The growth in Regulation A+ and Regulation CF offerings fuels entrepreneurship and job growth in the United States. Since 2016, there have been over 4,600 capital offerings utilizing Reg A+ or CF, with over $500 million raised in 2021 alone. This capital helps companies grow, create jobs, and positively impact their local communities. Crowdfunding is a robust tool for businesses to secure funding, with an average of 43.8% of pre-revenue startups successfully using this method.
Crowdfunded Capital and Democratization
When businesses utilize crowdfunding, they can access a much larger customer base, allowing them to have a more significant impact on their local communities. it is particularly well-suited for getting loyal customers, employees, suppliers, and other stakeholders to become investors in your company. Crowdfunding enables the democratization of the private capital market by giving these parties an opportunity to participate in the investment process, something that has not been practical before with traditional investing. For many companies, this unlocks a powerful opportunity and 42% of raises reach their goal in 3 days.
Creating Job Opportunities
With over $1 billion in capital raised through Reg CF at an average of $1.3 million per raise, these businesses create innovation and bring economic change to local communities in the form of spending and jobs. An estimated $2.5 billion went into local communities from crowdfunded companies in 2021 alone, with money changing hands as much as six times before leaving the local economy. This demonstrates how crowdfunding directly impacts many communities across the country. It brings money to a community by creating jobs; companies that utilize regulated crowdfunding support over 250,000 American jobs across 466 industries. That number is expected to grow as the private market continues to expand.
Crowdfunding allows all types of businesses to access the capital they need to grow and create jobs through Reg A+ and Reg CF. Between 2000 and 2019, small businesses created 10.5 million US jobs, while large companies only created 5.6 million, according to 2020 data from the US Small Business Administration. This highlights the importance of small businesses within the economy. However, many small businesses have not traditionally had the same access to capital as large ones. This changed with the JOBS Act, increasing the availability of capital for these small businesses and leveling the playing field. As these companies continue to receive capital from the JOBS Act exemptions, the economy continues to benefit from the democratization of capital.
It’s not only the number of jobs that are important but also the quality of those positions. Good jobs lead to a better living standard. When people have good jobs, they can afford to make purchases, give their children better access to education, access healthcare whenever needed, and many other positive benefits for these individuals. At the same time, they support businesses within their community, which helps those grow as well. A strong economy also attracts business investment from other parts of the country and the world. All of these factors lead to more jobs, and the cycle continues.
Investing in the Future
The expansion of crowdfunding presents opportunities for anyone interested in becoming an investor, with a chance to get in on the ground floor of the next big thing, while also supporting businesses and creating jobs. It’s a win-win for everyone involved, and it all starts with the democratization of capital. When you invest in a company through crowdfunding, you can invest in your community. The money that is raised through these offerings stays local, and as the businesses grow, they pump even more money back into the economy.
Crowdfunding is an excellent way to support businesses and create jobs, but it’s also a great way to invest in the future. With the industry expected to continue to grow, now is the time to get involved. With opportunities for everyone, from accredited to retail investors, there has never been a better time to get involved in the democratization of capital. So this Labor Day, remember that when you support businesses through crowdfunding, you also help create jobs and create a brighter economic future.