Iconoclastic brewery, and financial innovators, BrewDog easily raised £5 million in just 20 days making the point that equity crowdfunding is an effective path to raise capital. The established independent brewery, based in Scotland, is looking to raise £25 million in total as part of its 4th “Equity for Punks” crowdfunding campaign that was announced last month. According to company representatives, velocity on their funding rounds has improved as in 2013 it took the company about 6 months to raise £4.25 million
James Watt co-founder of BrewDogs stated;
“We’re very pleased with the response Equity for Punks has received. Raising £5 million in less than three weeks is no small feat. Many questioned our target of raising £25million, but we’ve passed the record we set in 2013 in a fraction of the time. It’s proof that there is a thirst for alternative finance out there, and that people are sick and tired of the fat cats controlling everyone’s money.”
BrewDog took advantage of the £5 million mark with some guerrilla marketing by mocking “fat cat” bankers. Stuffed cats dressed in waistcoats, top hats and monocles were cat bombed over the skies of London. Watt, along with co-founder Martin Dickie, dropped the cats, each gripping the BrewDog prospectus, from helicopters. BrewDog called their tactics “anti-propoganda propaganda”.
This is our way of showcasing the viability of alternative forms of finance, it is our own anti-propaganda propaganda,” said Watt. He continued to describe the fat cat stunt as a “glorious combination of art, guerrilla warfare, taxidermy and feline sartorial elegance.”
BrewDog is issuing 526,316 shares available for a minimum investment of £95/ 2 shares. Watt previously stated; “We already have 14,568 passionate shareholders and with this new round we invite tens of thousands more to join the craft beer revolution and help us change the world forever.”
The Scottish Brewery saw revenue increase year over year in 2014 to £29.6 million from £18 million in 2013. Profit topped £4.9 million in contrast to the £2.9 year prior. The capital infusion will be utilized to expand the brand as part of its global growth strategy. BrewDog intends on launching a craft beer hotel and a custom sour beer facilitation and distillation plant. BrewDog was founded by the two friends (and a dog) in 2007 operating out of a shed and now employs more than 356 individuals, exports to over 50 countries, and operates 27 branded bars. BrewDog claims the title of UK’s fastest growing food and drinks brand.
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