Crowdfunding is a way to raise funds by helping people who want to support your cause, business or project. If you don’t know about it, crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and GoFundMe allow you to share your idea with the public in exchange for donations that can help bring that idea to life. In Massachusetts (and elsewhere), there are also platforms designed specifically for small businesses or entrepreneurs seeking funding from their community. They are called “crowdsourcing” platforms because they can bring together investors from all over the world (or just across town).
1. Power2peer
Power2Per is a peer-to-peer lending platform that connects people with money to people who need money.
Borrowers can apply for loans on the website, and lenders can choose applicants who appear on the site’s “loan list”. Lenders will be able to search all available loans and select the ones they wish to finance. When a borrower accepts an offer, Power2peer initiates the credit check process and then sends funds directly into their bank accounts so they can start making payments immediately.
The company wants to make investing easier by allowing users to invest as little as at a time while earning higher returns compared to traditional investments like bonds or CDs.
2. Sixpence Crowdfunding
Sixpence Crowdfunding is a peer-to-peer lending platform that allows users to lend money to small businesses, nonprofits, and individuals. The platform uses a smart contract to hold funds and distribute payments.
Users can invest as little as in projects they find compelling or interesting. They can also apply for funding for their own project or idea on the site.
Crowdfunding is a popular way to get projects off the ground. It is also a great way for investors to make money from their savings.
3. Rockpoint Group
Rockpoint Group is a private investment firm with a focus on digital media, technology and consumer products. The company has invested in successful companies such as SixPence, GiveNendgo, Fundaise.com, Movie Pigs and others.
Rockpoint Group also offers entrepreneurial coaching services through its Boston-based subsidiary LaunchPad Holdings LLC.
Rockpoint Group was founded in 2010 by Rob Hochberg and Ken Anderson. The company has offices in Boston, New York and San Francisco.
4.Givendgo
GiveSendgo is a nonprofit crowdfunding platform that helps nonprofit organizations raise funds, mobilize volunteers, and engage communities.
GiveDengo was founded in 2013 as an open-source, web-based software tool to help nonprofits achieve their fundraising goals and connect with local businesses and individuals who want to support them. . Since then, thousands of nonprofits have raised millions through GiveDsgo’s donation platform.
The system allows you to easily register your cause or project on our website by filling out a short form and uploading photos/video files (if required). Then share it with family members, friends and community groups via social media or email. Everyone who shares your campaign will receive an automated email asking them if they would like to give a gift in honor of someone special who inspired them to give back!
5. Fundaise.com
Fundaise.com is a crowdfunding platform for non-profit organizations. It allows organizations to fundraise online and creates a way for people to give money directly to them.
The site was founded in 2012 in Cambridge, MA and it has raised over billion so far. Much of this money has been raised by nonprofit organizations that use the platform as a fundraising tool. The average donation on Fundaise.com is ,000 to ,000, but larger donations have been made too!
Fundaise.com is currently available in the United States and Canada. They plan to expand to the UK, Australia and New Zealand over the next few years.
6. Acorn Street Capital
Acorn Street Capital is a private equity firm that provides debt, equity and growth capital to early stage companies. Acorn Street Capital was founded in 2010 by former Bain & Company partners Charles S. Jacobs and Matt Levinson. Acorn Street Capital is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with offices in New York and Austin, Texas, as well as its corporate headquarters.
The company has invested in several notable companies including Newaer, R&R Partners, IROBOT and IMIME Automation.
Acorn Street Capital is an active investor in the technology and healthcare sectors. The company has invested in several notable companies including Newaer, R&R Partners, IROBOT and IMIME Automation. Acorn Street Capital was founded in 2010 by former Bain & Company partners Charles S. Jacobs and Matt Levinson.
7. Ballentine Partners, LLC
Ballentine Partners, LLC is a private equity firm that provides growth capital to small and midsize businesses. The firm invests in growing businesses in the manufacturing, distribution and healthcare sectors.
Ballentine Partners, LLC focuses on investing in Massachusetts regions, including the Boston, Worcester, and Cape Cod areas. The company currently has approximately billion in assets under management through its various investment strategies.
8. NEPC, LLC
NEPC, LLC was founded in 2002 and has grown to have over 10,000 customers. The company is a Boston-based financial services provider that helps small businesses with their finances and provides education to entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses. The main service of NEPC is to provide different types of loans and lines of credit for businesses.
The company was founded by Scott Epstein, and it is currently led by Chairman Dan Yamasaki. NEPC has received several awards over the years for its work with small businesses, including being named one of Boston’s Top 100 Most Influential Entrepreneurs and one of America’s Top Small Business Lenders.
9. Seraf
Seraf is a non-profit crowdfunding platform that helps charities raise funds. The platform was established in 1992 by Seraf USA, which is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping charities raise money for their cause.
As of March 2019, Seraf has raised over .5 billion in donations since its founding and has helped over 9 million people.
The platform is free and relies on donations. There are no fees associated with using the platform. Visit Seraf financing
10. Benefit Data
Advantage Data offers a wide range of products and services to help small businesses grow. They are one of the leading providers of financial services for small businesses, offering their customers invoice factoring, business credit cards, merchant cash advances, and more. If you’re looking for another source of funding for your next project or start-up business — or maybe something bigger — Advantage Data might be a perfect fit for you.
Benefit Data is also a great place to get help with your bookkeeping. They offer a wide range of services, including payroll processing, accounting and general ledger, tax filing, and more. If you’re not sure where to start or need help with a specific issue in your business, Advantage Data can provide advice on how to manage all aspects of your business finances.
11. Mellon Capital
Mellon Capital is a leading financial services company in Massachusetts, offering a wide range of financial products for businesses and individuals. Mellon Capital was founded in 2011 by David Baker and Matthew A. Smith – two entrepreneurs who previously worked together at a local bank. The company is located in Waltham, Massachusetts, which has been called “the heart of the innovation economy” by Forbes magazine due to its large number of technology companies, including Zipcar, TripAdvisor and Wayfair.
Mellon Capital offers personal loans under ,000; personal loans between ,000 and ,000; small business loans up to ,000; Invoice financing up to million; local equipment up to million; Cash flow management solutions from million to 0 million; 0M to B+ acquisition financing.
12. Movie Pigs
Movie Pigs is a crowdfunding platform that focuses on film and television. The company finances short films, documentaries, feature films and even TV shows.
The Movie Pigs has been around since 2006 and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The site has over 2 million success stories from all genres of cinema.
The company has helped over 6,000 projects get started, and it’s easy to see why. Movie Pigs is a great resource for filmmakers of all skill levels.
13. Line up a credit union
Align Credit Union is a community-focused financial institution that was founded in 2006 and serves Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Their mission is to provide a variety of banking products to members, from accounts and loans to mortgages and credit cards. They are also committed to helping their members improve their financial health, through education programs like Align Financial University or free budgeting tools like UmoneyCentral.
As an online bank with no physical branches, all of Align’s services are available 24/7 via your computer or mobile device – perfect for freelancers who need access to their accounts at all hours of the day. As long as you live in Massachusetts or New Hampshire (or maintain an address outside of those states), you can sign up for a free account with Align by downloading the app on Android or Apple Devices
14. Olmstead Associates
Olmstead Associates is a Boston-based investment firm that has raised over 0 million in capital, focused on investing in the cannabis industry. They have invested in companies like Mirth Provisions and Vidacann, which are expected to start selling recreational cannabis later this year.
The company’s founder and managing partner, Rhonda Patrick, specializes in nutritional biochemistry and is a frequent contributor to the health website Hack The System. She has also consulted with companies like Kind Snacks and Bamps Foods.
Conclusion
Crowdfunding and crowdsourcing are both powerful tools to raise funds for a specific cause or project, but they have their differences. Crowdfunding is usually an online method, while crowdsourcing involves generating ideas from people in the real world.