Seedrs is going from strength-to-strength after taking less than nine months to become one of the world’s leading crowdfunding websites.
The website is now the UK’s leading platform for investors looking for start-ups and has soared past the £1 million mark in raising start-up capital since launching last July.
To underline the popularity of the site, and increasing attraction for funding start-ups, around £700,000 of the total raised was done so in the last three months.
Jeff Lynn, who co-founded Seedrs, said: “The success of the site provides hard evidence of the fact there are an amazing number of entrepreneurs of in the UK who have great ideas and that there are increasing numbers of investors willing to invest in them.”
He added that it’s not just experienced business angels who were looking to diversify investment portfolios, but also first time start-up investors who had been attracted by the site’s offering.
Digital businesses
Mr Lynn added: “It’s also promising that investment has accelerated in recent months and we are now looking forward to the potentially significant returns which our investors look set to recieve.”
So far, Seedrs has helped 21 start-ups with many of the companies being digital businesses.
The latest firm to pick up funding is Northern Ireland-based Mike’s Fancy Cheese which raised £80,000 in exchange for a 40% share of the business.
Mr Lynn said: “When it comes to the power of equity crowdfunding, it is great to see that the UK is a genuine world leader in this sector which is a classic win-win phenomenon for investors.”
Meanwhile, a new SEIS/EIS offer is being launched between 350 Group and Grue OG Hornstrup A/S, to be known as Solar350 Ltd, which will develop solar power stations in southern Europe.
Solar farm
The two companies have extensive experience in developing and implementing new green technologies and their new venture hopes to raise £680,000 under SEIS and EIS to find its ambitions to create renewable energy applications, especially solar farms.
The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) is a tax-efficient way for investors to back a start-up as they can claim 50% of the investment against income tax and any profits will be free of capital gains tax, among several other benefits.
Douglas Marett, of the new firm, said: “Developments are now moving very quickly and it’s going to be a busy summer as we begin building and operating our first solar farm.”
The new venture has set itself ambitious targets over the coming years and believes it can generate cheap electricity – and make a positive contribution to the environment – with the focus of their work being in Romania.
