This is Exeter -- Equity crowdfunding platform Crowdcube is preparing to launch in Italy, Spain and New Zealand in the latest phase of its international expansion. The Exeter-based company, which enables armchair investors to buy shares in small or start-up businesses seeking capital for growth, will launch operations in all three countries in early 2014. Its latest tie-up with Xandas in Italy means Crowdcube has now signed partnership agreements in seven countries. The expansion is funded with £1.5m of growth capital raised in just three days earlier this year using their own equity crowdfunding website. Crowdcube has already established joint venture agreements in Brazil, Sweden, Dubai and Poland, highlighting the interest and demand for alternative sources of funding around the world. Crowdcube Sweden launched earlier this year and operations in Brazil, Poland and Dubai are expected to go live early in 2014. Darren Westlake, CEO and co-founder of Crowdcube, said: "To successfully expand internationally it's vital to have a strong presence at a local level, and this is why joint venture partnerships are an important aspect of our strategy for long term success. "We've built a well-regarded brand – not just in the UK but also abroad, a powerful technology platform, and a wealth of knowledge and experience of equity crowdfunding that is second to none. However, people who understand the local culture and are already immersed in the start-up and investment scene are critical for success: it is not sufficient simply to build a website and hope that people come – we all know it takes more than that." Since Crowdcube launched in February 2011, 83 pitches have raised a total of more than £16m from more than 50,000 investors. Darren added: "We've been accepting investments from overseas investors in businesses on our UK site for some time now, but for equity crowdfunding to really take off people need to be able to invest in national businesses as well as overseas ventures." Fabio Pezzotti, CEO of Xandas, said: "We are delighted to partner with Europe's leading equity crowdfunding platform, Crowdcube. Italy, which became the first country in Europe to implement equity crowdfunding laws early this year, has tremendous potential. "Our knowledge of the local start-up and investor eco-system and Italian financial regulations combined with Crowdcube's state-of-the-art technology and know-how means we can rapidly launch and make a real impact in Italy, akin to what Crowdcube has achieved in the UK." Crowdcube expects further agreements to be signed in 2014 and is already seeking potential partners in France, Germany, Canada and the USA.
Reported by This is 12 hours ago.
This is Exeter -- Equity crowdfunding platform Crowdcube is preparing to launch in Italy, Spain and New Zealand in the latest phase of its international expansion. The Exeter-based company, which enables armchair investors to buy shares in small or start-up businesses seeking capital for growth, will launch operations in all three countries in early 2014. Its latest tie-up with Xandas in Italy means Crowdcube has now signed partnership agreements in seven countries. The expansion is funded with £1.5m of growth capital raised in just three days earlier this year using their own equity crowdfunding website. Crowdcube has already established joint venture agreements in Brazil, Sweden, Dubai and Poland, highlighting the interest and demand for alternative sources of funding around the world. Crowdcube Sweden launched earlier this year and operations in Brazil, Poland and Dubai are expected to go live early in 2014. Darren Westlake, CEO and co-founder of Crowdcube, said: "To successfully expand internationally it's vital to have a strong presence at a local level, and this is why joint venture partnerships are an important aspect of our strategy for long term success. "We've built a well-regarded brand – not just in the UK but also abroad, a powerful technology platform, and a wealth of knowledge and experience of equity crowdfunding that is second to none. However, people who understand the local culture and are already immersed in the start-up and investment scene are critical for success: it is not sufficient simply to build a website and hope that people come – we all know it takes more than that." Since Crowdcube launched in February 2011, 83 pitches have raised a total of more than £16m from more than 50,000 investors. Darren added: "We've been accepting investments from overseas investors in businesses on our UK site for some time now, but for equity crowdfunding to really take off people need to be able to invest in national businesses as well as overseas ventures." Fabio Pezzotti, CEO of Xandas, said: "We are delighted to partner with Europe's leading equity crowdfunding platform, Crowdcube. Italy, which became the first country in Europe to implement equity crowdfunding laws early this year, has tremendous potential. "Our knowledge of the local start-up and investor eco-system and Italian financial regulations combined with Crowdcube's state-of-the-art technology and know-how means we can rapidly launch and make a real impact in Italy, akin to what Crowdcube has achieved in the UK." Crowdcube expects further agreements to be signed in 2014 and is already seeking potential partners in France, Germany, Canada and the USA.
Reported by This is 12 hours ago.