Julien Uhlig- Is StartEngine the Way to Raise Funds for Your Business in 2023 - Part One - Venture X

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Article Date

Mar 1, 2023

In the Past you often had to be in Silicon Valley to Raise funds, now there are many more options available.

In the past, access to venture capital was limited to a few key geographic locations, such as Silicon Valley, where the majority of venture capital firms were located. If you didn't live in these areas, it was difficult to access the funding you needed to start or grow your business. Crowdfunding simply did not exist as a viable alternative. However, in recent years, the rise of online crowdfunding platforms like StartEngine and others has changed the game. Now, entrepreneurs and businesses can access funding from anywhere in the world, breaking down geographic barriers and creating new opportunities for innovation and growth. This has democratized access to capital and created a more level playing field for entrepreneurs, no matter where they are located.

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Raising Funds as a Remote Worker is Now Possible Using StartEngine

With the rise of remote work and entrepreneurship, it's easier than ever to start your own business and make money from anywhere in the world. One of the key challenges for entrepreneurs, however, is securing funding to get their businesses off the ground. This is where crowdfunding platforms like StartEngine come in. In this article, we'll explore how you can make money remotely by building your own company and raising funds on StartEngine.

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The Most Important Part of a Crowd-Funding Campaign is one Thing- The Crowd

Why Define Customers and Investors First?

Defining your target customers and investors is crucial for several reasons. First, it helps you create a product or service that meets their needs and solves their problems. By understanding your customers' pain points and preferences, you can develop a more compelling value proposition and a better user experience. You want to inspire your audience and customers alike and take them on a wild ride with you-

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Crowd investors are much more interested in being part of a great story than an outstanding Return- Act Accordingly

Second, it helps you create a marketing and sales strategy that resonates with your target audience. By understanding your customers' behaviors, preferences, and buying habits, you can create more effective marketing campaigns, product messaging, and pricing strategies.

Third, it helps you raise funds more efficiently by targeting investors who are interested in your business or product. By identifying your ideal investors early on, you can create a more focused fundraising strategy and increase your chances of securing funding.

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How to Define Customers and Investors- are they a good fit for a Crowdfunding Campaign? Age- Location- Access to Technology?

Defining your customers and investors starts with research. You'll need to gather data on your target audience's demographics, behaviors, preferences, and pain points. This could include conducting surveys, analyzing customer reviews, and studying market trends and competitors.

For investors, you'll need to identify the types of investors who are most likely to be interested in your business or product. This could include angel investors, venture capitalists, crowdfunding platforms, or strategic partners. You'll need to research their investment criteria, track record, and areas of expertise.

Go from the Inside Out- The closer investors are to you as a person, the more likely they are to invest with you and share your story!

Start Reaching Out Early an Leverage Your Network!

Once you've defined your target customers and investors, it's essential to start reaching out as early as possible. This could include building an email list, creating a social media presence, attending industry events, or leveraging your personal network.

By starting early, you can build relationships with your target audience and investors, establish trust, and generate interest in your business or product. You can also gather feedback on your product or service and make adjustments based on customer and investor feedback.

Defining your target customers and investors early on is crucial for the success of your business or product. By understanding their needs, behaviors, and preferences, you can create a more compelling value proposition, a more effective marketing and sales strategy, and a more focused fundraising strategy. Start reaching out to your target audience and investors as early as possible to build relationships, establish trust, and generate interest in your business or product.

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Need Help with your Campaign: Reach out to us at j.uhlig@exventure.co

Ready to Signup with Startengine: Sign up Here

Ready to Signup on Wefunder: Sign up Here for a Special Discount

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Why Crowdfunding is a Game Changer and Why Many Offerings are Breaking Laws on the Ban of General Solicitation

Crowdfunding has become a game changer in the world of finance, allowing startups and small businesses to access funding from a large pool of investors. However, many crowdfunding offerings are breaking laws on the ban of general solicitation. In this article, we'll explore why crowdfunding is a game changer and why many offerings are in violation of these laws.

What is Crowdfunding in Legal Terms- Yes! There are Laws in Place

Crowdfunding is a method of raising funds for a project or business by soliciting small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically through an online platform. Crowdfunding has become a popular alternative to traditional funding methods, such as bank loans or venture capital.

Crowdfunding allows businesses to raise funds from a large pool of investors, including both accredited and non-accredited investors. This has opened up new opportunities for startups and small businesses that may not have been able to access traditional funding sources.

First of all, using a platform like WeFunder or Startengine your offering is registered with the SEC- Now You can actually share the information publically! Public Fundraising is a highly regulated environment and you cannot just ask people on Instagram for money.

In the Worse Case, you have to pay Investors back and go to Jail. Rules 1-3 of the Playbook are the same. Do not mess with the SEC!

Crowdfunding is a game changer for several reasons. First, it provides an alternative funding source for startups and small businesses, which may not have the resources or track record to secure traditional funding. This has led to a more diverse range of businesses and ideas receiving funding, creating more opportunities for innovation.

Second, crowdfunding allows businesses to test the market demand for their products or services. By launching a crowdfunding campaign, businesses can gauge the level of interest in their product or service before investing significant resources in development and production.

Third, crowdfunding allows businesses to build a community of investors and supporters. By engaging with investors through the crowdfunding process, businesses can build relationships and establish a loyal customer base.

Why Many Offerings are Breaking Laws on the Ban of General Solicitation

Not using a Crowdfunding platform, many offerings are in violation of laws the ban general solicitation. Under securities laws, companies are prohibited from making offers to sell securities to the general public unless they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or qualify for an exemption.

How Much Can I raise? The Regulations CF and

One exemption, Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF), allows companies to raise up to $5 million per year from both accredited and non-accredited investors. However, Reg CF offerings are subject to strict rules on how offerings can be marketed and promoted. For example, companies cannot use general solicitation, meaning they cannot advertise or promote their offerings publicly.

Different Tiers of Fundraising will need different levels of Financial Audits

For a Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) raise of up to $5 million, the financial audit requirements will depend on the amount of funds raised and the specific financial reporting requirements of the crowdfunding platform being used. Generally, for a Reg CF offering of up to $5 million, financial statements must be prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and will typically require a financial review or audit.

The level of audit required will depend on the amount of funds raised. For offerings of up to $107,000, no audit is required, but financial statements must be certified by the company's principal executive officer.

- For offerings between $107,000 and $535,000, the financial statements must be reviewed by a public accountant who is independent of the company.

- For offerings between $535,000 and $5 million, the financial statements must be audited by a public accountant who is independent of the company.

Decide how much you want to raise first! Maybe go for a small Raise first and come back later for rounds 2 and 3. You will still need an audit Letter.

An audit is the highest level of financial reporting and involves an independent auditor reviewing the company's financial statements and internal controls in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. An audit provides the highest level of assurance to investors that the company's financial statements are accurate and reliable.

It's important to note that the specific financial reporting requirements may vary depending on the crowdfunding platform being used, so it's important to check the platform's requirements carefully and consult with a qualified accountant or attorney to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.

An Audit can easily take six months depending on the complexity of your Business. It is a pain but also a chance to get all your business structured in an investor-friendly and Transparent Way.

WeFunder allows you to Publish a Page before Filing with the SEC- for Testing the Water

Testing the water before launching a crowdfunding campaign can be helpful in determining whether people are really ready to invest or are just talking. This can involve gathering feedback from potential investors, conducting market research, or conducting a pre-launch campaign to gauge interest. By testing the water, businesses can identify potential issues or concerns early on and make adjustments before launching a full-scale crowdfunding campaign. This can save time and resources, as well as increase the chances of a successful campaign. Additionally, testing the water can help businesses build a community of early adopters and supporters who can help promote the campaign and generate momentum. Ultimately, by taking the time to test the water, businesses can increase their chances of success and ensure that they are meeting the needs and preferences of their target audience.

Need Help with your Campaign: Reach out to us at j.uhlig@exventure.co

Ready to Signup with Startengine: Sign up Here

Ready to Signup on Wefunder: Sign up Here for a Special Discount

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Julien Uhlig- Is StartEngine the Way to Raise Funds for Your Business in 2023 - Part One

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Julien Uhlig- Is StartEngine the Way to Raise Funds for Your Business in 2023 - Part One

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