Seedrs co-founder Jeff Lynn talks risk, investor expectations and the future of crowdfunding March 4, 2015 In 2014, the fastest growing subsector of Britain’s alternative finance market was equity-based crowdfunding, according to figures from EY and the University of Cambridge. It grew by a whopping 420 per cent, with volumes totalling €111m (£80.5m). But such fast growth makes it increasingly vital that would-be investors have access to information about the industry. [...]
Diary of a Crowdfunder: Six months on from a transformative funding round February 25, 2015 Frazer Thompson, chief executive of winemaker Chapel Down, explains what it’s like following a successful fundraise We started a journey, 13 years ago now, to transform people’s opinions about English wine. It’s been a long, tough and sometimes frustrating journey. Most people thought we were mad. But some brave folk thought we were not. Over [...]
Crowdfunding could transform healthcare through innovative disease diagnosis and new treatments February 11, 2015 Crowdfunding provides a unique opportunity for the development of innovations that might otherwise fall by the wayside – between the government and private companies, there is simply not enough money available to turn all promising ideas into a reality. The merits have already been shown across a range of industries – over the last few [...]
LendInvest IPO: P2P mortgage firm hoping to be City’s first public crowdfunding site February 2, 2015 Peer-to-peer (P2P) mortgage firm LendInvest is hoping to be the first crowdfunding business to list on the London Stock Exchange with plans afoot for its debut in the next 12 months. The group’s chief executive Christian Faes told City A.M. that while the business has yet to appoint bankers to work on it, he said [...]
Dream debut as Lending Club valuation soars after IPO in boost to British crowdfunding December 11, 2014 Lending Club’s valuation soared to more than $8bn yesterday as shares rocketed as much as 60 per cent on their first day of trading. The world’s biggest peer-to-peer lender floated in New York, and could kick-start a new tech boom – with British crowdfunding firms getting a big boost from the intense investor interest. [...]
Crowdfunding website Indiegogo offers investors insurance in case projects fail December 3, 2014 Crowdfunding website Indiegogo will trial an insurance option for its users, in case the projects they invest money in fail to materialise. It's currently being tested on one project, a wearable band that helps manage stress called Olive. Potential investors can pay the $15 (£10) "optional insurance" fee in addition to the $129 required backing, as reported by TechCrunch. The [...]
Sir Clive Sinclair is crowdfunding a new ZX Spectrum computer December 2, 2014 If you were around in the 1980s, you will know how truly immense this news is. Sir Clive Sinclair is crowdfunding to create a new ZX Spectrum. For those who don't, Sinclair was behind the Spectrum range – one of the first mainstream home computers in the UK, which rivalled the likes of the [...]
Bermondsey-based DIY brewery launches crowdfunding campaign November 26, 2014 UBREW, a Bermondsey-based brewery that allows members to brew their own craft beer, has launched a crowdfunding campaign today. Set to open in the New Year on the Bermondsey Mile, Ubrew is looking to crowdsource £75,000 – in exchange for 10 per cent equity in the company – to purchase equipment, rented accommodation and a [...]
Gimme 3: Startups crowdfunding this month November 17, 2014 Oak and Iron Target: £55,000 for 30 per cent equity The furniture company uses environmentally friendly processes and locally sourced materials. Owner Terry Facey has made furniture for Harrods. Raised: £44,700 www.fundingtree.co.uk Grub Club Target: £250,000 for 15.6 per cent equity A team on a mission to change how we dine by creating pop [...]
Taylor St Brewing a £3m crowdfunding November 12, 2014 TAYLOR St Baristas, a trailblazer in the City’s speciality coffee scene, plans to raise up to £3m through the launch of the UK’s first crowdfunded Coffee Bond. The bond is live on Crowdcube and Taylor St plans to double the size of its business over the next two years, with funds gained being used to [...]