How to Choose the Right Equity Crowdfunding Platform for Your Business.

Jeff "fuzzy" Wenzel
3 min readSep 1, 2022

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Crowdfunding can be a great option when you’re ready to raise money for your business. But which crowdfunding platform should you choose? Equity crowdfunding platforms are becoming increasingly popular but aren’t all the same. Each platform has its rules and regulations, and not every platform is right for every business. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of equity crowdfunding platforms and help you decide which one is right for you.

Equity-based vs. Debt-based.

When it comes to crowdfunding, there are a few things you should take into consideration. First and foremost, what type of crowdfunding are you looking for? There are two main types of crowdfunding: debt-based crowdfunding and equity-based crowdfunding. With debt-based crowdfunding, businesses can raise money by selling bonds or other securities. Equity-based crowdfunding allows businesses to sell ownership stakes in the company in exchange for funding.

So which one is right for your business? If you’re unsure, we’ve put together a list of the pros and cons of each type of crowdfunding to help you decide.

Debt-based Crowdfunding:

Pros:

  • Businesses can raise money without giving up equity in the company.
  • Businesses can receive funding from a wide range of investors, including friends, family, and strangers.
  • There is no limit to how much money can be raised through debt-based crowdfunding.

Cons:

  • Interest payments can be expensive and put a strain on cash flow.
  • The business may not be able to sell equity stakes in the future if it wants to expand or take on new investors.
Photo by Mufid Majnun on Unsplash

Equity Crowdfunding:

Pros:

  • Businesses can raise large sums of money by selling equity stakes in the company.
  • Equity crowdfunding is often less risky for businesses than debt crowdfunding because there are no interest payments to worry about.

Cons:

  • Businesses may have to give up a large percentage of ownership in the company.
  • Not all crowdfunding platforms allow businesses to sell equity stakes.
Photo by micheile dot com on Unsplash

A few platforms for equity crowdfunding.

When it comes to startup funding, equity crowdfunding is becoming an increasingly popular option. For businesses, equity crowdfunding can offer several advantages over traditional forms of financing. Perhaps most importantly, equity crowdfunding can provide a wider range of potential investors, which can lead to more diverse perspectives and a greater chance of success. Additionally, the structure of equity crowdfunding can provide a higher degree of control for business owners. Here are three equity crowdfunding platforms for businesses:

  • Wefunder: Wefunder is one of the largest and most popular equity crowdfunding platforms available today. The platform has helped raise over $200 million for startup companies since it was founded in 2012.
  • SeedInvest: SeedInvest is another leading equity crowdfunding platform that has helped startup companies raise over $100 million since 2012. One thing that sets SeedInvest apart from other platforms is its commitment to quality control — all businesses that are featured on the platform undergo an intensive vetting process before they are allowed to launch their campaign.
  • Republic: Republic is an angel-backed equity crowdfunding platform that has helped startup companies raise over $50 million since 2016. One thing that distinguishes Republic from other platforms is its focus on accessibility — startup companies only need to have a minimum funding goal of $1,000 to launch a campaign on the site.

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Jeff "fuzzy" Wenzel
Jeff "fuzzy" Wenzel

Written by Jeff "fuzzy" Wenzel

Startup Fundraising Re-Imagined 🤔 Retail Investor 💰 Startup Advisor 🏆 Innovation Enthusiast 🥳

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