This Founder's Effort to Find an Alternative to a Second Car Led Her to Build an E-Bike Business
Devin: What do you see as your superpower?
Victoria: I would say my superpower is my—this is very superman of me—my sense of justice. Since I was 15 or 16, I told myself I was going to be in Greenpeace and I was going to be an eco-warrior. So I think since a young age, I’ve known that whatever I did with my life, it had to have a sense of purpose and that it was going to make change in the world.
“My husband and I had gone down to a one-car household, and we were looking for a different form of transportation other than having to purchase a second car,” says Victoria Brunner, CEO of FattE-Bikes. “So we looked at all the options, including public transportation, Lyft, you name it. I stumbled across electric bikes, and I said, ‘Hey, have you seen these?’”
That 2017 conversation led to success and impact they scarcely could have imagined at that moment.
“I realized quickly that what a lot of the bikes are coming from overseas in Asia, and the quality control was just not there,...more
PODCAST: How to do Crowdfunding From Regulation A to an OTC Listing
Even though you can raise up to $75 million dollars with a Regulation A (Reg.A) offering, many issuers do not understand the flexibility of the program. For many, the goal is to raise a set amount of money, but going public and getting listed on the capital markets may make a whole lot of sense as well. In this podcast, Mike Brette from Small Cap Equity Advisors goes over all the dos and donts on how to make the whole process work for you and your company.
Crowdfunding sounds easy, but it isn’t the wild west and there are significant rules and regulations you must follow if you want to do Regulation A correctly, eventually leading to a listing on a capital market such as the OTC. As Mr. Brette mentions on the podcast, you don’t want the SEC knocking at your door.
However, the flexibility associated with Reg.A makes it very attractive to use as a vehicle to go public. But how? What are the nuances here? What kind of advertising can you do? What are the only tw...more
Quiz: Are You Eligible to Invest in Startups and Small Businesses Under SEC Reg CF Rules?
If you would like to know if you are eligible to invest in startups under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation Crowdfunding here in the United States for investing in startups and small businesses, please proceed.
To develop this complete quiz, I’ve carefully reviewed Regulation Crowdfunding on the SEC’s website. I also checked with crowdfunding attorney Michelle Thimesch (and others).
Here’s the quiz:
Are you a U.S.-based adult? Yes or No.
If you answered “Yes,” you are eligible.
That’s the entire quiz. You’re done.
(OK, in the spirit of full disclosure, if you are not U.S. based, there are more questions to sort through to determine what rules may govern your investment in a U.S. company. The answer is still often “yes.” You’ll want to check with an attorney in your country.)
Michelle, who is also the CEO of Crowdfund Main Street, explained, “The U.S. does not regulate foreign investors. It is o...more
An Open Letter to Dan Snyder – It’s Time to Make Washington Football America’s Team
Dear Dan:
Many of us have read the off-season headlines about the Washington Commanders and that you may - or may not - be holding out for a $7 billion dollar bid to sell the team. We’ve read that you’ve rejected a Jeff Bezos bid around $6 billion and have blocked him from bidding. Other headlines say that he isn’t blocked – it’s all a ploy to keep interest high.
We’ve also read that the NFL league owners will meet, starting on March 26, and it is believed the other owners want you to complete a sale by that time to allow new owners time to take over Washington before the new season begins.
Growing up in central Ohio, I lived in the middle of fan rivalry between the Browns and Bengals – so I wasn’t always a Washington Football fan. But after moving to the DC area, Washington became my adopted team and I learned that people from all over the US felt Washington football belonged to them too. At a family wedding in Florida, a cousin who had spent his entire career as a cop in...more
Guerrilla Marketing Is Not Enough for Crowdfunding Anymore
That statement is generally true. While guerrilla marketing tactics can be effective in specific contexts, crowdfunding has become a highly competitive and complex landscape. Simply relying on grassroots tactics is unlikely to be enough to ensure success.
Crowdfunding campaigns often require a significant amount of planning, strategic thinking, and resources to generate momentum and reach their funding goals. This can include developing a solid brand and messaging, building a compelling story around the project or product being funded, identifying and engaging with potential backers through various channels (such as social media, email marketing, and influencer outreach), and leveraging data and analytics to optimize campaign performance.
In addition, crowdfunding platforms have become more sophisticated. They offer a range of features and tools to help campaigners succeed, such as campaign management dashboards, built-in analytics, and access to third-party marketing services.
Therefo...more
How to use Google advertising for our Crowdfunding campaign?
Google advertising can be an effective way to reach a large audience quickly. By using Google Ads, you can target specific keywords, demographics, and locations to get potential backers who might be interested in your crowdfunding campaign.
However, using Google Ads can be costly, and it is not a guarantee of success. It’s essential to have a well-planned campaign, high-quality landing pages, and a compelling pitch to ensure a good return on investment.
Before deciding to use Google Ads for your crowdfunding campaign, you should consider your budget, your target audience, and your marketing goals. It may be worth considering other marketing channels, such as social media or influencer marketing, to reach potential backers.
In conclusion, using Google Ads for your crowdfunding campaign can be an effective way to reach a large audience, but it requires careful planning and consideration.
- Create a Google AdWords account: Sign up for a Google AdWords account if you don’t already ha
Should I use video Marketing for our Crowdfunding campaign?
Video marketing has proven to be an effective tool for crowdfunding campaigns. It allows you to showcase your product or idea in a more engaging and memorable way. Videos also give you the opportunity to connect with potential backers on a more personal level and can help create a sense of community around your campaign.
Some benefits of using video marketing for your crowdfunding campaign are:
- Higher engagement: Videos are more likely to be shared and watched than written content. This can help increase the reach of your campaign and attract more backers.
- Emotional connection: Videos can help create an emotional connection with your audience, which can be crucial in convincing them to back your campaign.
- Better storytelling: Videos allow you to tell a story about your product or idea in a more compelling way than text or images.
- Demonstrating your product: If you have a physical product, a video can help demonstrate how it works and showcase its features.
- Professionalism: A well-made
Should I use Influencer Marketing for our Crowdfunding campaign?
Influencer marketing can be an effective way to raise awareness and attract backers for a crowdfunding campaign. Influencers can help spread the word about your campaign to their followers and provide social proof for your product or project. It is essential to carefully select influencers who align with your brand and target audience and to communicate your campaign goals and expectations to them. Additionally, it is essential to have a solid marketing strategy beyond influencer marketing, as it should not be relied on as the sole source of promotion.
Influencer marketing can be a powerful tool to promote your crowdfunding campaign, mainly if you have limited reach or are targeting a niche audience. Influencers can help you reach a broader audience, build credibility, and generate social proof.
When considering influencer marketing for your crowdfunding campaign, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Choose the right influencers: Look for influencers who have a genuine interest in y