Duncan Grierson, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Clim8 and Andrew J Scott, Founding Partner at 7percent Ventures, make the case for equity crowdfunding for startups.

In my annual review of my portfolio last month, I focussed on an analysis of what had happened in "normal time" any effects of current, more challenging times, had not yet come through. But what is the risk to companies and to my portfolio strategy and is it worth continuing to invest in this sector? More generally what are the lessons of this stress test for the future?

Clim8 Invest, the app that offers everyone the opportunity to have a positive impact on climate change through sustainable investment, has raised £1.5 million in pre-launch crowdfunding from 1420 investors in over 55 countries. This exceeds its crowdfunding target by more than 300% and makes it one of 2020’s most successful raises on the Crowdcube platform.

GrowthDeck has completed a £650,000 fundraise for Teacher Booker, the online network of high-quality supply teachers and support staff - far exceeding our original £500,000 target.

James Murdoch takes a considered look back over his portfolio performance from the last year and shares his observations on the ups and downs of equity crowdfunding. 

Symvan investee UnderPinned has hit its £500,000 crowdfunding target. The freelance career platform, launched its crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube less than two years after launching and has so far raised just under £1.5 million.  UnderPinned provides freelancers with a one-stop career management platform, covering everything from building a portfolio and creating watertight contracts to automating invoices and payments. Members are also granted access to partner services through Open Banking, including Digital Risks, which offers self-employed insurance and 24/7 legal counsel.

James Murdoch looks at whether Convertibles benefit the founders or the investors in Equity Crowdfunding.

Space Talos, a specialist in space radiation technology, has signed up to the national SPRINT business support programme to provide funded access to space testing facilities and expertise from the University of Southampton. The SPRINT project will enable Space Talos to validate the development of new technology for shielding sensitive equipment from radiation in space.

The brand is set to utilise the funding to expand its offering, which includes becoming omnichannel, selling worldwide and creating a community for those who wish to travel responsibly. 

Scotland’s leading female-founded, organic and sustainable whisky distillery, Nc’nean, has successfully raised more than £1.7m in a new funding round from both a crowdfunding campaign and private investors to help accelerate its current growth plans.

The innovative whisky distillery exceeded its funding target in little over a week after launching the campaign on investment platform Seedrs. Further funding was injected from existing and new private investors, bringing the total funding to over £1.7m.

In his latest article for AngelNews, James Murdoch discusses reasonable investor expectations of equity crowdfunding platforms responsibility for disclosure  and managing investments.

HISBE Food CIC, a social enterprise and sustainable supermarket, has now raised its full target of £450,000  through an investment crowdfunding campaign on the Triodos Crowdfunding platform. HISBE’s mission is to transform the food industry, by reinventing the way supermarkets do business.