The Gainesville Area Innovation Network (GAIN), the area’s oldest and largest network of technology entrepreneurs and innovators, in partnership with Santa Fe College’s Center for Innovation and Economic Development (CIED), has announced an unprecedented educational event featuring crowdfunding platform EarlyShares. The educational event is a follow up to EarlyShares’ national roadshow in 2012, where the platform visited 24 cities in 24 weeks, to educate local business owners, investors, entrepreneurs and local media on how equity based crowdfunding can benefit their community.
GAIN is hosting the educational workshop and networking mixer on Feb. 13 at 4 p.m. at CIED’s campus at 530 West University Avenue. The workshop will cover the basics of equity crowdfunding, which was legalized under the 2012 JOBS Act, and will provide crucial information for area entrepreneurs and investors about how they can become involved. Entry is $10 per person and the event is open to the public and the media. The networking mixer will follow the workshop.
EarlyShares, an innovative start-up itself, is the leading equity based crowdfunding platform with a mission to connect investors and entrepreneurs in a safe and secure way, is looking to have an open conversation with entrepreneurs and investors eager to transform their ideas and startups into successful businesses.
Equity based crowdfunding is a newly created type of investing whereby groups of people make investments online so that new and existing businesses can grow and prosper. Until recently, general crowdfunding has been used to donate money for artistic and philanthropic projects and applications. Equity based crowdfunding uses the power of the crowd and the Web to provide capital to startup businesses in return for an investor stake.
Jason Burmer, head of venture capital relations for EarlyShares, will present on equity crowdfunding in the U.S., who can participate and what entrepreneurs should expect when preparing to crowdfund a new or existing business.
“I am excited to open a conversation about what equity crowdfunding will mean to businesses in this community,” said Burmer. “Before equity crowdfunding is able to reach its potential, those who stand to benefit need to be aware that it exists. Partnering with GAIN and the CIED allows us to educate up-and-coming entrepreneurs on the ins and outs of utilizing equity crowdfunding for their next project. EarlyShares remains dedicated to both investor and entrepreneur education, which is why we’re pleased to be a part of this forum.”