Global Conference: Crowdfunding for Start Ups and Small Business

Crowdfunding for Start-Ups and Small Business

Speakers:

Chris Brummer, Senior Fellow, Milken Institute; Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center
Candace Klein, Founder and CEO, SoMoLend
Benjamin Miller, Co-Founder, Fundrise
Babak Nivi, Co-Founder and President, AngelList
Danae Ringelmann, Co-Founder, Indiegogo

Moderator:
Daniel Gorfine, Director, Financial Markets Policy, and Legal Counsel, Milken Institute

The concept of crowdfunding, seen as the next phase in the democratization of finance, has captured the attention of investors, entrepreneurs, technologists and the media. It can be defined as a means of raising capital for a project or enterprise through the pooling of numerous, small contributions or investments from the public, usually via the Internet. Last year, entrepreneurs around the world raised an estimated $2.8 billion through crowdfunding. The bipartisan Jumpstart Our Business Startups(JOBS) Act, passed in the U.S. in 2012, seeks to open the market for securities crowdfunding, enabling average investors to purchase debt and equity in enterprises ranging from startup companies and mom and pop shops to real estate. Additionally, the law lifts the ban on general solicitation, allowing companies to mass market securities to accredited investors, which could spur a sea change in capital raising. Join us for a discussion about maximizing the promise of crowdfunding while minimizing risks to investors and entrepreneurs.