Unique crowdfunding programme launches in SW

Crowd10, a crowdfunding initiative aimed at helping ambitious start-up businesses to grow, is being launched in Bristol.

Crowd10, which has been developed by crowdfunding experts IdeaSquares, will shine a light on ten of the most exciting start-ups in the South West region.

Kirsty Ranger, Founder of IdeaSquares, explained: “Equity crowdfunding is an increasingly popular method of funding for start-ups. It allows entrepreneurs to harness the power of their own network by giving their friends, family members, customers and suppliers the opportunity to become part of the future of their business.

“A successful crowdfunding campaign has the potential to provide businesses with a new crowd of brand ambassadors and supporters. If you’re an innovative South West start-up seeking up to £150k of equity funding to make significant progress with your business, we’re looking forward to working with you.”

Crowd10 is aimed at early stage start-ups based or registered in the South West of England that are seeking funding to make significant progress with their business. Applications are currently open for the project, which is the first of its kind in the UK, and will be assessed on a first come, first served basis. The first 15 to 20 applicants that pass IdeaSquares’ initial consultation will go through to the next stage of the project so interested businesses are encouraged to apply early to avoid disappointment.

The 15 to 20 successful applicants will be supported towards launching an equity crowdfunding campaign on one of the UK's leading platforms, Crowdcube.

These will be whittled down to 10 finalists who will be announced in May and will receive full support throughout their campaign, which will launch in early June. As well as benefiting from a rigorous four-week training programme they will receive one-to-one support from IdeaSquares, legal support from TLT, a full multi-channel marketing plan, a one-to-one PR profiling session with Shooting Star, discounted videography and much more.

They will also be given an opportunity to pitch their business to a room full of investors at a live showcase event at the Engine Shed in Bristol.

Crowd10 is sponsored by Invest Bristol & Bath and FD works. The campaign is also supported by familiar names in the South West business community, including Dirty Design, Simpleweb, Webstart, TLT, TechSpark, DeskLodge, Shooting Star, and Engine Shed.

Luke Lang, Co-Founder of Crowdcube, said: “To date Crowdcube has raised over £150 million for over 300 businesses, 28% of which are start-ups raising seed-stage investment. Our partnership with Crowd10 will enable us to continue building on a track record of success when it comes to funding start-up and early stage businesses by giving budding entrepreneurs a platform to raise the finance needed to turn their idea into a reality. As a proud South West-based business we’re looking forward to working with some of the region’s promising entrepreneurs.”

Businesses who are interested in taking part in Crowd10 can apply online at crowd10sw.ideasquares.com. There is a processing fee of £10 per start-up. Potential applicants are also invited to email their questions directly to crowd10@ideasquares.com.
Interested parties are also invited to attend a Crowd10 launch event at DeskLodge, Bristol, on 13th April 2016 at 10am, where they will be able to meet the people behind the initiative and ask questions. Members of the media are also invited. For more information or to confirm your attendance please contact sarahjane@weareshootingstar.co.uk