Investment crowdfunding platform WiSeed has surpassed € 30 million in funding. Launched in 2008, WiSeed has been a leader in the nascent crowdfunding scene in France. In January 2015, Crowdfund Insider wrote that WiSeed had signed up 37,700 members, funded 51 startups, and raised € 14 million. In less than one year that amount has more than doubled. In 2012, the platform added real estate investments to their mix. Today the platform crowdfunds both debt and equity having funded over 80 startups and 25 real estate projects. Having launched in 2008, WiSeed has rightly claimed early adopter status having trail blazed a path not only in France but the world.
“Les chiffres progressent de manière exponentielle. La barre des 30 000 0000 d’euros a été franchie. Les WiSEEDers sont toujours plus engagés. Bravo à tous ! Une nouvelle économie est bien en marche. #crowdfunding”
Having been in operation for longer than many other platforms, WiSeed touts a very successful exit for equity investors in an early stage startup Antabio. The Biotech firm raised approximately €300,000 from 207 crowdfunding investors in 2010. Less than two years later private investors purchased outstanding shares generating a 44% return on investment for early investors.
France updated their regulatory regime easing the rules surrounding investment crowdfunding in October of 2014 which gave a significant boost to the industry.
WiSeed was co-founded by Nicolas Seres and Thierry Merquiol both remain active on the platform today.
