Envestors entices start-ups with crowdfunding control
UK-based Envestors is calling out to start-ups with the launch of its standalone equity crowdfunding platform – “the first to give control back to the entrepreneur”.
The Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform is targeted at start-ups and scale-ups to raise funds and manage investors from seed through to maturity. The platform, called Envestry for Scale-Ups, has a base of over 50 customers.
Cutting out the “middleman”
“What’s great about having our own platform is that we can maintain total control, we can communicate directly with investors, share our latest successes and monitor how the investment round is going whenever we want,” says Kate Collinson, head of communications at cybersecurity firm VzInternet.
Envestors’ plan is to cut out the “middleman” as its offering gives companies their own crowdfunding platform for the duration of the growth phase, “which will typically include three to five funding rounds”.
Firms can set their fundraising campaign length – such as a long campaign for a large raise, or a series of short micro raises.
Envestors wheels out another firm, Zap&Go, for promotion. The latter was an early Envestry for Scale-ups customer.
Simon Harris, investment director of Zap&Go, comments: “We were able to capitalise on this welcome ‘buzz’ and, through our platform, were able to connect to 137 investors, make 39 deals and raised a further £437,000.”
In terms of more details, the platform can be launched in less than one hour, has a data room with restricted document access to support investor due diligence, and regulatory cover (such as GDPR within the UK).
Envestors adds that it has raised £100 million for over 200 companies through its own private investor network.
It was founded in 2004 and is regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority. It has offices in the UK, the Channel Islands, the UAE and partners across China.
