Is WeFunder a Safe and Reliable Funding Source

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WeFunder is a crowdfunding platform that allows entrepreneurs and small businesses to raise funds from a large number of people, typically in the form of small investments.

WeFunder is a registered funding portal with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which means it's subject to certain regulations and guidelines.

This registration is a significant indicator of WeFunder's legitimacy and commitment to operating within the law.

WeFunder's fees for startups are relatively low, with a minimum fee of $50 and a maximum fee of 8% of the total funds raised.

Risks and Concerns

Investing on Wefunder comes with risks, and it's essential to understand them before making a decision. There is always a risk that you will lose your money.

The platform is equity-based, which means there's also a risk that the company you invest in won't be successful, leaving you with no return.

You should be aware that Wefunder's investments can be unpredictable, and there's no guarantee of success.

Investor Experience

Credit: youtube.com, Wefunder Review: My Honest Experience with the Crowdfunding Platform

WeFunder has outstanding customer support, with communications that are prompt and friendly.

Investors have reported being able to sign up more easily than on other sites, especially for non-US residents.

Some investors have been frustrated with not hearing from the startups they invested in, while others have been disappointed with the returns on their investments.

WeFunder's low minimum investment amount and quality of offerings have encouraged some investors to invest more and faster than planned.

Donated Once; Spammed Forever

You've probably heard horror stories about people who donated to a campaign once, only to be bombarded with spam emails forever. This is exactly what happened to one Wefunder investor who donated several years ago.

The problem is that Wefunder's marketing partners harvest investor emails and sell them to third parties, completely disregarding user preferences and email spamming laws.

Wefunder's Head of Experience, Mark "Merc" Mercer, acknowledges that this is a real issue and that it's not just Wefunder's fault. He notes that marketing agencies often advise founders to email their lists, even if it means spamming investors.

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Mercer suggests that the solution is to build better tools to match investors and founders, giving investors more control to opt-out of emails. He's working on features that may help with this.

Wefunder claims to not disclose personal information, including email addresses, to third parties. However, this hasn't stopped investors from receiving spam emails.

Identity Verification Delay

Identity verification delays can be frustrating, especially if you're a first-time user. This user experienced a slow verification process and confusing auto-reply messages about the status of their investment.

Unclear communication can cast doubts over the success of your investment. The user's experience with Wefunder's platform left them wondering if their investment would go through or be cancelled due to bugs.

First-time users, like this one, are particularly vulnerable to a bad first impression. Wefunder's platform failed to make a great first impression, according to this user's experience.

I Invested $2000 and Heard Nothing

I invested $2000 and heard nothing, which is a common experience for some investors on Wefunder. This can be due to the lack of communication from the company after raising funds.

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Many companies on Wefunder do not communicate with investors after raising funds, which can be frustrating for investors. This has been reported by several investors who have invested in companies on the platform.

Investors have reported that they were unable to contact the companies they invested in, and some even suspected that the companies had disappeared. This lack of communication and transparency can be a major concern for investors.

Wefunder's customer service team can be responsive and helpful, but it's unclear whether they are people or bots. This can cast doubts over whether an investment will go through or be cancelled.

The platform's auto-reply messages can also be confusing, adding to the uncertainty and frustration for investors.

What

The investor experience is all about creating a seamless and enjoyable journey for investors.

Investors want to be able to easily access and manage their accounts, which is why having a user-friendly online platform is crucial.

Credit: youtube.com, Investor Experience Video Tutorial │ Andrew Hill Investment Advisors, Inc.

A good online platform should have features such as real-time account updates, customizable dashboards, and secure login processes.

Investors also value transparency, which is why regular portfolio updates and clear communication from fund managers are essential.

Regular portfolio updates can help investors stay on top of their investments and make informed decisions.

Investors are more likely to stay with a fund manager if they feel informed and engaged throughout the investment process.

Returns and Costs

Wefunder's costs are pretty straightforward. There's no upfront fee to create an account or start a campaign.

If you do meet your funding goal, Wefunder charges a platform fee of 7.5% of the money you've earned. This fee can add up quickly, so be sure to factor it into your fundraising goal.

Investors who put their money into Wefunder in 2016 would have lost 75% of their investment over 10 years, according to the data. This is a much lower return than what you'd get from investing in the SP500, which has historically generated a 7% annual return with much less risk.

Costs

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Wefunder doesn't charge an upfront fee to create an account or start a campaign.

If you do meet your funding goal, Wefunder charges a platform fee, which is 7.5% of the money you've earned. This fee is deducted from the total amount raised.

There have been instances where users experienced issues with funding account problems, which can be frustrating, but Wefunder's support team is diligent in helping to resolve the issue.

Wefunder makes money by charging a success fee to the companies that raise money on its platform, which is 7% of the total amount raised.

Total Return:

Investing $10,000 in 100 companies on Wefunder in 2016 would have resulted in a total loss of $7,500 after 10 years.

Historically, investing in the SP500 would have generated around 7% a year with much less risk.

A $100 investment in Beta Bionics in 2016 would have turned into $2,400.

This means that out of the $10,000 invested, only $500 would have been gained.

Alternatives and Options

Credit: youtube.com, 🔥 WeFunder Review: Accessible Equity Crowdfunding for Startups with Broad Investor Base

If you're looking for alternatives to Wefunder, you have several options to consider.

AngelList is one of them, and it's a popular platform for investing in startups and early-stage companies. SeedInvest and Netcapital are also worth exploring.

GenesisAI is currently raising funds on Netcapital, and it's building a global AI marketplace. Founded by a Harvard alum, GenesisAI is revenue-generating and has raised over $5M.

Alternatives

If you're looking for alternatives to Wefunder, you have options like AngelList and SeedInvest. These platforms allow you to invest in startups and early-stage companies.

AngelList is one of them, and it's a popular choice for many investors. GenesisAI is currently raising on Netcapital, another alternative to Wefunder.

Startup Funding

If you're looking for startup funding options, Wefunder is a great place to start. Wefunder allows you to raise funds through equity crowdfunding, with a minimum funding goal of $20,000 and a maximum of $5 million.

Wefunder's platform fee is 7.5%, which is all-inclusive and doesn't have any separate charges for payment processing. This fee is on par with other crowdfunding platforms.

Credit: youtube.com, 5 Favorite Startup Financing Options

You can choose from a variety of funding options on Wefunder, including Reg CF, Reg A, and Shop Fund. Shop Fund offers solutions for funding ranging from $50,000 to $75 million.

Wefunder's platform is designed to help you raise capital efficiently, with a campaign length of 1-6 months. This allows you to focus on growing your business while the platform handles the fundraising process.

Here's a summary of Wefunder's funding options:

Wefunder's fees and funding options make it a great choice for startups and small businesses looking to raise capital.

Features and Process

Your Wefunder campaign will actually work, and here's how: it's a crowdfunding platform that allows you to raise money from a large number of people, typically in exchange for equity or rewards.

With Wefunder, you can create a campaign and set a funding goal, and then share it with your network to raise money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to give SSN to Wefunder?

Yes, we take Social Security Number security seriously, encrypting and storing them on separate servers. Learn more about our robust security measures to protect your sensitive information.

Can I get my money back from Wefunder?

You can cancel your investment and get a full refund, including fees, up to 48 hours before funds are transferred. Refunds are available upon request, but be sure to review our cancellation policy for details.

Kristen Bruen

Senior Assigning Editor

Kristen Bruen is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a keen eye for compelling stories. With a background in journalism, she has honed her skills in assigning and editing articles that captivate and inform readers. Her areas of expertise include cryptocurrency exchanges, where she has a deep understanding of the rapidly evolving market and its complex nuances.

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