward is an ownership stake in the company, not a physical product or service.
💡Ownership Interest
Ownership interest refers to the percentage of a company that an investor owns through shares. The script explains that in equity crowdfunding, investors receive an ownership interest in the company, which is a key difference from rewards-based crowdfunding where the contributors receive a product or service instead.
💡Investors
Investors are individuals or entities that provide capital to a business in exchange for an equity stake or other returns. The video discusses how equity crowdfunding allows businesses to attract investors without the need for traditional presentations to venture capitalists or angel investors, expanding the pool of potential funders.
💡Crowdfunding Platforms
Crowdfunding platforms are online services that facilitate the process of raising funds by allowing businesses to create campaigns that can be viewed and funded by potential investors. The script mentions several platforms such as Crowdfunder, Fundable, and Wefunder, each catering to different types of businesses or industries.
💡Terms of Investment
The terms of investment refer to the conditions set by a company when offering shares through equity crowdfunding, including how much equity is being sold and at what price. The video emphasizes that the company determines these terms, which is a significant advantage as it allows the business to set the conditions that are most favorable to its growth and valuation.
💡Real Estate Crowdfunding
Real estate crowdfunding is a specific type of equity crowdfunding focused on raising funds for real estate investments. The script mentions platforms like CrowdStreet and RealCrowd, which are tailored for commercial real estate developers and investors, allowing them to raise capital for property investments without the need to manage the properties themselves.
💡Consumer Brands
Consumer brands are products or services that are marketed and sold directly to the end consumer. The video discusses CircleUp as a platform that specializes in equity crowdfunding for consumer brands, indicating that equity crowdfunding can be industry-specific and tailored to the needs of businesses in different sectors.
Highlights

Equity Crowdfunding is a way to raise money for your business without taking on debt, credit lines, loans, or credit cards.

It's possible to get approved for Equity Crowdfunding even with credit issues, lack of collateral, or if you're a new business without cash flow.

Equity Crowdfunding is similar to a stock offering from a non-stock exchange company, providing the benefits of public trading without the associated headaches.

There are two main types of crowdfunding: rewards-based and equity-based, with the latter offering ownership interest in the company.

With equity crowdfunding, you can set your own terms for how much stock or ownership interest you sell and at what price.

Crowdfunder is a popular platform for equity crowdfunding, boasting over 30,000 potential investors.

Fundable is another platform for raising general business funds, differentiating from platforms focused on specific purposes like real estate.

CrowdStreet and RealCrowd are platforms specifically designed for raising money to invest in commercial real estate.

Fundrise is suitable for new investors and businesses, offering a step-by-step guide to equity investing.

Wefunder specializes in startup ventures across various industries, making it ideal for newer businesses seeking investment.

PeerRealty is a platform for raising money to invest more in real estate, benefiting those who are willing to do the work in exchange for investment.

SeedInvest is an equity crowdfunding platform that caters to new businesses looking for funding.

Localstake is ideal for testing investor interest in your company or investment before fully committing to equity crowdfunding.

EquityNet uses data-driven information to improve the likelihood of your campaign getting invested, considering data from other investors and campaigns.

CircleUp focuses on consumer brands and raises potential capital for businesses in this niche.

The training offers a free consultation for a fundability assessment to improve your appeal to lenders, credit issuers, and private investors.

The consultation includes getting your business credit reports from Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax, and Experian at no cost.

Creditsuite.com/27ways provides access to a funding vault of 27 different ways to get money to grow your business.

Transcripts

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