'Rich Man's Crowd Funding'

Private Equity, funds, angel networks and broker dealers are embracing the technology underpinning crowdfunding with its standards of deal presentation and distribution channels to potential investors. According to Jouko Ahvenainen, Chairman and co-founder of Grow VC, “At Grow VC Group we work with many broker dealers to offer our platform as a service for their use.

How To Go Public Without Middlemen: Top 2 Options

Direct Public Offerings (DPO) come in various formats that entrepreneurs can utilize to go public without broker dealers or costly compliance costs. It is worth it for entrepreneurs to learn about which are the two most common direct public offerings, as Ben & Jerry’s was one of these success stories. As opposed to Initial Public Offering, the DPO removes middlemen and allows issuers to sell stock directly to investors that may not be accredited investors.

Immigration Reform Will Get You Cash

The Startup Act 2.0 originated by Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) and now joined by Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) will be the hot topic Jan. 2013. The Startup Visa Act is out as the originators were not re-elected. However, the Startup Act 2.0 needs serious changes which will allow us to import more capital from abroad.

2013: What's In Store For Crowdfunding And Angel Investors

CrowdFunding will lead the way! The first half of 2013 will be a time when self-assessed delivery, customer and consumer communication and angel experience in quality control and supply chain operations will become key topics. Governance topics will evolve subsequently by Q3 2013.

Crowdfunding Will Make 2013 The Year Of The Gold Rush

While 2012 was an amazing year for crowdfunding, 2013 should outdo it. Crowdfunding was exploding quietly in 2012 for the non-believers and loudly for the embracers between March 8, 2012 and President’s Obama signing of the JOBS Act into law on April 5, 2012. Some of the largest sites in the world for rewards and donations – Kickstarter, Indiegogo, Grow VC and Rockethub – saw their daily traffic and donation amounts double within a few months..

PE Predictions for 2013

We had slower than expected growth in 2012, yet we grew more than the other contracting markets of China and Europe. The promises and outlook for 2013 during Thomson Reuters’ Buyout Dallas Conference last fall saw close to 50% of the General Partners with a neutral to slightly improving 2013. Not exactly a healthy dose of optimism.

Importing Brain Capital with EB6

Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) introduced a Start-Up Visa Act earlier this year. This has legs and in essence is responding to a need in the Green Card Immigration Visa program. The current EB5 visa allows up to 10,000 investors spending $500,000-$1,000,000 in a US company or realty investment to get a two year temporary green card for themselves and their children under 21.

A Storm is Coming: PE Funds Fall Under Reg D 506 C

In spite of prior delays, on August 29, 2012, the Securities and Exchange Commission finally issued its first proposals for rules under the Jobs Act that would relax general solicitation for accredited investors. Signed into law on April 5, the Jumpstart Our Business Start-ups (JOBS) Act makes revolutionary changes to federal security laws that are over 70 years old.

1000 Days for a EU JOBS Act

The European Crowdfunding Network is in Brussels at the EU Workshop organized by the European Commission’s DG Connect and DG Enterprise & Industry. SecondMarket, Symbid, GrowVC and Indiegogo are the other participants on the event who are talking about legalizing crowd funding for equity in Europe. DG Connect is the Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, aka DG CNECT. DG Enterprise & Industry “works on creating an environment in which European firms can thrive.

Summary and Highlights: 2012 SEC Government-Business Forum on Small Business Capital Formation Program

Close to 200 people participated in the SEC public hearing on Small Business Capital Formation last Thursday. The morning workshop covered the JOBS Act implementation (which includes crowd funding) while the afternoon panel dealt with capital formation issues not covered by the JOBS Act. Crowd funding had, by far, the largest turnout. It was the biggest issue and it and the least noticed Regulation D 506 c were fervently covered.

Obama’s 10 Steps with SEC & FINRA to Legalize US Equity Crowd Funding

Crowd funding for equity won’t be ready till Q4 2013 at the earliest and my guess is that implementation will be closer to Q1 2014. Let me walk you through my thinking around this. SEC Chair Mary Schapiro will resign by year end. No proposal will be submitted until a new Chair is chosen. Granted that Mary was quickly chosen during the financial crisis and there was no lapse in time between Chairs, but Obama will pick a Democratic Chair to end the polarization that has not been endured at SEC Commissioner level for over 30 years.

JOBS Act Interview with Chance Barnett, CEO of CrowdFunder

To probe the legal intricacies revolving around the JOBS Act and how these new laws might impact the crowd funding scene in the next months leading to and right after the much-anticipated full implementation of crowd funding for equity, David Drake spoke with Chance Barnett, CEO of CrowdFunder, a platform that enables businesses to raise equity and revenue-based financing. This exciting venture will allow everyday Americans to, for the first time, participate and invest in companies and founders they believe in, while providing small businesses with the guidance and training necessary to establish a successful future and accelerate the rebuilding of the American economy.

A Closer Look at the Impact of the JOBS Act and Dodd-Frank Act

Thomson Reuters asked The Soho Loft to speak on the JOBS Act and Dodd-Frank Act at their Buyouts Conference in Dallas, Texas recently. We felt Dodd Frank’s financial overhaul created two years ago is displaced as today we are focused on the potential for job creation the JOBS Act brought. SMEs represent over 99% of US employer firms and speakers felt Dodd-Frank is poorly written and implemented. It seemed to be a consensus that there were too many chefs in the kitchen when implementing the Dodd Frank Act. In addition, regulating big banks must take the small players into account since those companies stand for the job creation.”

JOBS Act Interview: Vince Molinari, CEO of Gate Technologies

To probe the legal intricacies revolving around the JOBS Act and how these new laws impact the crowdfunding scene in the next months leading to and right after its much-anticipated full implementation, David Drake spoke with Vince Molinari, CEO of Gate Technologies, who moderated the Crowdfunding panel last Nov 14, 2012 SEC public hearing on Government-Small Business forum on Small Business Capital Formation Program. Mr. Molinari is one of the Top Ten Most Influential People in Crowdfunding and the driving force behind GATE Impact.

JOBS Act: Interview with Douglas Ellenoff of Ellenoff, Grossman & Schole LLP

To probe the legal intricacies revolving around the JOBS Act and how these new laws impact the crowdfunding scene in the next months leading to and right after its much-anticipated full implementation, Equities.com spoke with Douglas Ellenoff of Ellenoff, Grossman & Scholle LLP. Ellenoff has represented public companies in connection with their initial public offerings, secondary public offerings, regulatory compliance as well as general corporate governance matters. During his career, he has represented numerous broker-dealers, venture capital investor groups and many corporations involved in the capital formation process.

The JOBS Act: A Paradigm Shift the World Has Never Seen

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Mary Schapiro supported the proposal to remove the solicitation ban of Regulation D, exemption 506 last Wednesday Aug. 29 in Washingotn DC. “I recognize that there are very real concerns about the potential impact of lifting the ban on general solicitation,” SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro said. “While I’m prepared to bring forward today’s narrow proposal, I look forward to the continued examination of this critically important market.”

How Crowdfunding is Disrupting the “Old Boys” Network

Crowdfunding for projects and companies is nothing new. In the online arena, however, it is quite young. In 1997, fans of the UK rock group Marillion ran the first recognized internet crowdfunding campaign, raising $60,000 to underwrite the band’s tour of the US. In the years since, other artists have also reached out to their fan bases and successfully invited supporters to finance their recordings and/or tours.

JOBS Act: Interview with Scott Purcell, CEO of Arctic Island

To probe the legal intricacies revolving around the JOBS Act and how these new laws might impact the crowdfunding scene in the next months leading to and right after the much-anticipated full implementation of crowdfunding for equity, David Drake spoke with Scott Purcell, CEO of Arctic Island.

April 25, 2011

Renewable energy clients and investors are looking towards the US and are asking "LDJ" for investment advise. "The upheaval in the Middle East has prompted money to leave faster and even more so towards the US and BRIC markets. It has been positive for the capital markets the last few months and we are seeing significant activity specifically from Saudi and the UAE, not limited to renewable energy but also in areas of affordable housing, technology investments with focus on capital preservation. In time of global or regional stress, the US has and always remain the top capital preservation alternative." says "David Drake".

March 20, 2011

"LDJ" is growing the secondary market division. "We see IPOs now taking 10 years on average versus 6 years a decade ago. There is a demand for private company fund raising and share holder liquidity prior to an IPO. The top 5 firms in the space like SharePost, Gate Technology and Secondary Market are at the forefront. We are advising half a dozen private firms with at least $20 million plus in revenue to navigate and create investor share liquidity."

Feb 23, 2011

"LDJ" advises on the world's first green real estate fund of fund. "Institutions primarily in Scandinavia, Western Europe and the US are demanding socially and environmentally responsible investment portfolio fund strategies in real estate and this product does not yet exist for the institutional investor. We are fulfilling this demand."

Jan 15, 2011

"LDJ" are receiving half a dozen new engagements in Q1 in relation to capital introduction and investor relations. "Advisory work with family offices, sovereign wealth funds and high net worth investors looks very promising in 2011" comments "David Drake".

Nov. 30, 2010

30 days in the Middle East solidified new partnerships and successfully allowed "LDJ" to sign a memorandum of understanding for a $300 million retrofit ESCO financing fund with a large family office in Dubai. $20 million has a soft commitment.

Oct 24, 2010

"We are excited to solidify more and more Middle Eastern capital resources with our month long road trip to the UAE and Bahrain in November." says "David Drake".

Sept 19, 2010

Fund of fund engagements are signed with European and Middle Eastern partners choosing to work with "LDJ Capital" for US and Asian market expansion.

June 29, 2010

"LDJ Capital" meets with a dozen Fund of Funds in Europe mainly in Switzerland, the UK and France. A six week road trip opens the door to the pre-eminent family offices and fund of funds seeking strong management a positive investment history in private equity funds and hedge funds.

May 21, 2010

"LDJ Capital" takes a board seat with the Green Merchant Bank NCG.
Mr.Hambrecht is excited about the potential financial platform NCG will offer green service companies focused on retrofitting built real estate. "There is a vacuum in an extremely fast growing green industry with challenging financial solutions that NCG is solving from a Top-to-Bottom approach as opposed to the historically bottom up sales approach." says "David Drake"

April 25, 2011

Renewable energy clients and investors are looking towards the US and are asking "LDJ" for investment advise. "The upheaval in the Middle East has prompted money to leave faster and even more so towards the US and BRIC markets. It has been positive for the capital markets the last few months and we are seeing significant activity specifically from Saudi and the UAE, not limited to renewable energy but also in areas of affordable housing, technology investments with focus on capital preservation. In time of global or regional stress, the US has and always remain the top capital preservation alternative." says "David Drake"

March 20, 2011

"LDJ" is growing the secondary market division. "We see IPOs now taking 10 years on average versus 6 years a decade ago. There is a demand for private company fund raising and share holder liquidity prior to an IPO. The top 5 firms in the space like SharePost, Gate Technology and Secondary Market are at the forefront. We are advising half a dozen private firms with at least $20 million plus in revenue to navigate and create investor share liquidity".

Feb 23, 2011

"LDJ" advises on the world's first green real estate fund of fund. "Institutions primarily in Scandinavia, Western Europe and the US are demanding socially and environmentally responsible investment portfolio fund strategies in real estate and this product does not yet exist for the institutional investor.We are fulfilling this demand."

Jan 15, 2011

"LDJ" are receiving half a dozen new engagements in Q1 in relation to capital introduction and investor relations. "Advisory work with family offices, sovereign wealth funds and high net worth investors looks very promising in 2011" comments "David Drake".

Nov 30, 2010

30 days in the Middle East solidified new partnerships and successfully allowed "LDJ" to sign a memorandum of understanding for a $300 million retrofit ESCO financing fund with a large family office in Dubai. $20 million has a soft commitment.

Oct 24, 2010

"We are excited to solidify more and more Middle Eastern capital resources with our month long road trip to the UAE and Bahrain in November." says "David Drake".

Sept 19, 2010

Fund of fund engagements are signed with European and Middle Eastern partners choosing to work with "LDJ Capital" for US and Asian market expansion.

June 29, 2010

""LDJ Capital" meets with a dozen Fund of Funds in Europe mainly in Switzerland, the UK and France. A six week road trip opens the door to the pre-eminent family offices and fund of funds seeking strong management a positive investment history in private equity funds and hedge funds.