In another record quarter and in further evidence that the sector is now a mainstream funding option, leading equity crowdfunding platform Crowdcube enabled 29 fast growing business to raise over £23 million, 2.7 times the nearest competitor according to latest figures. The Q1 figures put the business on a trajectory to beat last year’s investment record of over £80 million raised.
Luke Lang, co-founder of Crowdcube, commented: “This record start to 2017 shows how established growth-stage businesses, seasoned entrepreneurs and institutional investors trust Crowdcube with the big, more complex fundraises, while investors know we’re the place to find exciting, often VC-backed, investment opportunities.”
Despite the looming Brexit negotiations, Crowdcube is looking to mainland Europe to meet demand from founders of venture and growth stage businesses who are keen to raise funds in from its 400,000 strong investor base in the UK and gain access a more liquid financial services market.
Luke Lang added: “We feel it is the time to expand our operations outside of Spain where we are already well established as the largest crowdfunder and offer our investors the opportunity to have greater exposure to other markets. Despite posturing from some EU leaders, we’re confident Britain will retain its position as a financial services powerhouse because of its innovation and flexible regulatory regime.
“The success of UK crowdfunding is the envy of Europe and fintech has even fewer borders than traditional finance. In a modern, connected world there is a huge opportunity to offer UK equity crowdfunding for smaller EU based businesses who through our platform would have access to the largest Europe’s largest crowdfunding community of over 390,000 investors. We are still hammering out the details so watch this space.”
