The power of the crowd has created a new normal. Did you ever imagine that one day we'd be fighting for the right to ride in a stranger's car? Or that you'd hand over your apartment keys to someone you've only met online?
Nowadays, we've come to rely on those personal interactions, and we're connecting with people and sharing experiences in totally new ways.
Small businesses have also begun connecting with people on a deeper level than just doing business. With a new twist on crowdfunding, you can join a business in its financial growth and make real investments, not just donations.
When The Brewer's Table planned on opening Austin's first oak-barrel brewery and restaurant, it got traditional financing from large private investors and banks. But the founders wanted to get more people involved because they believed that community is what makes the food and beer experience. So, they decided to try something that got them additional funds while also generating buzz and creating advocates.
The Brewer's Table raised $300,000 through investment crowdfunding in just 8 weeks. Nearly two hundred people participated, investing in a business they were excited about.
NextSeed is a new crowdfunding platform that makes it easy to invest in places you already love or in new concepts in your area.
In San Francisco, an experienced team of restaurateurs is launching a new project. Located in the new Hotel Zeppelin just a block from Union Square, Rambler will be a modern Americana restaurant serving locals and hotel guests. With their NextSeed offering, they now have an open invitation out to anyone who wants to join them.
Due to recent changes in the law, people of all income levels can now come together and support business owners they believe in. NextSeed carefully reviews every deal before presenting one to investors. Investors learn about each deal and choose the ones they want to connect with and help grow. Each investment varies, but investors could start seeing monthly payments from their investments in as little as a few months.
Investors in The Brewer's Table didn't need deep pockets to contribute – investments started at $100. The business connected with investors by giving them VIP perks like gift cards and party invitations.
The secret to The Brewer's Table's success and satisfaction with crowdfunding was the community.
Instead of borrowing from an institution that only cared about getting payments, they invited people from the community to be invested in their success.
Although NextSeed is new, community financing harks back to a more down-to-earth way of building a business before big banks took over. Now, San Franciscans are empowered to invest in local bars, restaurants, salons and other places they are passionate about.
For more information on active campaigns, visit NextSeed.
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Any views expressed in this article reflect the personal views of the author only for discussion purposes and should not be viewed as investment advice or recommendation, and does not constitute any legal or tax advice with respect to any securities.
