Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding platforms can be grouped under four categories: donations, mainly applicable to charitable giving; rewards, where the venture seeking funds offers something in return for the money pledged; equity, where the supporter acquires a shareholding in the business; and peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, where the ‘crowd’ can lend funds more quickly and at more competitive rates than institutional lenders. There are also more specialist forms of ‘alternative finance’ usually based on lending, including invoice financing, and supply chain financing.

However, the crowdfunding sector is complex, and rapidly growing. A reliable guide to the wide range of funding available is given on the Nesta-operated website www.crowdingin.com. We have included here just a few examples of crowdfunding platforms which have hosted successful campaigns by Scottish companies.

In principle, being web-based, crowdfunding platforms can operate independently of their location, but readers of this Guide might wish to look at those based in Scotland: Bloom VC, ShareIn, and Squareknot.

Asset Match

London
Contact: Ben Weaver
Investments in Scotland: Syntropharma, Veeemotion, BrewDog

Equity-based
Tel: 020 724 82788

BnkToTheFuture

Hong Kong
Contact: Simon Dixon
Investments in Scotland: Mr C's Bar

Equity-based

Bloom VC

Glasgow
Contact: Amanda Boyle
Investments in Scotland: The Ecosse Candle Company, Bonnie Bling

Reward-based
Tel: 0845 2696 296

Crowdcube

Edinburgh
Contact: Craig McKenna
Invests from £10k to £150k (flexible)
Investments in Scotland: Bellfield Brewers, Growler Beers, Flavourly, CHOC+, Plan Bee

Equity-based
Tel: 0139 224 1319

Funding Circle

London
Contact: David De Koning
Invests from £5k to £1m
P2P
Tel: 020 7401 9231

Kickstarter

New York, USA
Contact: Yancey Strickler
Investments in Scotland: LiveCode, Namisu, Strathberry, Instrmnt 01, Minimal Wallet

Reward-based

Crowdcube

London

IndieGogo

California, USA
Investments in Scotland: Tens, Tipple Box

Reward-based

MarketInvoice

London
Contact: Ari Last
Invoice finance
Tel: 0845 548 0508

Seedrs

London
Contact: Carlos Silva
Invests from £10k to £1m+
Investments in Scotland: FreeAgent, Find a Player

Equity-based

ShareIn

Edinburgh
Contact: Jude Cook
Invests from £40k to £1m
Investments in Scotland: Reminova, Parkure, Holoxica

Equity-based
Tel: 0131 641 0018

Squareknot

Glasgow
Contact: Derek Bond
Invests from £30k to £250k (flexible)
Investments in Scotland: Hermes Apps, LetPal

Equity-based
Tel: 07717 432091

Lending Crowd

Edinburgh
Contact: Fraser Lusty
Invests from £5k to £250k
Investments in Scotland: Tag Games

P2P
Tel: 0131 564 1600

Syndicate Room

Cambridge
Contact: James Sore
Investments in Scotland: Ambicare Health

Equity-based
Tel: 0122 347 8558