Crowdfunding innovators are gathering today in Edinburgh, Scotland at the Innovation Foundation event to share their insight into how Scotland may maximize the potential of this new form of finance. Crowdfunding is booming in the UK and around the world. In 2013 over £200 million was invested via crowdfunding in the UK and all expectations are this number will grow dramatically over the coming years.
This panel event will explore the current state of Crowdfunding and the potential for this new way of financing projects in Scotland to grow in the future.
Nicola Horlick, CEO of Money&Co., commented on crowdfunding potential;
“Crowdfunding can inject growth and prosperity into Scotland. It’s not just something for tech companies in London’s Silicon Roundabout. At a time when the banks are failing businesses, crowdfunding offers a new pool of funding that companies can use to grow.
“I want to help create more Scottish success stories. There is a lot of potential for growth, but we can only tap into that if businesses get the support they need.”
“What I want to do with Money&Co. is open up the alternative finance sector so that more people and businesses can bypass the banks.”
Jackie McKenzie, Nesta Head of Innovation Programmes Scotland said:
“There is incredible interest in finding non-traditional methods of funding for businesses and other projects which is reflected in the huge number of people who have signed up to this event.”
“Enterprising businesses such as BrewDog have successfully used this method for their development and the potential for this way of financing reaches into the artistic sphere. This can be seen by the achievements of Impact Arts in financing the Young Gallery, as well as the broader activities of companies such as Twintangibles in providing research and advisory services to help organisations create value from the application of social and collaborative technologies.”
The events scheduled speakers include:
- Nicola Horlick, Money&Co.
- Neil Simpson, Brew Dog
- Rachael Brown, Impact Arts
- Tim Wright, Twintangibles
- Liam Collins, Nesta