SEC Issues Three-Year Research Study on Title III, Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) Fundraising Campaigns

Leading Crowdfunding Industry Analyst Firm, Crowdfund Capital Advisors, States Now is the Time to Update the Regulation to Further Enable Capital Formation

Washington, DC – Recently the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published a staff report on Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF), also known as Title III Crowdfunding. The Commission, in the adopting rules, stated that the “staff will undertake to study and submit a research report to the Commission no later than three years following the effective date of Regulation Crowdfunding on the impact of the regulation on capital formation and investor protection.” The report finds the size of market, while modest in comparison to the broader financial markets, is evolving and doing so without any material risk to investors. Crowdfund Capital Advisors (CCA) data and analysis were cited in 7 references throughout the report.

“The industry is evolving systematically and responsibly,” says CCA Principal Sherwood Neiss. “With the appropriate adjustments to the regulation we can further enable capital formation without risk to investors. The time is now for the SEC to act.”

Sherwood Neiss, Crowdfunding Capital Advisors, testifies at the SEC The CCA data and references used by the SEC were attributed to analysis by CCA and published in VentureBeat as well as Crowdfund Insider. The data comes from CCA’s CCLEAR Database. CCLEAR is the leading Regulation Crowdfunding database that collects, cleans, aggregates and reports on all companies seeking funds via Regulation Crowdfunding as well as those doing parallel 506(c) offerings. A 506(c) offering is an online accredited investor offering. A parallel offering allows an issuer to run two offerings side-by-side and group the accredited investors in one pool and the Reg CF investors in another. This type of offering is popular for issuers that seek to raise in excess of the $1.07M cap in Regulation Crowdfunding. Issuers that seek to raise funds via Reg CF must file a Form C (a form filed by a company (issuer) with the SEC before starting to raise capital and discloses financial information for its current and prior fiscal years) as well as a Form C-U (a progress report that an issuer files that discloses total capital raised). Data that the SEC does not collect in either of these disclosures includes information like industry, a breakdown on the cost of the offering, daily change in capital commitments, daily changes in investors and information on a company’s valuation. CCLEAR collects all this missing data which allows for more detailed analysis of the market including which industries are most popular with the crowd, which regions of the country have the lowest/highest overall valuations, what industries the crowd is most interested in supporting, etc. An entire section of the report titled “Cost to issuers of undertaking a crowdfunding offering” came directly from research CCA did with issuers successful with Regulation Crowdfunding. A key finding from our research, which was highlighted in the report, was that “the total cost of creating a campaign page, issuer disclosures, film, and video, and hiring a marketing firm, a lawyer, and an accountant amounts to approximately 5.3% of the amount raised.” This average was based on feedback from 81 issuers. “This amount is substantially less than what a typical issuer would incur in a Regulation D offering,” says CCA principal Sherwood Neiss “and is a key reason why more companies should be looking at Reg CF as an attractive pathway to raising funds.” The report provides a detailed look at how Regulation Crowdfunding has performed through December, 2018. (For people interested in data through today’s date, you can find it on CCLEAR’s Daily Dashboard – see below for the latest data).

“Unlike opponents who said regulated crowdfunding would open the floodgates to fraud, we have yet to see fraud materialize,” says Neiss. “This is because there are easier ways to defraud investors than to come up with an idea for a business, incorporate it under federal laws, convince a funding portal to list you, spend hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars trying to bring your friends, family and followers to the campaign page, and then hitting 100% of your funding target or the commitments get returned. Add on top of this the hundreds of discerning eyes picking apart a campaign in the comments section. These types of ‘built-in investor protections don’t exist in other parts of the private capital markets.” Multiple recommendations were included in the report on how to improve Regulation Crowdfunding. The SEC cited a US treasury Report entitled “A Financial System That Creates Economic Opportunities.” The Report recommends: Allowing single-purpose crowdfunding vehicles advised by a registered investment adviser; Waiving certain crowdfunding offering limits for accredited investors; Amending certain crowdfunding investment limits by other investors; Modifying the Exchange Act’s Section 12(g) exemption; And increasing the limit on how much can be raised through crowdfunding from $1M to $5M. CCA’s principals were interviewed and cited in the Treasury report. The Fed’s recommendations were a summary of CCA’s more detailed recommendations as requested. “The industry is evolving systematically and responsibly,” ended Neiss. “With the appropriate adjustments to the regulation we can further enable capital formation without risk to investors. The time is now for the SEC to act.” # # #

Robert Hoskins
(512) 627-6622
@Crowdfunding_PR

---

Mr. Robert Hoskins is a seasoned marketing veteran with a proven track record of helping entrepreneurs, startups, small businesses as well as Fortune 500 corporations launch successful marketing communications campaigns to gain market traction for a wide variety of products and services.

On a regular basis, Mr. Hoskins consults with crowdfunding campaign managers as well as crowdfunding sites, portals and platforms to deliver successful crowdfunding marketing campaigns.

Google search “Robert Hoskins Crowdfunding PR” to see why Mr. Hoskins is considered one of the industry’s foremost crowdfunding experts that has amassed a huge social media following, which is dedicated to supporting donation-, rewards- and equity-based crowdfunding campaigns.

Advertisements

Rocket Bottle Plus Launches Mobile Smoothies / Margaritas Blender/Shaker Machine via Upcoming Kickstarter Crowdfunding Campaign

Crowdfunders can make blended drinks such as smoothies, margaritas, or protein shakes on the go, which is perfect for the beach, floating on the river, camping, road trips, gyms, or tailgating at the game

By Robert Hoskins, Crowdfunding PR

Orlando, FL – The Rocket Bottle Plus plans to take the blending world by storm and is planning the launch of a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to support its fundraising effort to fund the development and manufacturing of the new innovative portable, rechargeable blender to make blended drinks such as smoothies, protein shakes or margaritas anywhere in the world.

Crowdfunders can make blended drinks such as margaritas, smoothies, or protein shakes on the go, which is perfect for the beach, floating on the river, camping, road trips, gyms, or tailgating at the game

Rocket Bottle Plus Inventor

In August of 2015, Archie Askie inventor of Rocket Bottle Plus was stationed in Afghanistan and needed a suitable device to mix his protein drinks. With limited resources, it was nearly an impossible task to find the right blender that was portable, lightweight, and easy-to-use. Archie recognized this problem and being a warrior by body, and innovator by mind, formulated the perfect device to suit his nutritional needs. This device was named the Rocket Bottle Plus.

Rocket Bottle Plus Multiple Uses

The Rocket Bottle Plus is designed to let the user make blended drinks such as margaritas, smoothies, or protein shakes on the go. The Rocket Bottle Plus is perfect for the beach, camping, road trips, gym, or tailgating for the big game because unlike traditional blenders it doesn’t require an outlet to operate. Simply charge the Rocket Bottle Plus and use it whenever you are ready to make your favorite blended drinks.

Rocket Bottle Plus Features

The Rocket Bottle Plus sports a sleek design that is aesthetically pleasing and functional. Its rechargeable motor spins 6 blades at a baffling 18,000 RPM, and of course, it is lightweight and portable to make blending on the go a breeze. Other features are below:

• Leak Proof
• Odor and Stain Resistant
• Easy to Clean
• Holds 22oz (650ml)
• 6 blade blending system
• Up to 18,000 RPM
• Rechargeable Batteries (20 blends or 2 hours run time)
• Designed in America

Rocket Bottle Plus is Odor/Stain Resistant

Surveys show that 81% of people own multiple shaker bottles and blenders, and the Rocket Bottle Plus aims to cut that number down to one for everybody. 45% of these owners replace their mixer every 6 months and 75% of these owners experienced a foul odor coming from their shaker or blender.

The Rocket Bottle Plus will be the last blender bottle you will ever need, serving as a mixer that also blends ice, fruits, and vegetables. With its odor and stain resistant design, you will be able to drink in comfort without the foul smell of previous mixes.

Overall, the Rocket Bottle Plus will eliminate the need for fragile shaker bottles and bulky blenders leaving you with more money in your pocket to buy more nutritional supplements, take a vacation, and/or spend quality time with your loved ones.

The Rocket Bottle Plus is poised to take the blending and nutritional world by storm at an affordable price. Rocket Bottle, LLC is allowing early supporters to take advantage and is offering exclusive prices and rewards via his Kickstarter campaign that is coming soon.

Sign up for the Rocket Bottle’s newsletter here https://www.rocketbottleplus.com/ to receive $20 off your first purchase.

# # #

Robert Hoskins
(512) 627-6622
@Crowdfunding_PR

---

Mr. Robert Hoskins is a seasoned marketing veteran with a proven track record of helping entrepreneurs, startups, small businesses as well as Fortune 500 corporations launch successful marketing communications campaigns to gain market traction for a wide variety of products and services.

On a regular basis, Mr. Hoskins consults with crowdfunding campaign managers as well as crowdfunding sites, portals and platforms to deliver successful crowdfunding marketing campaigns.

Google search “Robert Hoskins Crowdfunding PR” to see why Mr. Hoskins runs one of the industry’s foremost crowdfunding PR, social media and marketing agencies that has amassed a huge social media following and is dedicated to supporting a wide variety of donation, rewards and equity crowdfunding campaigns.

Crowd Cow Opens New Unique “Cow Crowdfunding” Marketplace to Pre-Sell Premium Cuts of Grass Fed Beef to Consumers Nationwide

U.S. consumers can now pre-order the healthiest and best-tasting, sustainably-raised beef from independent ranchers via the world’s only online dry-aged beef crowdfunding platform

By Robert Hoskins

Seattle, Washington – Just in time for Father’s Day and the summer barbeque season, food tech startup Crowd Cow announced that it is now shipping to beef lovers throughout the U.S. The sharing economy’s latest big idea allows consumers to buy portions of an actual cow online with strangers by claiming their favorite cuts, tipping the cow and becoming a “steak holder.” Backed by the likes of NFL great Joe Montana, the founders of Zulily and venture firms such as Fuel Capital and Maveron, Crowd Cow now makes it fun and convenient for consumers nationwide to order from independent farms, and enjoy the great taste and transparency of sustainably-raised beef.

U.S. consumers now have convenient access to the healthiest and best tasting sustainably raised beef from independent ranchers

Whole Cow, Whole Country
Crowd Cow cuts out the middleman to bring sustainably-raised beef direct to consumers, including access to beef that’s hard (if not impossible) to find in stores like grass-finished Black Angus and sought-after varieties like Wagyu — all of it dry-aged and hormone and antibiotic free.

Crowd Cow’s unique whole-cow, independent ranch approach means more transparency for consumers and greater reach for farms. “We hand-select the best producers and bring their beef to consumers everywhere, pairing every shipment with recipes and support. As a result, marrow bones and tongues sell out as quickly as tenderloins and nothing goes to waste,” says co-founder Joe Heitzeberg.

How Crowd Cow Works
Crowd Cow features a particular ranch, detailing their story and practices in a short video and web page. Users select from the cuts of a single animal, choosing as much or as little of the exact cuts they want. When everything is sold, the company ships direct to their door with recipes and a welcome note from the founders.

Food Study Trends and Consumer Reports
The company’s success to-date aligns with growing consumer demand for visibility into where food comes from. According to the Food Revolution Study, 94 percent of consumers say it’s important for brands to be transparent about what is in their food and how it is made. At the same time, a Consumer Reports survey found that 80% of consumers think better living conditions for farm animals is important. By featuring specialty beef producers with each event, and detailing how they feed and treat their animals, Crowd Cow is at the forefront of shifting the beef industry towards a more sustainable model in demand by health-conscious consumers.

Crowd Cow Was Founded by Tech Start Up Veterans
Crowd Cow was founded in 2015 by startup veterans Ethan Lowry (Urbanspoon) and Joe Heitzeberg (Madrona Venture Labs). After hearing a friend brag about how much better beef from independent ranches was, but discovering that it is typically only sold to specialty restaurants, high end butcher shops or in quantities of 300 to 600 pounds at a time, they sought out a better solution.

“Our friend told us we’d need a meat freezer, a pickup truck and a few thousand dollars in cash,” explains Heitzeberg. “Ethan suggested that we utilize crowdfunding to pre-sell cows so 50 people could each purchase 5 to 10 pounds of quality, dry-aged beef.” After emailing 100 friends, the first cow was sold in 24 hours and was delivered in time for July 4th BBQs.

# # #

Robert Hoskins
(512) 627-6622
@Crowdfunding_PR

---

Mr. Robert Hoskins is a seasoned marketing veteran with a proven track record of helping entrepreneurs, startups, small businesses as well as Fortune 500 corporations launch successful marketing communications campaigns to gain market traction for a wide variety of products and services.

On a regular basis, Mr. Hoskins consults with crowdfunding campaign managers as well as crowdfunding sites, portals and platforms to deliver successful crowdfunding marketing campaigns.

Google search “Robert Hoskins Crowdfunding” to see why Mr. Hoskins runs one of the industry’s foremost crowdfunding PR, social media and marketing agencies that has amassed a huge social media following and is dedicated to supporting a wide variety of donation, rewards and equity crowdfunding campaigns.

Cirkul Extends Successful Indiegogo Crowdfunding Campaign for Its New Patented Water Bottle, Which Has Surpassed $130,000

More than 2,700 Contributors have helped raise 656% of the Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign’s goal of raising $20,000 to fund the Cirkul bottle, which allows drinkers to personalize their beverage with interchangeable flavor cartridges to

By Robert Hoskins

Tampa Florida – Cirkul, Inc., developer of transformational hydration products that reimagine how flavored beverages are created, personalized and enjoyed at home and on the go, announced the extension of its hugely successful campaign for the Cirkul water bottle, which allows consumers to customize their flavored water with Cirkul Sip flavored cartridges.

Cirkul Extends Successful Indiegogo Crowdfunding Campaign for Patented Water Bottle with Flavored Cirkul Sips-Surpasses $130,000-to Reduce 250 Billion Water Bottles that Are Discarded Each Year

Founded by former Dartmouth College athletes, Cirkul utilizes single-use flavor cartridges—Cirkul Sips—to bring flavor to water. Once the cartridge is inserted into the top of the Cirkul bottle, water flows from the tilted bottle through the Cirkul Sip, delivering delicious flavor to the user. A one-way valve prevents any flavor from entering the bottle itself—keeping the bottle clean and residue-free. This feature allows the user to change flavor levels at will, from plain to fully flavored water, dialing in their exact flavor sip by sip.

More than 250 billion water bottles are discarded each year around the world, resulting in massive carbon footprints. Cirkul reduces shipment volumes by 99.6% and provides multiple beverage options for users on the go with compact, portable Cirkul Sip cartridges and one Cirkul bottle—saving trips to the grocery store and pantry space. One Cirkul Sip is the equivalent of four 20oz bottles—depending on the flavor intensity setting— and can be swapped out at any time for another flavor or turned off if the user prefers plain water.

“Through our personal experiences as college athletes, we realized the way people consume water was in need of an update,” said Garrett Waggoner, co-founder of Cirkul. “We really wanted to provide a unique experience that allows people to customize their beverages with ease while on the go.”

Features and benefits of Cirkul include: flavor cartridges that insert easily into the top of the bottle allowing users to switch out for a new flavor at any time; a one-way valve that ensures flavor only leaves the cartridge when the user drinks from the bottle; and a dial-in flavor preference that lets users select flavor intensity and change at any time from plain to fully flavored water. The Cirkul bottle offers multiple flavor categories containing vitamins, electrolytes or caffeine, is eco-friendly, BPA-free, leak proof and dishwasher safe. Cirkul is perfect for travel and a healthy option for kids.

The Cirkul LifeSip formula contains vitamins and provides enhanced flavor. It is available in Fruit Punch, Raspberry Lemonade, Coconut Pineapple, and Sweet Tea & Lemon. The Cirkul FitSip formula contains essential electrolytes to replenish those lost during an active lifestyle. It is available in Orange Tangerine and Mixed Berry. The Cirkul GoSip formula contains healthy energy (caffeine, ginseng, taurine) and gives users that extra push during the day. It is available in Black Cherry and Strawberry Watermelon. Stevia and unsweetened options are also available.

Founded in 2016 and based in Tampa, Florida, Cirkul is the brainchild of two recent Dartmouth College graduates who came up with the idea while playing football. The company plans to roll out additional technological enhancements for the personal beverage industry. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.DrinkCirkul.com.

 

# # #

Robert Hoskins
(512) 627-6622
@Crowdfunding_PR

---

Mr. Robert Hoskins is a seasoned marketing veteran with a proven track record of helping entrepreneurs, startups, small businesses as well as Fortune 500 corporations launch successful marketing communications campaigns to gain market traction for a wide variety of products and services.

On a regular basis, Mr. Hoskins consults with crowdfunding campaign managers as well as crowdfunding sites, portals and platforms to deliver successful crowdfunding marketing campaigns.

Google search “Robert Hoskins Crowdfunding” to see why Mr. Hoskins runs one of the industry’s foremost crowdfunding PR, social media and marketing agencies that has amassed a huge social media following and is dedicated to supporting a wide variety of donation, rewards and equity crowdfunding campaigns.

New Kickstarter Crowdfunding Campaign Transforms Square Lunch Box into a Cool New Compartmentalized Thermos

The new ICONIQ Qore lunch  box combines vacuum insulation with a modular design without the need for refrigeration or reheating

By Robert Hoskins

Irvine, California – ICONIQ Bottle has announced the release of their latest project, an all-in-one food container that aims to replace the traditional lunchbox. Full details of the food container, titled the ICONIQ Qore, were revealed on the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform, where it is currently available for pre-order.

The new ICONIQ Qore lunch box combines vacuum insulation with a modular design without the need for refrigeration or reheating

The product of two years of ideation and development, its features include:

• Double wall stainless steel vacuum insulation to keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot.
• Unique stacking food container segments, allowing you to pack multiple dishes together.
• A stainless steel fold-out spork stored in the base of the container eliminating the need for loose or disposable eating utensils.
• High-grade stainless steel materials that are re-usable, 100% BPA free, and easy-to-clean.

Also in the works is a stackable insulated water bottle segment that combines with the food container into one portable unit.

“The combination of vacuum insulation with a modular design is the real game changer,” says co-founder Shane Jones. “It opens up tons of new food options, all without the need for refrigeration or reheating. Pack a bowl of hot chicken noodle soup served with a side salad. Or a Greek yogurt served with a chopped fruit medley. The possibilities are endless.”

In building a more sensible, easy-to-use lunchbox ICONIQ hopes to steer consumers away from more traditional takeout or packaged food options, which they claim are often highly processed and unhealthy.

“Most schoolchildren don’t have access to a refrigerator or microwave. The same goes for many professionals working outdoors or on the road,” says lead designer Richard Chritz. “The ICONIQ Qore will allow everyone to enjoy fresh home cooked meals instead of the typical processed or packaged foods found in most packed lunches.”

The ICONIQ Qore Food Container is currently in is the final stages of development and is scheduled for release in June 2017. It will come in multiple colors and variations with prices ranging from $18-$29.

# # #

Robert Hoskins
(512) 627-6622
@Crowdfunding_PR

---

Mr. Robert Hoskins is a seasoned marketing veteran with a proven track record of helping entrepreneurs, startups, small businesses as well as Fortune 500 corporations launch successful marketing communications campaigns to gain market traction for a wide variety of products and services.

On a regular basis, Mr. Hoskins consults with crowdfunding campaign managers as well as crowdfunding sites, portals and platforms to deliver successful crowdfunding marketing campaigns.

Google search “Robert Hoskins Crowdfunding” to see why Mr. Hoskins is considered one of the industry’s foremost crowdfunding experts that has amassed a huge social media following, which is dedicated to supporting donation-, rewards- and equity-based crowdfunding campaigns.

Just in Time for Spring BBQs – the GoBQ grill is the Perfect Portable Solution for the Football Tailgating Crowd

The GoBQ Grill is the coolest way to cook a hot meal at the game partying with friends and then put it safely away before the first kickoff

By Robert Hoskins

Chicago, IL – Grilling enthusiasts across the globe are gobbling up a good opportunity to buy a GoBQ Grill during April. Right now outdoor adventurers can get a hot deal on a cool way to grill food at tailgating parties as well as other types of remote grilling opportunities such as hikes, trips to the beach and remote backpacking trips. Apparently the portable grill is serving a big appetite. In less that two weeks, their Indiegogo campaign  has raised more than 120% of their $30,000 goal with 196 backers from over 19 countries worldwide.

The GoBQ Grill is the coolest way to cook a hot meal and pack it away safely before the 1st kickoff!

The Indiegogo campaign can be found here:http://www.IndieGoBQ.com.

I guess that means it’s time to buy a grill and get ready to start cooking outdoors, but now grillers won’t have to be confined to their backyards or tethered to their SUVs.

Weighing in at only eight pounds, the patented GoBQ is a revolutionary grilling system complete with a metal grate cooking surface large enough to feed a family, chain basket to hold charcoal, and lid to contain heat.

But unlike other grills on the market, all GoBQ components fold in on themselves to become a black cylinder that resembles a small, sleek duffel bag. Take it with you camping, tailgating, picnicking, biking, boating or fishing, and people everywhere will ask, “Wait, that’s a grill?”

“What makes the GoBQ unique is you can sling it over your shoulder or stuff it in a backpack,” says co-founder and product chief Eric Goeken, who invented the GoBQ and built its early prototypes in his own garage.

After only five days on the market, critics are already weighing in on the ingenuity of the GoBQ. “Imagine a lightweight portable charcoal grill with nearly 200 square inches of cooking surface that fold up into a tiny little package,” says barbecue and grilling expert Derrick Riches of bbq.about.com. The GoBQ “could revolutionize the portable charcoal grill forever.”

The body of the GoBQ is made of a silicon-coated fiberglass material that can withstand flames and high temperatures. The fabric base, nickel-plated metal grate and charcoal basket all fold up to fit neatly inside the grill’s fabric lid, which also folds together to become its own compact carrying bag. Set up and tear down are a breeze, as the GoBQ body cools to the touch soon after dumping the charcoal embers—unlike other metal grills, which can take forever to cool down.

“The GoBQ is a game changer,” says company co-founder and CEO Todd Zaroban. “Those other so-called portable grills are either too cumbersome to carry or too flimsy to properly cook anything. We believe it will change the way people think about outdoor cooking.”

GoBQ is targeted to ship in August of this year, just in time for college and NFL football tailgating season.

The GoBQ Grill is a portable, packable grill made of heat and flameproof fabric that folds up like a camping chair to fit in a backpack or store in a drawer.  The GoBQ is the patented brainchild of start-up company Grillfold LLC and its founders—product design and engineering guru Eric Goeken, and Todd Zaroban, a successful entrepreneur with 25 years of marketing, branding and web development experience.

# # #

Crowdcube’s Spain Equity Crowdfunding Site Surpasses €1 Million for Six Startups

A Barcelona-based drone company,HEMAV, broke the record for the largest equity crowdfunding round in Spain raising €450,000 in just six days

By Robert Hoskins

Spain – Crowdcube opened its Spanish operation just nine months ago. Since it launched, over €1 million has been raised by its investor base who can invest anything from €10. The largest investment to date has been €112,000 and the average investment €3,290. The finance raised has funded six businesses operating in a range of sectors including food and beverage, finance and business services.

Crowdcube.com enables anyone to invest alongside professional investors in start-up early stage and growth businesses through equity, debt and investment fund options

One of the businesses to raise finance on the platform was HEMAV, a Barcelona-based drone company, which broke the record for the largest equity crowdfunding round in Spain. The company raised €450,000 in just six days after attracting investment from more than 70 people.

The most recent business to successfully raise investments on the site was Zank, a peer-to-peer lending platform, which raised €245,000 from over 70 investors. As part of the round, the company also received funds from ESADE Ban, the business angel network of the ESADE business school . Zank was the first lending platform in Spain to secure funding through crowdfunding.

Crowdcube Spain has also raised investment for, Iberic Box, a company that sells traditional Spanish food; Eureka Startup Experts, a marketplace that connects entrepreneurs with advisors and industry experts; FoodintheBox, a subscription box service for cooking ingredients; Seedbox, a subscription box for growing vegetables at home.

Managing director of Crowdcube Spain, Pepe Borrell, commented, “There is a real gap in funding for start-ups and early stage businesses in Spain so I’m pleased that we’ve already been able to fund six businesses and that Spanish investors are embracing crowdfunding. The alternative finance sector has grown at a rapid pace in the UK and we’re now seeing the same trends emerge in Spain. There’s a huge potential market for crowdfunding in Spain so we’re excited about the future of Crowdcube Spain.”

Darren Westlake, CEO and co-founder of Crowdcube added, “Having a strong presence at a local level is key to the success of our overseas operation, and to ensuring Crowdcube’s remains the world’s leading investment crowdfunding platform; so it’s great to see Spain achieve these milestones at such an early stage.”

There are currently eight businesses on Crowdcube Spain pitching for a total investment of €995,000.

Crowdcube Spain is one of seven partnerships in Crowdcube’s overseas operation, the company now has platforms in Brazil, Sweden, Dubai, Poland, Italy, Spain and New Zealand.

# # #

PERES Indiegogo Campaign Gives Moms and Senior Citizens Technology to Sniff Out Possible Food Poisoning by Alerting Users of Spoiled Food

The unique electronic-nose scanner “smells” food to test for freshness. Scan results are instantly reported on a mobile app – helping users provide healthier food for their families and avoid health risks like food poisoning

By Robert Hoskins

London, UK – Are your parents getting older and have lost their sense of smell?  Many senior citizens and customers in third world countries without access to dependable refrigeration can now pre-order a PERES, a first-of-its-kind handheld device and mobile app, which provides information about the freshness and quality of meat, poultry and fish and protects against food poisoning, is now available for pre-order on Indiegogo.

PERES is an innovative electronic ‘e-nose’ which enables users to determine the quality, freshness of beef, pork, poultry and fish

The world’s first portable ‘e-nose’ and its iOS/Android mobile app enables users to determine the quality, freshness of meat, poultry, and fish and whether it has gone bad and could potentially cause food poisoning. The device also helps to limit unnecessary food waste, by testing the meat which is out of date or close to expiring.

To operate the device, users simply point the PERES at meat and click a button. It works by analysing a sample of the gases for volatile organic compounds and amonia. Within a few seconds, users receive information on their smartphone or tablet about the food’s freshness, whether it’s been left unrefrigerated and whether there may be a risk of food poisoning.

Food-related illness is a global challenge and in the U.S. alone it’s estimated that there are 48 million cases of food-borne illness, resulting in 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths, each year (source:CDC).

“The World Health Organization estimates that one out of three people living in industrialized countries may be affected by food-borne illness each year,” said Augustas Alesiunas, CEO of ARS Lab LTD (creators of PERES). “Having suffered through the horrible experience of food poisoning myself, I decided to create a device that would help families quickly and easily check the freshness and quality of food.”

The PERES can also help reduce the costly problem of food waste by determining if food is still fresh and safe to eat. It’s estimated that the average U.S. household of four is losing $275-$455 per year on food that’s needlessly trashed. It’s also estimated that up to 90% of Americans throw food out prematurely (source: NRDC/Harvard Report).

With its Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, ARS Lab LTD is raising funds to complete product development and to bring PERES to market in late 2014. The Indiegogo goal is set for $50,000; and with early contributions, the campaign is on pace to surpass this goal. The campaign is set to run until May 31, 2014.

“We believe PERES will be an invaluable tool for families to monitor the safety and freshness of their food, and we are extremely grateful for the support and validation the device is receiving from early contributors on Indiegogo,” added Alesiunas.

# # #