For their part, the various crowdfunding sources have invented various business models and forms of funding that, they claim, maintain compliance. Again, the burden is on you to make sure that it is indeed as they claim.
The modern iteration of crowdfunding originated in creative endeavors, specifically in raising money to produce and distribute films. The best-known site for creative crowdfunding is probably Kickstarter http://www.kickstarter.com/
Crowdfunding has recently expanded beyond artistic and creative endeavors into providing funding mainstream business startups.
Obtaining startup capital via crowdfunding is no more of a guarantee of success than any other source of capital, but it may be much more accessible, especially if your startup is not physically in or near a major source of traditional startup funding.
There are a wide variety of business oriented crowdfunding sources, including:
- MicroVentures http://www.microventures.com/
- ProFounder https://www.profounder.com/
- 40Billion http://www.40billion.com/
- Peerbackers http://peerbackers.com/
- GoBigNetwork http://www.gobignetwork.com/
- CoFundIt http://www.cofundit.com/ (Europe centric)
- WiSeed http://www.wiseed.fr/ (France)
- FundStarter http://fundstarter.com/
- StartupAddict http://www.startupaddict.com/
- CrowdFunder http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/ (UK)
- CrowdCube http://www.crowdcube.com/ (UK)
- RevenueTrades http://www.revenuetrades.com/
- StartNext http://www.startnext.de/ (Germany)
- Ulule http://www.ulule.com/
- CapAngel http://www.capangel.com/ (France)
- Innovatrs http://www.innovatrs.com/
- GrowVC http://www.growvc.com/main/
- Investiere http://www.investiere.ch/en (Switzerland)
- PodiumVentures http://podiumfunds.com/ (Calgary, Canada)
- RaiseCapital http://www.raisecapital.com/
- SeedUps http://www.seedups.com/
- SeedMatch https://www.seedmatch.de/ (Germany)
- VenCorps http://www.vencorps.com/Page/Home
- VentureBonsai https://www.venturebonsai.com/
- WealthForge http://www.wealthforgeonline.com/
- FriendsClear http://www.friendsclear.com (France)
Additional crowdfunding sites:
Verticals / Specific Markets
- ApBackr http://www.appbackr.com/ (mobile apps)
- CoFundOS http://cofundos.com/ (open source software)
- Quirky http://www.quirky.com/ (product design)
Sweat Equity:
- Foundrs http://foundrs.com/home
- Webequity http://webequity.org
Creative / Design:
- InvestedIn http://invested.in/
- FansNextDoor http://en.fansnextdoor.com/
- IndieGoGo http://www.indiegogo.com/
- Kickstarter http://www.kickstarter.com/
- Pozible http://www.pozible.com.au/ (Australia)
- RocketHub http://rockethub.com/
- NewJelly http://www.newjelly.com/ (Norway)
- SellABand https://www.sellaband.com/
- CrowdFund http://www.crowdfunding.co.za/ (South Africa)
- Unbound http://unbound.co.uk/ (UK)
- SonicAngel http://www.sonicangel.com/
- Biracy http://www.biracy.com/
Giving Back / Social Causes
- 33Needs http://33needs.com/
- StartSomeGood http://startsomegood.com/
- Razoo http://www.razoo.com/
- CitizenEffect http://www.citizeneffect.org
- BuzzBnk https://www.buzzbnk.org/ (UK)
- GlobeForum http://www.globeforum.com/
General Non-Profit
- ChipIn http://www.chipin.com/
- Spot.Us http://spot.us/ (community funded reporting)
List of crowdfunding sites (all types):
Posts on how to use crowdfunding for your startup:
- http://socialtimes.com/crowdsourced-funding_b2408
- http://www.noobpreneur.com/2011/02/16/how-to-finance-your-business-startup-via-crowdfunding/
- http://www.powerhomebiz.com/blog/2011/01/using-crowd-funding/
- http://www.skillshare.com/Crowdfunding-How-to-Use-Your-Social-Media-Skills-To-Raise-Money/917757616/180231327
- http://www.microfilmmaker.com/tipstrick/Issue60/Kickstr1.html
The sites in this post came from these lists and searches:
- http://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/2853-13-Crowdfunding-Websites-to-Fund-Your-Business
- http://blog.webdistortion.com/2010/07/18/9-crowdfunding-websites-to-help-you-change-the-world/
- http://www.crowdsourcing.org/document/crowdfunding-your-startup-10-new-websites-put-cash-in-your-company/2918
- http://www.powerhomebiz.com/blog/2011/01/list-of-crowd-funding-sites/
Crowdsourceing Industry site:
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