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Many startups have found success on WeFunder, raising millions of dollars to bring their innovative ideas to life.
One notable example is Zing Anything, which raised over $1.2 million to develop a unique water bottle that can chill drinks in just 60 seconds.
WeFunder's low barriers to entry and transparent fees have made it an attractive platform for entrepreneurs looking to crowdfund their businesses.
For instance, Zing Anything's campaign was able to reach its funding goal in just 30 days, demonstrating the platform's potential for rapid growth.
WeFunder Success Stories
Wefunder has been instrumental in helping startups and small businesses raise capital from their communities.
Checkr, a background screening company, raised $113,489 from 30 investors on Wefunder. This is a small fraction of the $250 million Series E round it later raised from institutional investors.
Fathom, an AI tool that records meetings and writes notes, raised $1.2M from 1,084 investors on Wefunder. The company's founder, Richard White, called this raise the best marketing campaign he ever ran.
Harlan County Beer Company raised $240K from 351 investors on a revenue share contract, which is a loan where the company agrees to pay investors back a multiple of their investment as a percentage of revenues.
Immersed, a startup that offers immersive experiences, raised $5M from over 2,500 investors in 45 days, and then an additional $3M from 1,609 investors in 2023.
Here are some key statistics from Wefunder's success stories:
These success stories demonstrate the power of community-driven fundraising on Wefunder.
How WeFunder Works
Wefunder is a Public Benefit Corporation, not a C Corp, which means we're legally mandated to uphold our PBC charter and prioritize our mission over shareholder returns.
We've raised almost $20M from 6,700 investors on our own platform over the last decade, demonstrating the power of community rounds.
Our own community rounds have been incredibly successful, with the average Wefunder investor making 1.6 investments on the platform, but for our 6,700 investors, that number rises to 8.9.
Levels
Levels is a company that has successfully raised funds on WeFunder. They closed a $38 million Series A in April 2022 from prominent investors. This investment was led by operators Andrea Funsten, Ben Gilbert, and David Rosenthal, with additional support from Lenny Rachitsky and the Airbnb Alumni Syndicate.
Levels has a strong track record of growth, with $6 million in Annual Recurring Revenue as of April 2022. They were on track to reach this milestone, and their investor update provides more details on their progress.
The company has also had previous funding rounds, including a $12 million Seed round led by Andreessen Horowitz in November 2022.
How It Works
WeFunder is a crowdfunding platform that allows entrepreneurs and small business owners to raise funds from a large number of people, typically in the range of $500 to $5 million.
To start a campaign on WeFunder, you'll need to create a profile and set a funding goal. WeFunder charges a 5% fee on the total amount raised, in addition to a payment processing fee of 3% + $0.30 per transaction.
Entrepreneurs and small business owners can use WeFunder to raise funds for a variety of purposes, including product development, marketing, and operational costs. This can be a great way to validate your business idea and build a community of supporters.
WeFunder allows you to set a funding goal and a deadline for the campaign. If the goal is met, the funds are released to you. If not, the funds are returned to the investors.
WeFunder also offers a feature called "Reg D" which allows companies to raise up to $1.07 million from accredited investors, with no limits on the number of investors. This can be a good option for companies that have a proven track record and a solid business plan.
How WeFunder Works
WeFunder is a Public Benefit Corporation, not a C Corp, which means we're legally mandated to uphold our PBC charter, prioritizing our mission over maximizing shareholder returns.
We've raised almost $20M from 6,700 investors on our own platform over the last decade, demonstrating the power of community rounds.
The average Wefunder investor has made 1.6 investments on the platform, but for our 6,700 investors, that number rises to 8.9, showing our community's enthusiasm for investing in startups.
Our mission is to get more capital flowing to startup founders throughout America and the world, enabling everyone to invest in startups they love, not just rich people.
We're on a train trip across the country next month to find more founders who need help raising capital and are excited to let their customers and community invest alongside institutional investors and accredited investors.
We've facilitated thousands of community rounds, each with its own unique story, highlighting the power of collective effort and democratized investing.
Through equity crowdfunding, businesses can sell shares and equity to investors, raising money while keeping more control over their company.
With traditional venture capital, businesses often have to give up significant equity and control, but with equity crowdfunding, they can reach thousands or millions of potential investors through online platforms like WeFunder.
The 2012 Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act made equity crowdfunding more accessible, relaxing regulations around investment eligibility and amounts.
As a result, businesses have become easier to connect with potential investors through platforms like WeFunder and SeedInvest.
Startup Funding Options
Startup funding options can be complex, but let's break it down.
Shop Fund is a funding option that allows startups to raise capital from a small group of investors.
Reg CF and Reg A are two types of funding options that allow startups to raise money from a wider range of investors.
Reg D and LLC are also funding options, but they have different rules and requirements.
For example, Reg D requires startups to have a broker or dealer to facilitate the fundraising process, while an LLC can be used as a primary funding vehicle.
Broker Offerings are another type of funding option, but they require special documentation and compliance with the Job Act.
Title Investment opportunities can be offered to non-accredited investors, but only if they are registered with the SEC.
Startups can also offer investments on their own website, such as on the Wefunder platform.
ScoutMine is another platform that allows startups to raise capital, and Wefunder Login is the portal for startups to manage their fundraising efforts.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make money on Wefunder?
You can potentially earn money on Wefunder, but there's also a risk of losing your investment. Joining Wefunder can also offer unique perks and connections with like-minded investors.
Sources
- https://www.boringbusinessnerd.com/post/wefunder-success-stories
- https://www.moneypenny.com/us/resources/blog/four-crowdfunding-success-stories-to-inspire-you/
- https://scoutmine.com/wefunder
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/15-epic-wefunder-community-rounds-jonny-price-soihc
- https://academy.musaffa.com/success-stories-in-equity-crowdfunding/
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