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Who has a better chance at raising funds under investment crowdfunding - a company with a single founder or a company with co-founders?
Before answering the question, it's important to understand the current state of how many equity crowdfunding companies are run by solo founders vs. two or more founders. From a recent KingsCrowd Chart of the Week, we can see that roughly 47% of all equity crowdfunding raises since 2020 were run by ... more
Before answering the question, it's important to understand the current state of how many equity crowdfunding companies are run by solo founders vs. two or more founders. From a recent KingsCrowd Chart of the Week, we can see that roughly 47% of all equity crowdfunding raises since 2020 were run by solo founders, while the other 53% had two or more co-founders.
With that perspective, let's look at some thinking around whether or not single founders or co-founders are more successful at raising funds.
Looking at 2022 data from KingsCrowd for raises that closed in 2022, here are the average amounts raised for Reg CF campaigns (equity and debt crowdfunding):
The data shows that companies with 2 or more founders raised $433k on average, while companies with solo founders raised $338k on average. That being said, there have still been some very successful campaigns run by solo founders, so this is by no means a hard rule.
There could be reasons in the data that skewed a higher average towards companies with co-founders. For example, it could be that later-stage companies (those with revenue that tend to raise more money on average) may have been around for longer and potentially recruited additional founders to the founding team, vs. those founders who are just getting started out.
However, there could be other reasons that lead investors to invest more in companies with co-founders.
A company with co-founders may be a signal to investors that the product and mission are something that isn't just in the mind of a single individual, but something that has the potential to capture the passion of multiple founders. This could also indicate potential about one (or more) of the founders' abilities to sell the vision and the business potential to others.
Multiple founders may also be looked upon favorably by investors as a system of redundancy. Life happens and startups are hard, and it could be more reassuring to know that there are multiple founders on a team providing support to one another and encouraging each other to continue with the going gets tough.
Co-founders can also use their combined network of contacts to seek out and establish relationships with investors, which provides greater access to potential funding opportunities than if a single founder was pitching alone. Finally, many large investor groups prefer investing in companies with more than one founder because they feel it reduces risk by providing more oversight and management than an individual leader can provide on their own.
Therefore, while companies with single founders may have success in raising funds through investment crowdfunding platforms, co-founded companies may have a slight advantage when it comes to this form of fundraising.
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Why is regulated investment crowdfunding so difficult?
Regulated investment crowdfunding, also known as equity crowdfunding, is the process of raising money from a large number of investors, often through online platforms, in exchange for equity in a company. While it can be an attractive way for startups and small businesses to access capital, there ar... more
Regulated investment crowdfunding, also known as equity crowdfunding, is the process of raising money from a large number of investors, often through online platforms, in exchange for equity in a company. While it can be an attractive way for startups and small businesses to access capital, there are several reasons why it can be difficult to navigate the regulatory environment surrounding investment crowdfunding.
1. Regulatory compliance: Investment crowdfunding is regulated by securities laws, which can be complex and vary by jurisdiction. Platforms that facilitate investment crowdfunding must comply with these laws, which can be difficult to navigate without legal expertise.
2. Investor protection: Securities laws are designed to protect investors from fraudulent or misleading investments. As a result, investment crowdfunding platforms must take measures to ensure that investors are adequately informed about the risks associated with the investment, and that they meet certain criteria for investing, such as income or net worth thresholds.
3. Capital raising limitations: Investment crowdfunding is subject to limitations on the amount of capital that can be raised from individual investors, as well as the total amount that can be raised through crowdfunding in a given period. These limitations can make it difficult for companies to raise the capital they need through investment crowdfunding alone.
4. Competition with other fundraising methods: Investment crowdfunding is not the only way for companies to raise capital. Other methods, such as traditional bank loans, venture capital, or angel investing, may be more attractive to some companies depending on their stage of growth, industry, or funding needs.
Overall, regulated investment crowdfunding can be a complex and challenging process due to regulatory compliance, investor protection requirements, capital raising limitations, and competition with other fundraising methods. However, it can also provide an opportunity for companies to access capital from a large pool of investors and reach a wider audience than traditional fundraising methods.
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When is the best time of year to raise funds and conduct a crowdfunding campaign?
According to our data Q2 tends to have the most funded deals of the year. Since most offerings last around 4 months, launching in Q4 might be smart. Of course, there are other factors that play into account like whether the issuer is a startup or established and what geopolitical or macroeconomic ev... more
According to our data Q2 tends to have the most funded deals of the year. Since most offerings last around 4 months, launching in Q4 might be smart. Of course, there are other factors that play into account like whether the issuer is a startup or established and what geopolitical or macroeconomic events are pressuring investors.
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What is the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) likely position on Regulated Investment Crowdfunding?
Based on the report by the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), it seems likely that they would have a cautious stance toward Regulation Crowdfunding. The report emphasizes the importance of defending public capital markets and raising concerns about efforts that expand the ... more
Based on the report by the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), it seems likely that they would have a cautious stance toward Regulation Crowdfunding. The report emphasizes the importance of defending public capital markets and raising concerns about efforts that expand the incentives for staying private. This suggests that NASAA may view Regulation Crowdfunding as a potential threat to public markets and the traditional principles of securities regulation.
The report expresses concerns that legislative proposals, such as those in the JOBS Act 4.0, could erode public markets and adversely affect businesses and investors that rely on those markets to raise investment capital. NASAA also highlights opposition to proposals that would limit the role of state regulators in overseeing capital raising in the private market. This stance suggests that NASAA is likely to be cautious about expanding exemptions for private offerings and other regulatory changes that could make it easier for companies to raise capital without going through public markets.
However, NASAA does support certain proposals that could enhance investor protection and improve coordination among state and federal regulators. For example, they advocate for a comprehensive enforcement database that covers everyone convicted or held liable in criminal, civil, and regulatory actions involving financial services. They also call for stronger coordination between state and federal regulators and improved regulatory data collection, particularly on activity in the private markets.
Overall, while NASAA is likely to be cautious about Regulation Crowdfunding, they are also interested in finding ways to improve investor protection and strengthen regulatory oversight in both public and private markets.
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Are there any websites that display all live crowdfunding opportunities?
Yes, there are websites and companies that aggregate crowdfunding deals that are active (as well as other types of deals).
Some of these primary deal aggregators include:
1. KingsCrowd ("Trusted by over 475,000 investors to vet startup investments from 60+ online investment platforms")
Yes, there are websites and companies that aggregate crowdfunding deals that are active (as well as other types of deals).
Some of these primary deal aggregators include:
1. KingsCrowd ("Trusted by over 475,000 investors to vet startup investments from 60+ online investment platforms")
2. so.capital ("Equity Crowdfunding, Donation Crowdfunding, NFTs, Alternative Assets")
3. Vincent ("exempt reporting adviser in the alternative investment space")
4. CrowdLustro ("Reg CF, Collectibles, Real Estate, NFTs, & other alternative assets")
5. Alts.co ("alternative assets" -- more than just crowdfunding)
6. Sharky - ("Discover startups like a pro!")
7. Investibule - ("Investibule opens the door to community investments - aggregating opportunities across 30+ platforms.")
For those looking for deals outside the US, there are other aggregators (e.g. CrowdInvest - "Invest in promising start-ups in India from the UK"). As with any service provider, it's important to verify information listed on these sites with information on the site of the funding portal or provided by the issuer.
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Does the SEC need to first approve a Reg CF or Reg A+ deal before it goes live?
Completely different process for the two sorts of offering.
In a Reg CF offering, the Form C is filed with the SEC and the moment it shows up on the EDGAR system, the issuer can start accepting investment commitments on the intermediary's site. The SEC does not review or sign off in any way. That do... more
Completely different process for the two sorts of offering.
In a Reg CF offering, the Form C is filed with the SEC and the moment it shows up on the EDGAR system, the issuer can start accepting investment commitments on the intermediary's site. The SEC does not review or sign off in any way. That doesn't mean they (and other regulators) aren't looking, though!
In a Reg A offering, the SEC must review and "qualify" the offering before it goes live. (We don't use the term "approve"; the SEC never approves or blesses offerings.) If it's a Tier 1 Reg A offering, the states that the offer will be made into also have to sign off.
In both cases, you can "test the waters" before filing or qualification, but any materials you use to test the waters need to be filed with the SEC.
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Do investors view a company with a previous equity crowdfunding round as a good or bad thing?
It can depend on the specific circumstances of the equity crowdfunding round and the company's performance since then. In general, investors may view a company that has successfully completed an equity crowdfunding round as a good thing because it can indicate that the company has a strong base of s... more
It can depend on the specific circumstances of the equity crowdfunding round and the company's performance since then. In general, investors may view a company that has successfully completed an equity crowdfunding round as a good thing because it can indicate that the company has a strong base of supporters and has been able to raise capital in the past. Additionally, a company that has completed an equity crowdfunding round will have a track record of financial performance and investor relations, which can be viewed positively by potential investors.
On the other hand, if a company has struggled to meet its financial projections or has had difficulty maintaining good relations with its investors, this could be viewed negatively by potential investors. Additionally, a company that has completed multiple rounds of equity crowdfunding without showing significant progress or growth could also be viewed as a red flag.
It's important to note that each company is unique, and the success or failure of one company's equity crowdfunding campaign should not be used as a definitive indicator of future performance. Potential investors should always conduct their own due diligence on any company before investing.
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What is Reg A+?
Regulation A+ (Reg A+) is a set of rules and regulations put in place by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that allows small and medium-sized companies to raise funds from a large number of investors through a mini-IPO process. Reg A+ is an update to the existing Regulation A, which was a... more
Regulation A+ (Reg A+) is a set of rules and regulations put in place by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that allows small and medium-sized companies to raise funds from a large number of investors through a mini-IPO process. Reg A+ is an update to the existing Regulation A, which was adopted under the JOBS Act.
Reg A+ allows companies to raise up to $75 million in a 12-month period from both accredited and non-accredited investors, and it allows the securities to be sold to the public, which differs from Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) which has a cap of $5 million in a 12-month period.
The process of Reg A+ is similar to a traditional IPO, but it is less costly and less burdensome for companies, with fewer disclosure requirements and ongoing reporting obligations, but it still requires the companies to file an offering statement with the SEC, and the SEC will review the statement to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations.
Reg A+ is seen as a way for smaller companies to access the public markets, by providing an alternative to traditional IPOs and Reg D, which are typically only available to larger, more established companies. Reg A+ also allows companies to test the waters and gauge investor interest before committing to a full-scale IPO.
In summary, Reg A+ is a new regulation that allows smaller companies to raise capital from a large number of investors through a mini-IPO process, by complying with certain rules and regulations set by the SEC. It allows companies to raise more capital than Reg CF and it has fewer disclosure requirements and ongoing reporting obligations than a traditional IPO.
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What is the difference between Regulation Crowdfunding and Reg CF?
Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) and Reg CF are the same thing, Reg CF refers to Title III of the JOBS Act, which is also known as Regulation Crowdfunding. It is a set of rules and regulations put in place by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that allows small businesses and startups to r... more
Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) and Reg CF are the same thing, Reg CF refers to Title III of the JOBS Act, which is also known as Regulation Crowdfunding. It is a set of rules and regulations put in place by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that allows small businesses and startups to raise funds from a large number of investors through crowdfunding platforms.
Regulation Crowdfunding allows companies to raise up to $5 million in a 12-month period from both accredited and non-accredited investors, via crowdfunding platforms that are SEC-registered intermediaries. The process of Reg CF is different from traditional fundraising methods, such as IPOs, venture capital, and angel investing, as it allows companies to raise money from a large number of small investors through online platforms.
Reg CF is a relatively new regulation and it has provided small businesses and startups with a new way to raise funds, by allowing them to tap into a large pool of potential investors. This has also opened up investment opportunities for smaller investors who may not have been able to participate in traditional fundraising methods.
In summary, Reg CF and Regulation Crowdfunding are the same thing, it's the legal framework that allow companies to raise funds from a large number of investors through crowdfunding platforms, by complying with certain rules and regulations set by the SEC.
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In the point of view of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, can you answer how he might perceive the benefits of crowdfunding and impact investing ?
As someone who believed in the power of community and collective action to bring about change, I would likely see the benefits of crowdfunding and impact investing. These forms of financing allow individuals to pool their resources together to support causes and businesses that align with their valu... more
As someone who believed in the power of community and collective action to bring about change, I would likely see the benefits of crowdfunding and impact investing. These forms of financing allow individuals to pool their resources together to support causes and businesses that align with their values and beliefs.
Crowdfunding, in particular, has the potential to provide small businesses and startups, particularly those owned by minorities and disadvantaged communities, with access to much-needed capital. This can help to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in these communities, which is vital to achieving true equality and justice.
Impact investing, on the other hand, allows individuals to invest in businesses and projects that not only provide financial returns but also have a positive social and environmental impact. It is a way for people to use their financial resources to promote sustainable development and address pressing global issues such as poverty, climate change, and inequality.
I would also see the potential of crowdfunding and impact investing to provide a way for marginalized communities to take an active role in shaping the economy and society. It empowers people to use their financial resources to promote causes and businesses that align with their values and beliefs, instead of being passive recipients of charity.
In summary, I would see the benefits of crowdfunding and impact investing as a way for individuals to use their financial resources to promote economic justice, sustainable development and empower marginalized communities to shape their own future.
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