General News

March 1, 2016 @ 2:22 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

This week, Kickstarter alum Kano announced its latest upgrade, Raspberry Pi 3. The DIY computer kit reportedly has new games and art-making challenges that are all sharable through Kano World, a creative community for tech beginners. Alex Klein, Kano founder and CEO, stated: “For three years,… Read More

March 1, 2016 @ 6:02 am By Erin Hobey  |  

LendInvest, a leading short-term property finance lender, has confirmed that it is still accepting applications for loans to finance purchases that could complete before the 3% Stamp Duty Land Tax increase that comes into effect for landlords and developers on 1 April. LendInvest has avoided… Read More

March 1, 2016 @ 5:14 am By Erin Hobey  |  

The Financial Stability Board seeks to evaluate the potential for systemic risk posed by emerging innovations in financial technology, a move which may mark the beginning of the end to the regulatory advantages enjoyed by fintech firms operating at the fringes of the financial services sector, according… Read More

February 29, 2016 @ 2:12 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

UnaliWear and Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. announced on Monday the initial closing of UnaliWear’s $3.4 million Series Seed financing, led by a $1 million investment from Maxim Ventures.  This news comes just one year after UnaliWear secured over $110,000 on Kickstarter. The companies are working together on… Read More

February 29, 2016 @ 1:04 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

On Monday, the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NFCA) announced that CEO of LendingArch, Arti Modi, has joined its advisory board.  Craig Asano, founder and executive director of NCFA Canada, stated: “As consumer finance continues to evolve through technology innovations and data advancements, marketplace lending will… Read More

February 29, 2016 @ 9:55 am By Samantha Hurst  |  

In celebration of February 29th, also known as Leap Day, Crowdfunder UK has announced a new contest as a way to change the meaning and purpose of the day. Sharing details about UK’s past traditions for Leap Day, Crowdfunder team shared: “February 29. The one… Read More

February 27, 2016 @ 2:49 pm By JD Alois  |  

For many small businesses to thrive, they need access to capital.  A promising business must be able to find financing to grow their business. If you do not have sufficient cash on hand you must go elsewhere. Typically SMEs start with the proprietor using their… Read More

February 26, 2016 @ 1:57 pm By Ethan Senturia  |  

I was recently asked, “What should a small business owner in a major cash crunch do to make payroll?”  Well, honestly, my first response was to say, “Try to not get to that point in the first place.”  As the old saying goes, an ounce… Read More

February 26, 2016 @ 1:20 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

With the 88th annual Academy Awards (Oscars) airing this Sunday evening, Kickstarter joined in on the event’s festivities by celebrating crowdfunding creators that have been nominated. The famous portal  revealed that since 2011 at least one Kickstarter-funded film has been nominated for an Oscar each… Read More

February 26, 2016 @ 12:11 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

Ribbit.me, a NY-based blockchain technology startup, announced on Thursday it has successfully raised $1.5 million during a seed funding round which was led by Hayaat Group, an investment company based in Dubai, with Privity FZ LLE acting as advisor. Ribbit.me has reportedly built what’s considered… Read More

February 26, 2016 @ 8:00 am By Samantha Hurst  |  

DRB, a national bank and a marketplace lender that has reached $1 billion in student loan refinancings, today announced it has closed its fifth securitization. This fifth securitization brings total issuance in excess of $1.1 billion. DRB has been providing refinancing options for student loans… Read More

February 25, 2016 @ 4:36 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

 The Baby Boomers may never quite catch on, but mobile payments have won fans among the young US consumers coveted by so many brands – at least that’s what the recent GfK study confirmed. The research revealed in the US, Generation Z (ages 18 to… Read More

February 25, 2016 @ 1:59 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

Last week, GE’s FirstBuild announced that its Indiegogo funded project, Opal Nugget Ice Maker, has entered the testing phase of its production. Last summer, the company launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise $150,000 for the product. The project quickly surpassed its initial goal and crossed the… Read More

February 25, 2016 @ 11:02 am By Samantha Hurst  |  

BookFuel, a company that provides professional self-publishing services to aspiring authors, announces the launch of FundMyBook to help authors publish with the help of sponsorships and other support by friends and family. FundMyBook provides a viable option to any writer who may have been intimidated… Read More

February 25, 2016 @ 10:31 am By Samantha Hurst  |  

Following the announcement that two animated Kickstarter-funded films have been recognized by The Academy, the crowdfunding giant’s film team has decided to reveal their cartoon movie favorites. Kickstarter’s Liz Cook, George Schmalz, and Dan Schoenbrun have put together a list of animated works that have… Read More

February 25, 2016 @ 9:24 am By Samantha Hurst  |  

On Wednesday, equity crowdfunding platform Crowdcube celebrated the winners of its 2015 awards. The annual event honors many businesses that have funded through the UK portal (which is also celebrating it fifth birthday). The Crowdcube crew previously stated: “The categories range from ‘Pitch of the Year’ and ‘Coolest Brand… Read More

February 25, 2016 @ 6:49 am By Erin Hobey  |  

Just days after Kickstarter Alum & Mobile Wallet Provider LoopPay, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., announced that Samsung Pay, the mobile payment service, had reached a global milestone – nearly five million registered users processed over $500 million in its first six months, showing a strong adoption rate… Read More

February 25, 2016 @ 6:28 am By Erin Hobey  |  

The UK’s first ‘Council Solar Bond’ has been introduced today by P2P investment platform Abundance and Swindon Borough Council. The bond will pay investors a 6% return over a 20-year term paid in cash twice yearly, and those who invest within six weeks of today’s launch… Read More

February 25, 2016 @ 6:08 am By Erin Hobey  |  

Ablrate, the UK marketplace lender who specializes in asset-backed transactions, today announced its largest aircraft loan so far has reached its £1.8 million target within 13 days. This  most recent loan takes Ablrate’s total loans since inception past £6 million –£6,069,187.89 at this writing — with… Read More

February 25, 2016 @ 5:39 am By Erin Hobey  |  

LoanZen Pvt Ltd, which runs P2P lending marketplace LoanZen, has raised an undisclosed amount in seed funding from angel investors through Tracxn Syndicate, an angel network launched by Tracxn, reported VC Circle’s Nishant Sharma. Offering services in Bangalore, LoanZen provides SMEs with unsecured working capital loans against their pending invoices to MNC/listed… Read More