Knowra Crowdfunding Crowdfunding Crowdfunding raises money for a project, business, cause, or individual from many contributors, often through an online platform. Contributors may donate, receive rewards, lend money, or invest for equity.
Donation-based crowdfunding : A crowdfunding model in which contributors give money without expecting financial or material returns. It is the simplest model: contributors support a campaign without receiving a product, repayment, or ownership.
Kickstarter : An online platform for funding creative projects, generally using a rewards-based, all-or-nothing model. It is a prominent example of crowdfunding for products and creative work.
Venture capital : Equity financing in which investment firms fund high-growth companies in exchange for ownership stakes. A small number of professional investors typically select companies, unlike crowdfunding’s many contributors.
Crowdfunding regulation : Laws and rules governing crowdfunding campaigns, platforms, and financial offerings. Rules shape investor protections, fundraising limits, disclosures, and platform responsibilities.
Open-source software : Software whose source code is available under licenses permitting inspection, modification, and redistribution. Its communities pioneered collective support for shared projects before crowdfunding platforms became widespread.
Reward-based crowdfunding : A crowdfunding model in which contributors receive nonfinancial rewards, often products or experiences. Campaigns often promise early access or other rewards instead of financial returns.
Indiegogo : An online crowdfunding platform that hosts campaigns for products, creative projects, and causes. Its campaigns illustrate how platforms can support different projects and funding arrangements.
Angel investor : An individual who invests personal money in an early-stage company, often in exchange for equity. Angel financing concentrates investment and negotiation in one person rather than a crowd.
Securities regulation : Laws governing the issuance, sale, and trading of financial investments. Equity crowdfunding can involve securities, bringing campaigns under financial-market rules.
ArtistShare : An online platform launched in 2003 that let fans finance music projects and receive access to their creation. It is an early example of an internet platform connecting creators directly with financial supporters.
Show all 25