Question

Assignment #3

Choose the optimal platform to raise $ 100 000

Two options:

1. you are ready to keep what your raise
2. you need the whole some

Crowdfunding for Small Business

Crowdfunder
Their cut: Choose from two plans with varied features: $299/month and $999/month.
Perks: Campaign plans include confidential document protection, investor analytics, live support, and access to their network of investors.
Caveats: You’ll need certain documents in order to use their platform: a Term Sheet, Executive Summary, and an Investor Pitch Deck.
All-or-nothing fundraising goals? Keep what you raise.

SeedInvest
Their cut: $250 per month technology fee; 7.5% fee for successful campaigns; and up to $3,500 in due diligence, escrow, and legal fees for successful campaigns.
Perks: Experience. The founders are investors themselves, and their support team has overseen billions in private investments.
Caveats: Their vetting process is thorough, so make sure you’ve got a professional proposal and expect it to take some time before your project is approved or rejected.
All-or-nothing fundraising goals? Yes.

SeedUps
Their cut: 5% fee for successful campaigns.
Perks: When the SeedUps team reviews your submission, they’ll give you suggestions for your campaign before setting up your live project page.
Caveats: Fundraising range is between $25,000 – $500,000.
All-or-nothing fundraising goals? Keep what you raise.

StartUpValley
Their cut: 5% of successful campaigns.
Perks: Check out their blog for tips on successful crowdfunding tips for startups.
Caveats: Currently in beta. They’re an equity-only platform, so you must be willing to accept investments in exchange for a stake in your company.
All-or-nothing fundraising goals? Yes.

Crowdfunding

Bolstr
Their cut: Bolstr’s attorneys review each campaign before it’s launched, to protect both your business and potential investors. Legal fees range from $500-$1,000 (you can also use your own attorney). Other costs include a listing fee and regulatory filing fees.
Perks: They help you raise funds from those most likely to continue supporting you after your campaign ends: your local community.
Caveats: Not for struggling businesses. If your small business is thriving and you need funds to expand, Bolstr is for you. Must be incorporated (no sole proprietorships allowed) and pass their background checks.
All-or-nothing fundraising goals? Yes.

Community Sourced Capital
Their cut: A one-time $250 launch fee. Once your campaign is successful, you’ll be charged $100 per month until the principal amount on your loan is repaid.
Perks: Your $250 launch fee covers tech support, marketing assistance, and administrative help.
Caveats: This is a loan, not a donation. Pledges are set at a fixed amount of $50.
All-or-nothing fundraising goals? Yes.

Fundable
Their cut: $179/month. No fees are charged on the funds you raise, but transaction fees apply.
Perks: Use their profile creation wizard to set up an attractive campaign page.
Caveats: You can offer backers rewards or equity, but not both.
All-or-nothing fundraising goals? Yes.

Funding Community
Their cut: Successful campaigns are charged an origination fee of 2.5%.
Perks: You’ll receive better loan rates than from banks or other traditional lending agencies.
Caveats: Loans are limited to $10,000 and must be repaid within 9 months. Interest rates depend on the type of company and your credit score.
All-or-nothing fundraising goals? Yes.

Localstake
Their cut: Choose from three plans with varying support features and fees. For a business that has raised some funding but wants to access Localstake’s investor audience through their Boost plan, there is a one-time fee of $500, plus a fee of 3.75-7.5% for successful campaigns.
Perks: With the Boost plan, you’ll get a dedicated advisor to help you run your campaign.
Caveats: Must submit an application before your campaign is approved.
All-or-nothing fundraising goals? Yes.

Answer 1

Comparing all the platforms, optimal platform to raise $100 000 should be SeedInvest considering cost and advantages of the platform as mentioned below:

Reasons
Their cut is low: $250 per month technology fee; Additional fees are conditional : 7.5% fee for successful campaigns; and up to $3,500 in due diligence, escrow, and legal fees for successful campaigns.
Perks in terms of experience is very important for a successful campaign: The founders are investors themselves, and their support team has overseen billions in private investments.
Caveats are actually an advantage: Since their vetting process is thorough, we need to make a professional proposal which increases chances of a successful campaign. The only disadvantage is that it might take some time before our project is approved or rejected. In case rejected, we can choose the next optimal platform.
All-or-nothing fundraising goals? Yes. This will help to achieve the goal of raising full money.