Archive: crowdfunding

Note: Our friends at KingsCrowd have fascinating conversations with all kinds of entrepreneurs on their startup investing podcast. In a recent episode, KingsCrowd founder Chris Lustrino spoke with Shari Noonan, CEO and co-founder of Rialto Markets. Rialto provides a secondary market trading platform for buying and selling shares in private companies. Rialto also offers help to startups that are raising money through equity crowdfunding. Since both KingsCrowd and Early Investing share a passion for…
It’s almost Thanksgiving. So in the spirit of giving, we have a treat for Early Investing subscribers. We’re thankful for your support of Early Investing. So while we typically only offer our Crypto Insider videos to…

The Ideal Startup Portfolio Size

By Andy Gordon on September 29, 2021

Most meetings I attend aren’t very exciting. But yesterday’s was fascinating because we discussed one of the most important questions an early investor can ask.  What is the ideal number of companies for a successful startup portfolio?  Many opinions were put forward. So what…
Note: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everything from education to events to healthcare. So it makes sense that it’s impacted the investment landscape too. But while traditional venture capital firms have had to change some of their methods, investing online is nothing new for crowdfunders. So did 2020…
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Startup Insider: Filling the Biopharma Funding Gap

By Early Investing on July 12, 2021

There’s a funding gap in medical research known as the “valley of death.”  When research begins, it’s funded by government grants and nonprofits. But drug research and development is very time-intensive. It typically takes around 10 years to bring a drug to market — and nine…

Why Founders Refuse VC Money

By Andy Gordon on March 31, 2021

Venture capital (VC) investing isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Last week I talked about the many things that crowdfunding does that appeal to founders and investors alike. Today, I’d like to focus more on the VC side of investing. And why…

What VC Gets Wrong About Crowdfunding

By Andy Gordon on March 24, 2021

A tech startup founder was bragging to me about his recent hires a couple of days ago. He found some outstanding people and said that the talent available in 2021 was off the charts.  But it wasn’t just luck or happenstance. The highly experienced people he…
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The Most Interesting Person in Startups: Buck Jordan

By Early Investing on March 22, 2021

Some of you may remember the Dos Equis Most Interesting Man in the World TV commercials. Buck Jordan, the CEO and founder of Wavemaker Labs, is the startup equivalent of the Most Interesting Man in the World. And Andy Gordon and Vin Narayanan interviewed him Friday for this…
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New Pick: Invest in the Future of Capital Formation

By Adam Sharp on March 19, 2021

DEAL DETAILS Startup: Wefunder Security: Preferred Stock Round size: Side-by-side round — up to $5 million under Reg CF Valuation: $160,000,000 Share price: $2.19862 Minimum investment: $100 Investment portal:…
The tech sector is under attack. Lawsuits. Politicians. Regulators. They’re all gunning for the tech industry. But what about the venture capital firms that financed the industry’s growth?  These companies should also command our attention. Their money nurtured big tech companies in their early years. More…
The wrong kind of IPO is getting all the attention these days. And the right kind is being virtually ignored.  The much praised — but highly flawed — special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) is the talk of the town right now. SPACs are shell companies that raise…

WeWork Disaster Shows Crowdfunding’s Advantages

By Andy Gordon on January 6, 2021

Just this week, I came across an intriguing startup investment opportunity. A Philadelphia-based company was offering shared office space for physicians and related medical practices. Doctors — especially those just starting their practices — are often forced to accept expensive and long-term leases. It’s a real problem that…

Why Crowdfunding Is Better Than VC Funds

By Andy Gordon on October 7, 2020

I don’t envy venture capitalists these days. The economics of startup investing are changing. And as of today, crowdfunders like you and me hold a significant edge over VCs.  I know that may seem like a bold claim. Right now, VC investors get all the respect…
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Expanding the Definition of Accredited Investors

By Adam Sharp on September 1, 2020

This week the SEC expanded its definition of “accredited investor” (AI). Now investment professionals — as well as certain other individuals and groups — can qualify without satisfying the SEC’s income or wealth requirements — $200,000 annual income for the last two years…

Grading the SEC’s Proposed Crowdfunding Changes

By Andy Gordon on July 15, 2020

The SEC is about to make a series of modifications to equity crowdfunding regulations. These updates come a little more than four years after it first enabled regular investors like you and me to crowdfund startups.  Back then, the SEC was mostly concerned with protecting investors.

Crowdfunding Keeps Getting Better Four Years In

By Andy Gordon on May 20, 2020

Crowdfunding celebrated its fourth anniversary last week. The SEC greenlit it on May 16, 2016. A year before Regulation Crowdfunding (better known as Reg. CF) began, the SEC began to allow companies to raise funds under Regulation A+ (Reg. A+). But startups needed considerable money and time to comply with…