Crowdfunding Seminar
Raising funds from those in your network to finance your business
Businesses need money. The traditional sources of funds (family, banks and angel investors) cannot satisfy the demand for funds from new and growing businesses. As a result entrepreneurs are seeking investment from ever more varied sources. Being natural innovators, entrepreneurs are now looking to harness technology to approach their customers and extended personal or social media networks to provide financing.
At first glance Crowdfunding is the perfect provider of seed stage capital with limited costs both in terms of control and professional fees/commissions. However, seeking investments from third parties is a heavily regulated area with civil and criminal penalties awaiting the unwary. This seminar and accompanying notes will explain the financial services legislation in this area and provide practical details as to how to use Crowdfunding successfully. Any entrepreneur seriously considering Crowdfunding should attend.
Where
The British Library Business and IP Centre
First Floor, The British Library
96 Euston Road
London, NW1 2DB
When
Tuesday 27th April 2010
6pm to 9pm
The Speakers
Charles Armstrong
CEO, Trampoline Systems
Charles serves as Chief Executive of Trampoline Systems, the social analytics pioneer picked by IDC as one of the world's top ten innovators in business software. In August 2009 Trampoline Systems became the first technology vendor to finance its growth through equity crowdfunding. The company is raising £1 million from private investors over a twelve month period. The first tranche of £250,000 was successfully completed in October 2009.
Charles studied Social and Political Sciences at St John's College Cambridge. He went on to be mentored by Lord Young of Dartington, one of the architects of Britain's post-war society. He's a Fellow of the School for Social Entrepreneurs, a board member of Fundacja Techsoup and advises a variety of ventures.
David Smuts
Founder Elexu Ltd
David is a serial entrepreneur. His latest social enterprise Elexu (elects YOU!) is at the cutting edge of Crowdfunding.
When launched the platform will provide a platform for anyone to utilise the power of the crowd to help them achieve their aspirations, and in particular to raise funding for their ventures. Look out for the public launch later this year of elexu.com.
Tony Watts
FSA Lawyer, Keystone Law
Tony has been a specialist in financial services regulation for over 20 years, both as a partner in a top tier firm and a legal director of a major bank.
Tony works with companies of all sizes guiding them through the maze of FSA regulation. As it has become popular Tony has developed a niche in Crowdfunding.