Opinion

March 27, 2014 @ 10:34 am By JD Alois  |  

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions. The organization’s members range from mom-and-pop shops and local chambers to large corporations.  The group is really global in… Read More

March 25, 2014 @ 11:57 am By Charles Luzar  |  

Meet Frank Bell. The Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter is trying to blaze a path to success, and for artists like Bell that path increasingly includes crowdfunding. As part of a joint effort between TED and Skype, Bell recently had the chance to ask questions of a panel… Read More

March 24, 2014 @ 6:35 pm By JD Alois  |  

Comments on proposed rules regarding Title IV of the JOBS Act are due today pursuant to the deadline set by the SEC.  Traditionally public comments continue to be posted on proposed rule amendments after the deadline, it is understood the door for comments will be… Read More

March 24, 2014 @ 8:59 am By JD Alois  |  

Luke Lang, co-founder of equity crowdfunding platform Crowdcube commented on the recent closure of start-up business Ovivo Mobile, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) that uses Vodafone’s UK network to provide competitive mobile phone packages: “We’re extremely disappointed that Ovivo Mobile has had to announce… Read More

March 21, 2014 @ 11:00 am By JD Alois  |  

Co-founder of equity crowdfunding platform Crowdcube Luke Lang has commented on the UK budget announcement that occurred earlier this week.  While there were many positive aspects of Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne’s presentation Lang indicated here were some areas that could stand for improvement…. Read More

March 21, 2014 @ 10:04 am By JD Alois  |  

The Equity Crowdfunding Alliance of Canada (ECFA Canada) was only recently formed by individuals and companies determined to see the benefits of equity crowdfunding improve the economy of Canada. These companies and individuals, including funding portals are united in the common purposes of promoting crowdfunding in… Read More

March 19, 2014 @ 11:16 am By JD Alois  |  

Great News for UK Investors. Stuart Law, the founder and CEO of Assetz Capital – one of the fastest growing P2P lenders in the United Kingdom – has commented on the announced change regarding eligibility for P2P lending assets being included in tax free ISA… Read More

March 12, 2014 @ 12:22 pm By Charles Luzar  |  

If you want a case study in how a Kickstarter can go horribly wrong, look no further than the campaign for SOAP, a touchscreen home automation router. The campaign is fully funded despite bleeding almost $4,000 since we caught wind of scam allegations surrounding the campaign… Read More

March 11, 2014 @ 10:33 am By Charles Luzar  |  

In this video Motley Fool analysts David Hanson, Tyler Riggs, and Matt Koppenheffer debate peer-to-peer lending. Interestingly, about halfway through the video the trio begins to discuss Google and Facebook getting into the peer-to-peer lending space. Will they? It bears mentioning that Google Capital is an… Read More

March 10, 2014 @ 11:27 am By Samuel S. Guzik, The Crowdfunding Counselor  |  

Title III of the JOBS Act created an exemption from registration for the offer and sale of so-called “crowdfunded” securities under the Securities Act of 1933, allowing the offer and sale of securities to an unlimited number of unaccredited investors without registration with the SEC,… Read More

March 9, 2014 @ 12:16 pm By Charles Luzar  |  

  Ouya has announced plans to drop their hardware-focused approach to become a software-only platform for Android games. Prognosticators once bullish on the subject of indie gaming consoles are suddenly cooling off. Although I don’t agree with the sudden change of heart, there are lessons… Read More

March 7, 2014 @ 10:07 am By JD Alois  |  

While some crowdfunding industry participants have spoken positively about the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulations released yesterday other interested parties have expressed their chagrin. Barry James, founder of The Crowdfunding Centre, said: “On a day like today one has to wonder whether our FCA is the… Read More

March 6, 2014 @ 9:40 am By JD Alois  |  

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom has released their much anticipated review of regulating the nascent crowdfunding industry.  This includes both the debt and equity categories of crowdfunding. Seedrs, one of the leading equity crowdfunding platforms in the UK, has released their response… Read More

March 5, 2014 @ 10:38 am By Kendall Almerico  |  

A recently Marist-McClatchy poll found that eight out of 10 Americans no longer believe they can achieve the American Dream. Almost the same percentage of those polled said that things will not get better for future generations. The level of pessimism regarding the present economy… Read More

March 4, 2014 @ 9:48 pm By JD Alois  |  

In a comment letter posted to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) web site addressing proposed rule amendments for Regulation A under Title IV of the JOBS Act, Andreessen Horowitz and Cowen and Company clarified their position and support for the proposed changes. Andreessen Horowitz,… Read More

March 4, 2014 @ 11:31 am By Charles Luzar  |  

In an interview with BusinessDay, New Zealand Venture Investment Fund CEO Franceska Banga expressed optimism when asked about the impact equity crowdfunding’s implementation could have on New Zealand startups and the investment community as a whole. The early-stage investment community, and particularly angel networks and… Read More

March 3, 2014 @ 7:20 am By Samuel S. Guzik, The Crowdfunding Counselor  |  

On February 19, 2014, in a missive to the SEC, signed by 18 state securities administrators,  under the letterhead of the North American Securities Administrators Association (“NASAA”), the message was clear: “[we] write to voice our objection to the Commission’s attempt to preempt state authority… Read More

February 28, 2014 @ 10:10 am By Barry E. James  |  

Tens of thousands of new UK jobs and many millions in new investment are riding on UK regulators’ ability to come to grips with a changing economy. With regulators in the US and around the world increasingly coordinating their activities, deadlines and announcements, the implications… Read More

February 27, 2014 @ 4:55 pm By Kiran Lingam  |  

There has been a lot of uproar about new rules requiring additional steps to verify accredited investor status (i.e. checking tax returns) as a condition to using the new 506(c) rules permitting general solicitation. The real problem here is that the definition of accredited investor is out of… Read More

February 27, 2014 @ 7:01 am By Kim Wales  |  

Now that we have seen what real turbulence is with the financial crisis of 2008, fear and panic are drivers of economic behavior. Strengthening the financial markets for America’s small businesses and closing the wealth gap amongst the crowd is a must. Now is not… Read More