Archive | August, 2013

BlazeFund Launches New Innovative Equity Crowdfunding Platform

20 Aug

Entrepreneurs Gain Alternative Online Equity Crowd Funding Platform From BlazeFund For Securing Growth Capital, Investors Gain Access To Uncorrelated Asset Class

By Robert Hoskins

BlazeFund, Inc. launched a new equity-based crowdfunding platform for accredited investors to find a portfolio of potential investment deals through an online marketplace. The user-friendly platform offers a secure environment and ecosystem that simultaneously connects individual and strategic institutional investors with start-up entrepreneurs and growing private companies.

 Entrepreneurs Gain Alternative Online Equity Crowd Funding Platform From BlazeFund For Securing Growth Capital, Investors Gain Access To Uncorrelated Asset Class


Entrepreneurs Gain Alternative Online Equity Crowd Funding Platform From BlazeFund For Securing Growth Capital, Investors Gain Access To Uncorrelated Asset Class

BlazeFund’s platform focuses on listing ventures in technology, business services and healthcare/life sciences. These companies are beyond the seed stage and have proven business models, products and markets. Most of the venture listings will target a minimum average capital raise of $0.5M.

BlazeFund is the first equity crowd funding portal with multiple international offices located in developing economic regions. As a result, start-ups and growing private companies listed on BlazeFund receive greater exposure for their listings. BlazeFund also assists companies interested in potential cross-border joint ventures.

Aaron Sanders, founder and CEO of BlazeFund, believes that the portal delivers an added value to each of the three groups – entrepreneurs, institutions and investors that are connected to the platform. “Our mission is to help extraordinary entrepreneurs find the capital they need to grow their businesses from our private network of strategic investors. The end goal is to make the overall process more efficient and transparent for both investors and companies,” states Sanders.

BlazeFund’s portal has patent-pending features that reduce investor risk by:

  • Providing a two-step investment mechanism that splits the investment exposure of the crowd and links the release of raised capital to a company achieving predetermined milestones.
  • Facilitating private-equity/venture-capital style due diligence by the crowd/analysts, enabling potential investors to access independent reviews.

With equity crowd funding growing rapidly and market size projections of $6.3B over the next five years, Sanders believes that, “Investors can easily diversify a small percentage of their portfolios through this new investment class which has the potential to produce significant returns — perhaps multiples of their original investment.”

Mr. Sanders has a BS Chem. E. (Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison) and an MBA (Univ. of Rochester). His expertise is in strategy, operations, business process, CRM and ecommerce solutions. Sanders has been granted a number of US patents and is co-inventor of BlazeFund’s patent-pending innovations.

# # #

Advertisement

eBeggars.com Launches Crowdfunding Platform to Help with Medical Bills, College Debt, Personal Finances or Mortgage Payments

18 Aug

eBeggars.com is a microfunding site used by those looking to raise money for themselves or a specific cause

By Robert Hoskins

eBeggars.com is a microfunding site used by those looking to raise money for themselves or a specific cause. The practice, also known as online begging, allows users to participate in the online version of traditional begging or panhandling, by asking strangers for money to meet needs and even wants. These can range from basic food and shelter to insurance bills, college debt, personal finances and nice gifts. The platform provides an easy way for members to ask others for financial help while keeping pride intact.

eBeggars.com Launches Crowdfunding Platform to Help with Medical Bills, College Debt, Personal Finances or Mortgage Payments

eBeggars.com Launches Crowdfunding Platform to Help with Medical Bills, College Debt, Personal Finances or Mortgage Payments

Free membership signup allows users to begin posting unique and compelling stories or causes for donations. If an entry seems like it warrants sympathy, support or a donation, users can click on the thumbs up button. Those that are not convincing enough may receive a thumbs down vote. If fellow users find the story intriguing and genuine enough, they can process donations via PayPal. eBeggars does not take a commission or charge members fees. All posts, payment processes and usage on the site is free. Any and all payment from donors are sent directly to the recipient’s PayPal account.

Jay Abraham, the founder of eBeggars.com states, “We are thrilled to have accomplished this milestone and look forward to continuing to support those in need. Initially this was created as hobby site, but it turned out to a real help for a lot of people when they really need help and support.”

Requests on the site consist of pleas from students responsible for younger siblings that are in financial crisis, parents in unfortunate situations, individuals still burdened by the effects of a crippled economy, those ineligible for financial aid and even victims of unavoidable natural disasters.

eBeggars has made it possible for anyone to receive money simply by sharing a compelling story and asking strangers for help. Cyberbegging has proven to be yet another way to gain financial assistance in hopes of becoming debt free, to purchase basic necessities or to reach a personal financial goal.

# # #

Crowdfunding Industry Drills Its First Oil and Gas CrowdFunding Platform in Houston

16 Aug

Accredited Investors Can Now Shop for Texas Oil and Gas Investment Opportunities in Texas on eOilBoom.com

By Robert Hoskins

eOilBoom.com, the first Oil & Gas CrowdFunding platform has officially launched at Summer NAPE in Houston, Texas. eOilBoom.com’s proprietary and patented pending platform pairs oil & gas deals with accredited investors. The entire process from the due diligence of a deal to completing the transaction will take place on eOilBoom.com’s funding platform.

Crowdfunding Industry Drills Its First Oil and Gas CrowdFunding Platform in Houston

Crowdfunding Industry Drills Its First Oil and Gas CrowdFunding Platform in Houston

“We finally have created a platform where the masses have the opportunity to invest in an alternative investment such as oil and gas instead of continuing to only invest in the traditional volatile stock market. eOilBoom.com’s oil and gas deals can potentially provide larger and more stable rewards for our investors,” says Rodney D. Giles, CEO of eOilBoom.com.

eOilBoom.com states they have been working for months with their in house development team and outside legal counsel on figuring out the right method to make this platform work correctly. Giles goes on to say, “Our platform is unique because typically an investor is only able to buy into an ownership of a holding company such as a LLC or LP, with our funding platform, our investors will have direct ownership through a working interest in a lease or through a direct mineral or royalty ownership.”

“We understand each investor has a different risk tolerance and with eOilBoom.com we provide both drilling prospects as well as long life production deals providing investor a wide variety of investment choice based on the investor’s risk profile,” says Giles.

Furthermore, eOilBoom.com choose Summer NAPE in Houston, TX, the premier oil & gas trade show to showcase its platform. eOilBoom.com is giving away a Royalty in a producing oil & gas well for anyone who registers for free at their booth.

Lead by serial entrepreneur Rodney D. Giles, eOilBoom.com is the first online Oil & Gas CrowdFunding platform that enables accredited investors to get direct access to a vast array of Oil & Gas Deals from multiple operators. eOilBoom.com has innovated a unique proprietary and patented pending platform that enables multiple buyers to purchase a single property and receive their direct proportionate share of the ownership.

GiveForward Announces Strategic Crowdfunding Partnership for Medical Bills with WhatNext

15 Aug

New Alliance Paves Way for Cancer Patients to Raise Money for Medical Bills

By Robert Hoskins

GiveForward, a crowdfunding leader helping families and friends raise money for a loved one’s medical bills, is pleased to announce a new partnership with WhatNext, an online cancer support network that connects those effected by cancer to highly relevant peers, resources and information.

GiveForward will help you change someone's world

GiveForward will help you change someone’s world

“Our mission is to ‘Create Unexpected Joy’ for families by giving them a place to rally together and support their loved ones during times of medical crisis,” said Desiree Vargas Wrigley, CEO of GiveForward. “Through this partnership, we hope to help cancer patients raise money for their medical bills while supplementing the incredible support they receive through WhatNext’s community.”

GiveForward will be an additional resource for WhatNext’s members, providing emotional support and financial education on how to raise money to meet the high cost of a cancer diagnosis.

“At WhatNext, we aim to provide our members with valuable resources during their fight against cancer,” said David Wasilewski, CEO and Founder of WhatNext. “Our constituents often ask about how to finance their treatment, and through our partnership with GiveForward we can now give them another effective option.”

According to a Duke University study, the average out-of-pocket cost for cancer patients with health insurance is $8,500 per year. This partnership comes at a time when health care is unaffordable for many Americans, and those patients and families affected by cancer now have a viable solution to substantial medical costs should they occur.

GiveForward is the leading crowdfunding site focused on helping families and friends raise money to help offset a loved one’s medical bills. Co-founded in 2008 by Desiree Vargas Wrigley and Ethan Austin, GiveForward has raised over 53 million dollars and helped thousands of families across the country. WhatNext is the premiere online community for cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers looking to connect with peers and access highly relevant resources and information.

# # #

CareerFuel Launches Crowdfunding Education Site For Entrepreneurs

15 Aug

On September 23, 2013, entrepreneurs will have a new way to reach accredited investors with private offerings—advertising.

By Robert Hoskins

Stemming from Title II of The JOBS Act and the recent regulations released by the SEC to support it, this is intended to make it easier for entrepreneurs to raise capital for their new businesses and create jobs in the process.

According to CareerFuel it will now be easier then ever before to raise capital for new businesses.

According to CareerFuel it will now be easier then ever before to raise capital for new businesses.

There are approximately 8.6 million accredited investors in the U.S. and they fund 3% of startups/small businesses. During 2012, an estimated 260,160 angels collectively invested $22.9 billion in 67,000 companies. An additional $26.5 billion was invested by venture capitalists in 3,698 companies. Advertising to these wealthy individuals has the potential to significantly expand the market of accredited investor small business capital.

Later this year, it is anticipated that the SEC will release the rules for Title III of The JOBS Act, enabling entrepreneurs to offer securities (debt or equity) to unaccredited investors in exchange for investment in their early-stage companies.

This new fundraising tool known as equity crowdfunding comes with a myriad of regulations that will have to be met. While potentially transformative for entrepreneurs, it is one of many ways available to raise money for new businesses. The primary options today include: personal savings, friends and family, donation crowdfunding, angel investment, venture capital and institutional investment.

To educate entrepreneurs about this exciting option—how it works, whether it is a good fit for their business and how to utilize it—CareerFuel has launched a comprehensive crowdfunding site for entrepreneurs. Free for their use and regularly updated, CareerFuel is the go-to place for the crowdfunding education “issuers” will need.

CareerFuel is one of the only sites that offers job seekers and aspiring entrepreneurs the direction, inspiration and job listings needed to find a job or start a business.

# # #

Need a Tax Deduction? Commit an Act of Random Crowdfunding to Promote Social Good on CrowdItForward.com

15 Aug

Crowd It Forward creates “Random Acts of Crowdfunding” for those in need, those who deserve it, and those who perform random acts of kindness to others

By Robert Hoskins

Crowd It Forward, a crowdfunding website owned and operated by the ClickStartMe Foundation, Inc., launched today. Crowd It Forward is a 501(c)(3) organization that accepts tax deductible donations and creates “Random Acts of Crowdfunding” for those in need, those who deserve it, and those who perform random acts of kindness to others.

Crowd It Forward creates “Random Acts of Crowdfunding” for those in need, those who deserve it, and those who perform random acts of kindness to others

Crowd It Forward creates “Random Acts of Crowdfunding” for those in need, those who deserve it, and those who perform random acts of kindness to others

“We are excited to extend the ClickStartMe brand with Crowd It Forward,” founder and crowdfunding expert Kendall Almerico said. “With our Random Acts of Crowdfunding, we can find people who need or deserve something good to happen to them, and we can make it happen through crowd funding.”

Crowd It Forward launched with two crowdfunding projects. The first involves raising funds for U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Myles Kerr, whose recent viral story touched the hearts of millions as he helped a nine year-old boy find his lost companions while running a 5K race. Crowd It Forward is raising funds for LCpl Kerr to send him and a companion to another 5K race of his choice, and to purchase the Marine a new pair of running shoes. Tax deductible donations for this project may be made here at Crowd It Forward.

The second Random Act of Crowdfunding involves Chelesa Fearce, an inspiring young woman who graduated as her high school’s valedictorian despite being homeless. Crowd It Forward is raising funds to help Chelesa with her ongoing educational expenses. Tax-deductible donations for this crowdfunding project may be made here at Crowd It Forward.

“Launching Crowd It Forward by helping LCpl Kerr and Chelesa Fearce truly illustrates what we are all about,” founder and crowd funding expert Kendall Almerico said. “We want to spread the word about positive news stories, and also to reward those who deserve to be rewarded, but would never ask for it themselves.”

CrowdItForward.com is a crowdfunding website owned and operated by the ClickStartMe Foundation, Inc. Crowd It Forward is a 501(c)(3) organization that accepts tax deductible donations and creates “Random Acts of Crowdfunding” for those in need, those who deserve it, and those who perform random acts of kindness to others. All donations to crowdfunding projects on Crowd it Forward are tax deductible.

# # #

Movie Stars, Rock Stars and Celebrities Can Now Use their Star Power for Social Good on CelebrityCrowdfunding.com

14 Aug

Need a Star for Your Next Crowdfunding Campaign? That is One of the Perks for Launching on CelebrityCrowdfunding .com

By Robert HoskinsFront Page Public Relations

CelebrityCrowdfunding.com developed to showcase campaigns for or by celebrities is also offering Complimentary Celebrity-led disaster relief and charity Crowdfunding fundraisers and more. The website is now in the process of raising funds for marketing and promotions.

Crowdfunding is now the “go-to” source for raising capital for Celebrities and those with STAR Status.

Crowdfunding is now the “go-to” source for raising capital for Celebrities and those with STAR Status.

Prior to Crowdfunding and websites like Kickstarter and Indegogo you had to have your own funds or good credit, a job and a business plan if going to a bank for money. Then if approved have to worry about being successful enough to pay back your brand new Company’s brand new debt. With Crowdfunding anyone can raise the funds needed for any idea or cause. Based on the popular growing trend for Celebrities to Crowd Fund, launching the first official “Celebrity Targeted” platform is a great idea.

Celebrities are using their Star Status to their advantage and are Crowdfunding and asking fans to make donations towards their personal ventures or favorite causes. James Franco recently launched an Indegogo campaign to fund three individual films and is seeking 500K. Joining other celebrities to Crowd Fund Kristen Bell, who successful campaign raked in a record-breaking $5.7 million on the Kickstarter campaign for the Veronica Mars movie. Zach Braff also successfully completed a $3M dollar campaign on Kickstarter.com.

FundAnything now features its first celebrity campaign with comedian Adam Carolla who is Crowdfunding his next movie, titled “Road Hard.”

When asked about deciding on which platform to run his Crowdfunding campaign. “It was a no-brainer” said Luis Sevilla, Owner of CelebrityCrowdfunding.com. “ While Fund Anything recently launched only two months ago, it was started by Learning Annex-founder Mr. Bill Zanker and is backed by the rich and famous Mr. Donald Trump. The incentive being that Mr. Trump has promised to promote selected campaigns through his Twitter account. As well as personally contributing to one or more projects that strike his fancy. Since the two portals visions are like-minded I believe FundAnyting is the most obvious portal.”

Despite the fact that the domain name CelebrityCrowdfunding.com is the best-suited name for the Celebrities Crowdfunding on the Internet the website still faces the same challenges of any new start-up. Including being an unknown and the lack of a huge marketing budget.

However the website is counting on its “out-of-box” and “not-to-be-seen” anywhere else in the Crowdfundiing industry content, features and programs to entice and persuade celebrities, fans and backers to visit and make use of the website.

Some of the website’s list of benefits or rewards called perks you will find:

  1. Pay-IT-Forward Program that “Gives Back” To Celebrity Backers!
  2. Complimentary Campaign Summary Reviews and Press Releases
  3. Celebrity “Crowd Booking” Crowd Fund & Book a Celebrity for Your Next Event
  4. Celebrity Campaign Rewards and Incentive Perks
  5. Celebrity Group or Private Chat
  6. Celebrity Cam 2 Cam
  7. Campaigns Built-in Digital Downloads
  8. On-site Celebrity Charity Auctions, Classifieds and more

Only on CelebrityCrowdfunding.com Celebrity Specific Categories:

  • Celebrity Do-Gooder – Celebrities Star Power rallies up fans to donate to their favorite charity or cause.
  • Stop The Violence – Celebrity-led campaigns to raise funds for families of those who have lost their lives behind senseless violence. As well as campaigns to raise awareness and to take actions to stop it.
  • Hope, Prayer and a Celebrity! – Request a celebrity to sponsor your campaigns or make a partial or full donation.
  • Secret Celebrity Fundraiser – Celebrity invite only fundraiser.
  • Celebrity Dare – Celebrities daring Celebrities to do something daring for a cause or for fun

The website is climbing up daily on search engines and the only thing missing America is the funds to spread the word to let celebrities, their fans and others know about it. Hopefully we can all team up together to help make a difference in the world!

# # #

iFunding.co Launches RealEstate Crowdfunding Platform to Help Accredited Investors overcome the Volatility of REIT Investments

14 Aug

Real Estate Crowdfunding Platform Allows Individuals To Invest in Quality Real Estate Deals in New York

By Robert Hoskins

iFunding.co launches commercial real estate crowdfunding platform based in New York City.  To date, investors have pledged over $8MM towards the first projects to be listed on the platform this month, making it the one the largest real estate platforms in the US.  iFunding is geared for accredited investors and provides more than just another kind of investment option for their clients. They boast a fully online platform for making direct investments in real estate, allowing clients to review projects, fund investments and track them via computer, smartphone or iPad.

iFunding is a real estate investment platform that uses technology to make private real estate investing simple. Individual investors can select and make direct investments in pre-vetted institutional quality real estate assets directly on our website.

iFunding is a real estate investment platform that uses technology to make private real estate investing simple. Individual investors can select and make direct investments in pre-vetted institutional quality real estate assets directly on our website.

The electronic investment system claims to make iFunding a paper-free company. That’s right – all forms are digital. Investors will enjoy the convenience of iFunding’s state of the art technology while maintaining the ability to access institutional quality real estate investment opportunities for as little as $1,000.

The platform is geared toward accredited investors in the $1-5m range who lack access to private equity funds and may be frustrated with the volatility of REIT’s. The company focuses on assets that provide long term, stable income streams for their clients.

While truly online investing is reason enough to celebrate, there’s even more to embrace. iFunding has a team of professionals who have over 50 years’ experience in this field. They have worked with some of the largest corporations, such as JP Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, and have been involved in over $2 Billion of transactions in numerous different roles. Their expertise and dedication in investing translates into professionalism and knowledge that is second to none.

William Skelley, founder of iFunding, shared in a recent interview that the idea for the company came to him from while working at the hedge fund Rose Park Advisors, a fund run by Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen, that focuses on making investments in companies that fit the framework of disruptive innovation. Mr. Skelley realized that real estate finance was a prime target to be disrupted, harnessing technology to simplify the investment process and make it extremely efficient.

Mr. Skelley had this to say about his company, “Our goal at iFunding is to utilize technology to streamline the process for our real estate investors. We prepackage everything to present the investor with a turnkey investment opportunity – we have in-house counsel, accountants and additional intellectual capital at no cost to the client. We do the legwork so our clients don’t have to. iFunding offers them the efficiency they want with the expertise and results they deserve.”

iFunding is a real estate investment platform that uses technology to make private real estate investing simple. Accredited investors can select and make direct investments in pre-vetted institutional quality real estate assets directly on their website.

# # #

Orlando Realtor Creates Down Payment Crowdfunding Site HomeFunded.com

13 Aug

The innovation of Crowdfunding has helped people raise money for everything from business startups to inventions to movies but never before in the form of down payment funds to be used to purchase a home

By Robert HoskinsFront Page Public Relations

When an Orlando Realtor presented his client’s offer for $30,000 over asking price in order to compete with private investors and hedge funds using all cash to buy a home, he never knew that the idea he had that day would become a reality. Now the local Realtor is making his way into the crowdfunding industry to help potential homeowners raise the down payment needed to buy a home with HomeFunded.com.

First Home Down Payment Crowdfunding Site, Provides Hope to Potential Home Buyers

First Home Down Payment Crowdfunding Site, Provides Hope to Potential Home Buyers

“Who would have thought that on a day when a client had to offer $30,000 over the asking price just to get an accepted offer would also bring hope for potential home buyers” states Realtor Aaron Mighty. He has started what many would have thought unlikely in the current improving housing market, an opportunity for those with less resources, building a crowdfunding site from the ground up all on the simple premise that home buyers should come first not hedge funds.

Not only will HomeFunded.com provide qualified home buyers an opportunity to put down more on a home to compete against hedge funds, who seemingly are buying up every quality home on the market for rental purposes, but it will also open up more opportunities for homeownership to working class families who have been struggling to bridge the gap between renting and owning.

HomeFunded.com will work by bringing together home buyers who will start a down payment campaign by sharing their stories of what homeownership means to them with their social network via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and the HomeFunded.com community to attract contributors who will gift funds in increments of five dollars to help them reach their down payment goals.

So will HomeFunded.com change the way home buyers look at down payments? Only time will tell if the concept is viable but the idea is certainly innovative and “the future of the American dream of homeownership has never been brighter” says Mighty.

Search for Crowdfunding Jobs on the Crowdfunding Press Center’s New Crowdfunding Career Center Job Board

1 Aug

Search for New Crowdfunding Job Openings/Post Free Crowdfunding Career Help Wanted Advertisements

The Crowdfunding Press Center has now opened a Crowdfunding Career Center Job Board to provide a place for Crowdfunding sites and platforms to begin posting job openings as the Crowdfunding industry grows.

Advisory Board of Crowdfunding Experts

For example, please consider joining the Crowdfunding Press Center’s Advisory Board of Crowdfunding Experts, which is now actively seeking to fill the Crowdfunding positions listed below.  Click here to submit your 30-second business pitch.

  1. New Business Development Director
  2. Public Relations Director
  3. Media Relations Director
  4. Investor Relations Director
  5. Industry Analyst Relations Director
  6. Fundraising Campaign Director
  7. Crowdfunding Escrow Director
  8. Broker/Dealer Director
  9. Crowdfunding Campaign Director
  10. Perks/Promotional Items Director
  11. SEC Compliance Director
  12. Social Media Director
  13. SEO Digital Content Director
  14. Database Marketing Director
  15. Financial Data Mining Director
  16. Information Technology Director
  17. Legal Counsel Director
  18. Human Resources Director

Related Crowdfunding News Articles:

%d bloggers like this: