THE WORLD’S BIGGEST EQUITY CROWDFUNDING PLATFORM HAS 60,000 REGISTERED MEMBERS

Crowdcube, the world’s first equity crowdfunding platform, celebrates its third birthday this month. Since it launched in 2011, the company has raised over £19.9 million for 103 start-ups as well as small and growing businesses. These companies are set to boost the British economy with the creation of around 1900 new jobs over the next three years, and some fast-growth businesses are contributing to Britain’s exports, supporting the Chancellor’s challenge to double Britain’s exports to £1 trillion by the end of the year.

Crowdcube was the world’s first crowdfunding platform to offer shares to investors.

Funding now totals nearly £20 million with over 60,000 registered members, making it the biggest equity crowdfunding website on the planet.

 In addition, the following interesting facts have emerged from analysis of Crowdcube’s active investors:

• 25% are female, which contrasts strongly with the 3% of women who use traditional angel networks.
• 53% want some kind of role in the business they invest in. Most work in sales and marketing or finance and so have business expertise to offer the entrepreneur.
• 40% of members see themselves as both investor and entrepreneur, again showing the business insight available.
• 65% of investors live in London.

Darren Westlake, CEO and co-founder comments, “When Luke and I founded Crowdcube equity crowdfunding didn’t exist; now it’s all over the media and is a mainstream source of capital for many businesses. In 2013 we grew 562% on the year before, securing over £12 million for 54 deals which is phenomenal. With over 100 applying to us to seek finance each month, it is clear that Britain is not short of entrepreneurial spirit.”

 Along the way, Crowdcube has established several ‘firsts’ including:

• In September 2013 Kevin McCloud’s Hab Housing broke the world record for equity crowdfunding investment with 649 people putting in £1.95 million.
• Crowdcube was the first to sign up an international partner and now has a presence in seven countries: Brazil, Sweden, Dubai, Poland, Italy, Spain and New Zealand.
• January 2014 saw the launch of the first managed venture fund for crowdfunded equity investments.