Crowdfunding Now!

I recently gave a talk at the 2015 National Black MBA Association, INC. Washington DC Chapter (NBMBAA-DC) Entrepreneurship Expo. My talk, titled “Black People and Venture Capital: Why You May Never Get Funded,” available at  https://youtu.be/gXGBEUoxHHs I started with a discussion of the key financial institution in the country, the Federal Reserve Board, which controls the allocation of capital via monetary policy, the tools used to control the supply of money.  The Fed is located at 20th Street and Constitution Avenue N.W. and I encouraged DC entrepreneurs to visit the institution, since the Fed directly impacts the ability of small businesses to get capital. I also encouraged Black businesses in DC to use the recently established Offices of Minority and Women Inclusion as a powerful potential source of capital and contracts. Section 342 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act contains a provision creating an Office of Minority and Women In...

Tech808 is  this  Saturday June 6th  at George Washington University  and it's shaping up to be one of the rarest types of tech conferences to hit the DC area. Tech808's mission is to bring awareness of the possibilities of tech entrepreneurship within the urban culture. Who Should Attend Tech808? Wantrepreneurs: You are the new guy/girl on the block. You want to start a company but have no idea how. You might have a 9 to 5 gig, been laid off, or decided it was time for a change. All of our speakers have been there, #Tech808 will not only educate you on tactics needed, but it will also leave YOU INSPIRED TO CHASE YOUR DREAMS! Entrepreneurs: So you already started to chase your dreams? Salutes on that! Now join us at #Tech808 to learn how to take your company and yourself to the next level. We’ve brought together some incredible speakers to teach YOU their tactics that have led them to success. Speakers/sessions include: Paul Brunson - "Business Lessons I Learned Fro...

As one author noted, "Here are some of the main points of the Illinois Intrastate Crowdfunding Bill (HB 3429). Adds new definition of 'accredited investor' which is now tied to the federal definition (see new 815 ILCS 5/2.34). Amends the transaction exemption provided by 815 ILCS 5/4(H) to allow for offers, sales and/or issuances of securities to any 'accredited investor' and for the general promotion of the same (to the extent specified in the Bill). Provides new definition of  'qualified escrowee,' which includes title insurance companies and banks authorized to do business in Illinois who maintain at least one (1) physical location in the state (see new 815 ILCS 5/2.35). Provides new Intrastate Crowdfunding Exemption (see 815 ILCS 5/4(T)). Highlights include: $1,000,000 funding cap unless the Issuer has made available to prospective purchasers audited financial statements, in which case the funding cap will be $4,000,000. – See subsection (2) ...

We have posted the DRAFT SEC Title IV Crowdfunding forms.... Form 1-A:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx3S91AlzNJ4dmpMSGxlNGF1OFk/view?usp=sharing Annual (Form 1-K):  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx3S91AlzNJ4ekVHYUZjZHRfZEk/view?usp=sharing Semiannual Report (Form 1-SA): https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx3S91AlzNJ4Tl9oM0VUemxoODQ/view?usp=sharing Current event (Form 1-U): https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx3S91AlzNJ4Tk53eWNVLUd0dmM/view?usp=sharing Exit (Form 1-Z) Report:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx3S91AlzNJ4OE5KX20tUUJoLTA/view?usp=sharing Keep in mind, these are DRAFT forms, but if you want to know what the paperwork will look like...well, here it is. This is part of my class on How to Crowdfund:  https://www.udemy.com/how-to-crowdfund/

We posted an article with the title "How to Crowdfund" in 2012. Given all that has happened in the interim I thought we would update it. This data is from  our Online Class on How to Crowdfund -  https://www.udemy.com/how-to-crowdfund/ (Video preview :  https://youtu.be/nL5svW7pN7w ) As I noted in 2012, crowdfunding , getting investments and donations from individuals via the internet,  has taken off, giving individuals who have, until now,  been shut  out of funding markets access to much needed cash. It will especially help socially responsible individuals and those seeking to fund socially responsible projects. These are exactly the types of projects that have had an extraordinarily difficult time raising capital in the current economic downturn.  In my book on  crowdfunding  ( The JOBS Act: Crowdfunding for Small Businesses and Startups , published by Apress) I discuss how to raise ...

"How To Crowdfund" on Udemy: https://www.udemy.com/how-to-crowdfund/ Course Contents: What is Crowdfunding? The JOBS Act's definition of " crowdfunding ," “ crowdfunding platforms," and “emerging growth companies" How to get up to $1 million through crowdfunding The risks and rewards of taking advantage of crowdfunding Intellectual property protection Choosing a crowdfunding platform SEC Title IV Regulation A - how does this work? Indiegogo vs Kickstarter State-level crowdfunding How to stay on the right side of the law when soliciting funds How to identify and deal with reliable crowdfunding platforms and companies How businesses owned by women and minorities can raise new capital, as well as those now shut out of the capital markets (restaurants, day-care centers and others ignored by finicky venture capitalists and skittish bankers) How investors can identify opportunities, avoid fraud, perform due diligence, and then make an int...

Astronomers Baffled. Does this indicate an unusual occurrence on Earth?