How Does Tech Allow People to Make Smaller Investments?

The world of technology has completely revolutionized the way we view investments–no longer do people need to invest large sums of money to have access to incredible investment opportunities. Through the use of online platforms and computerized transactions, people can now make smaller investments that still have the potential to provide generous returns. This change has made it possible for more people to invest in the private market and other forms of capital, thus democratizing the process and giving more people a chance to participate in the economy.

 

Making Investments Accessible

 

In the past, making investments usually required working with a financial advisor and entailed putting down large sums of money. This often puts investing out of reach for the average person. However, with the advent of online platforms, virtually anyone can now get started in investing with relatively little money. For example, Acorns is an app that rounds up your credit or debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and then invests that spare change into a portfolio of ETFs. In this way, users can invest without even realizing it, while simply making purchases as they normally would. This convenience is one of the main reasons why investing has become more popular in recent years. And, with JOBS Act regulations, nonaccredited investors can use technology to pool their money and invest in startups that were only accessible to the wealthy.

 

While VCs have been known to invest large sums of money into startups, there are now platforms that allow nonaccredited investors to get in on the action with as little as $100. This is made possible through the use of crowdfunding platforms such as WeFunder and Republic. These platforms give everyone a chance to support the businesses they believe in and potentially make a profit from their investment. 

 

Technology has also made it easier for people to keep track of their investments and monitor their portfolios. In the past, people had to rely on paper statements and manual calculations to track their progress. Now, numerous apps and websites offer real-time data and analysis of an investment portfolio. This makes it easy for investors to stay on top of their finances and make well-informed decisions about where to allocate their money.

 

A Technology-Driven Evolution

 

It is clear that technology has completely changed the landscape of investing. No longer do people need to have a lot of money to get started. With the click of a button, anyone can now invest in the stock market or support their favorite businesses through crowdfunding. This accessibility has democratized the process of making investments and given more people the opportunity to participate in the economy. In the past, only those with a lot of money could afford to invest. However, thanks to technology, that is no longer the case.

 

The changes that have been brought about by technology are sure to revolutionize the way we think about investments in the years to come even more than they have already. This not only benefits the common person who wants to invest their money but also smaller organizations and startups looking to raise capital. Through acts like Reg CF and Reg A+, businesses now have a better chance than ever before to get the funding they need from a wider pool of potential investors that are accredited and nonaccredited alike. This is all thanks to the power of technology and its ability to connect people from all over the world.

 

Thanks to technology, making investments has become more convenient and accessible than ever before. Whether you’re looking to invest a small amount of spare change or put together a portfolio of startups, there’s an online platform that can help you do it. This change from the past has democratized investing and given more people the opportunity to participate in the economy. In the years to come, we can only expect this trend to continue as technology continues to evolve.

 

Labor Day: Democratization and Opportunities to Create Jobs

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.