Equity Crowdfunding: The Complete Guide For Startups And Growing Companies (Alternative Finance Series) Kindle Edition

We have all see Kickstarter and similar product reward crowd funding platforms spout up. The next step is direct crowd investment in companies - crowdfunding for equity or debt.The allure of fast equity raising without the high costs, delays and hassles of investment banking gatekeepers is powerful. But how to do it? What are the best platforms? What are the disastrous mistakes to avoid?This book answers all that and more.I like that it is written by a former investment banker who has become and expert advisor and speaker on crowdfunding. And that the author includes examples, case studies, and actual fund raiser quotes from around the world, not just one country.Crowdfunding is an alternative to traditional IPO, angel investors, and VCsChapter topics include:* Background - Understand the equity crowdfunding phenomenon* Is it for your company?* How to choose the best crowdfunding platform* Craft your pitch* Develop your marketing plan* Execute on your plan during the days their offer is live* What you must do next?Downloadable resources and templates add extra value to the book.If you are considering crowdfunding your start-up, are involved in the regulation of investments in your country, write about investing or are just curious to understand this next funding phenomenon then this book is recommended.

I have led two successful crowdfunding campaigns before I got behind-the-mind of Nathan Rose. Rose really nails down the topic of crowdfunding. This is a new movement for business in today's world and in many ways revolutionizing thought around traditional business. The author really digs into the possibilities that can take a business to another level. I really appreciate how he has done the research to cover all areas of crowdfunding.What is also incredible about crowdfunding today, is it lets investors become a part of the project/business in ways that weren't possible in the past. Investors can see the project grow with ease and investors can feel like they are apart of something unique. Rose really understands this. He understands the importance of this movement and where it is heading. He understands that with the internet and globalization this is a huge change for business and he has become the go-to-expert for equity crowdfunding in today's world.I also enjoyed how Rose used specific examples of crowdfunding campaigns. This helps readers to actually see how people are using this as a viable method for attracting investors today.

I was fortunate enough to have Nathan Rose on one of my podcasts and he broke down the message of equity crowdfunding so clearly - one of my most popular episodes - so it is about time he came out with the book! It helped me to understand in depth the policies and future of crowdfunding internationally. Even though I'm American myself, I am annoyed with the bias of many authors to only address the entire world from the American perspective - Nathan gives us a global outlook of equity crowdfunding not just the typical US centric.

I've done things a little bit backwards: My company committed to an equity crowdfunding campaign before reading this book. We didn’t jump into crowdfunding blindly – we talked to advisers, customers and prospective individual investors, then researched all the available Regulating Crowdfunding portals I could find before signing up. It just never occurred to me, in this Internet age, that I could read a book about equity crowdfunding, doh! I had some time on a plane ride and this book caught my eye, so I read the book to see if I was overlooking anything. It has been interesting to compare my experience in the USA with Reg CF in the real world with the guidance shared in the book.Yesterday, I was at a local startup event and recommended this book to a few people. As I explained while making the recommendation, the strongest parts of the book are: Explanation of equity crowdfunding, the guidance as to if it is a good fit for your idea/company and the preparation that is required to launch a successful campaign.To prepare for our own campaign, I heavily researched all the available USA Reg CF portals. I applied to several. I created investor accounts on several and I looked at many campaigns, both completed and active. Based on this research, here are some things to consider while reading this book:As mentioned in the book, some Reg CF portals, such as Republic and SeedInvest are picky, but other USA portals don’t seem to be very picky about the startups they allow. I applied to several portals where I had the impression that the primary/only consideration was if the owners could pass “bad actor” checks.I've seen many campaigns that have been able to raise money on ideas (rather than having traction). This isn’t an issue for my startup (we are past the idea and prototype stages and have significant traction), but I feel like it is a different from the guidance in the book (and may be due to the increasing popularity of Reg CF).Another issue that may be USA specific, but was/is confusing is how/how much you are allowed to “precondition” the market. The book makes a very strong case that you need to launch with investors already lined up. It seem to me that this is in opposition to SEC regulations and the guidance we’ve been given by the Reg CF portals.Most of the Reg CF portals either have or plan to allow a “rolling close”. Because of this, some companies leave their campaigns open for a full year (assuming they don’t hit the USA max $1.07 million before then). This changes the dynamic where companies hope to/need to raise most of their money at the beginning and end of their campaigns.Good luck with your ventures!

Crowd funding can be a,great way to raise money if:1) You have a truly viable offering or plan2) Have some skin in the game. The author recommends you have 30% of the required capital already raised before you launch.This book covers all aspects of crowd funding from preparing your business plan, marketing, communication, platform selection, investor psychology,what to do if you raise should fail, and more.This is definitely in my top 5 books on crowd funding if not #1.

This is an amazing book. If, like me, you are right at the beginning stages of working out how to fund a business this is an excellent place to start. Equity crowd-funding is an exciting and innovative area, but filled with pitfalls. Methodical, informative and clear, this book maps out the territory with calm pragmatism and shrewd judgement, cutting out the hyperbole. Every page is well-written, thoughtful, easy-to-understand and actionable in the real world. This is a guide you can trust, written by someone who evidently knows what they're talking about.All new entrepreneurs who are serious about crowdfunding their venture should begin here.Highly recommended.

I've been working at the coal face of the crowdfunding industry over the past 3+ years, and am yet to see a resource as comprehensive as Mr Rose's. There's a lot more to crowdfunding than meets the eye... If you're considering for your company, or even considering investing in another online, you have to know what you're getting into. There's a lot to gain by building a network of stakeholders, but also serious risks with having a large group of inexperienced investors. Nathan's nailed it with this one, touching on everything that matters, and taking a deep dive into the important topics.

I met Nathan at the Crowdfest 2016 event in Shoreditch, London in October and he's a deeply knowledgeable fellow who's been to the four corners of the globe to research this book. What he doesn't know about equity crowdfunding isn't worth knowing...

This book explains different types of crowd funding in such an easy way that anyone can understand. It is very well written and clearly shows Nathan's understanding of the challenges that most entrepreneurs face when it comes to raising funds. I highly recommend this book. It made me believe that being rejected by VC's is really is not the end of the road for an entrepreneur. There's a big crowd out there who Will get you and support you and Nathan can help finding them.

This book was so helpful. It is a subject which I have been exploring for a while and it is the first book that brought all the information together in an easy to read and entertaining way. It has certainly given me some great new business ideas and a fantastic overview on how the whole process works, what to look for and where the opportunities lie. Highly recommended!