The UK Crowdfunding Association will offer an evening symposium exploring the pitfalls of crowdfunding.

 “Back in October 2014, we held the first sell-out event of ‘How NOT to do crowdfunding!’, and we’re delighted to announce that we’re bringing it back in February by popular demand!

“Hear direct from the experts, who have been there and done it, share their lessons learnt in an energetic, quick-fire style – What would they do differently next time? What top tips do they wish someone had told them before? And how should you NOT do crowdfunding?”

The event takes place in London on March 10, from 6pm. Admission costs £22.97 though current UK Crowdfunding Association Members and Supporters are entitled to 2 x free tickets each.

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The first crowdfunding conference dedicated to renewable energy takes place on October 30. The Renewable Energy Crowdfunding Conference will be held at Dexter House, London and is organised by Solarplaza. It aims to connect crowdfunding leaders with developers, investors and funders interested in the sector.

The crowd needs energy

Crowdfunding is becoming a recognised source of finance for renewable energy projects. Investors like the sector because it offers recurring income while communities are embracing such projects to help them develop off the grid.

“The Renewable Energy Crowdfunding Conference provides an excellent platform to meet like-minded individuals from across the sector. Delegates have the opportunity to learn about this unique type of investment from individuals and organisations who have already benefited,” said Paul van der Linden, Solarplaza VP.

Energy switches on to crowdfunding

The success of the Mosaic and Abundance crowdfunding platforms for such projects means the two platforms have already raised $8 million and $10 million respectively since launch. Rooftop solar projects are predicted to attract $5 billion in investment via crowdfunding platforms within five years, Solarplaza states.

Solarplaza’s Energy Crowdfunding Conference will include four sessions:

• Shaping the context
• Working the system
• Crowdfunding in practice
• The future of renewable energy crowdfunding

Those attending the conference will also meet with experts from the largest renewable energy crowdfunding platforms, Mosaic, and also Windcentrale: the largest crowdfunding platform in the sector.

Inside look

Over 50 industry leaders have confirmed their involvement, including Mosaic, Abundance Generation, Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Trillion Fund, Palmetto, res and Statkraft.

According to the conference website the top five renewable energy crowdfunding platforms include:

• Windcentrale
• Abundance Generation
• Mosaic
• Trillion Fund
• Gencommunity

Tickets can be purchased at discounted price of £199 until 31 August 2014, a saving of £100. For more information about the conference and to book tickets visit www.recrowdfunding.eu.

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A crash course in alternative lending options hosted by New York’s Department of Small Business Services that aims to explain the different types of investors: Angel, VC and private.

You will learn about:

• The different types of investors: Angel, Venture Capitalist, Private

• How to approach investors and what they look for where choosing to invest

• What is a pitch?

• Different equity options when working with partners and investors

• Using crowdfunding as a source to fund projects or fill a funding gap

• The science to a successful crowdfunding campaign.

All thanks to NYC business support.

NYC say…

“Taking out a line-of-credit or term loan for your business may not be right for your business. Find out what types of alternative lending options are available to business owners as well as how to find them. Learning what types of investors are out there can help you make informative decisions about partnerships and business growth. Choosing an alternative lending solution for your business needs will keep your cash flow current without cutting into your bottom line! In this course, attendees will learn about various financing options, seizing the opportunity, as well as rules for building healthy financing relationships.”

This NYC event is free and you can sign up here.

Image c/o Vincent Desjardins/Flickr

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Sponsored by the City of London, Starting a Crowdfunding Business (£5/ticket) is aimed at those who already run or are planning to launch new crowdfunding platforms.

The event consists of a seminar with Governance, Risk and Compliance advisor, Jay Tikam, of Vedanvi Business and Risk Consultancy. Jay will explain how crowd funding businesses can become authorised with the Financial Conduct Authority, and how you can exploit that status once you achieve it.

From the event publicity:

“Crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending is booming at an exponential rate. Recent research revealed that, globally, a new crowdfunding project is created every three minutes, with around 500 new projects created every day. The industry is currently doubling every sixty days!”

“Technology and funding, previously the biggest barriers to entry, are now no longer preventing entry of new players in this market place. The biggest obstacle now is getting through regulatory approval.”

Get your tickets at Eventbrite.

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Angels Den is running another of its successful one-to-one funding events in Central London this July, aiming to link fund seekers with angel investors and high net worth individuals seeking new investments.

Speedfunding takes place Wednesday July 2 at 17:30.

Angels Den explains it thus: “The concept is rather like Speed Dating. Entrepreneurs will be given the opportunity to pitch their business for 3 minutes to one potential investor at a time. The investor has the chance to ask the business owner any burning questions before they move straight on to the next potential investor. It’s a fast-paced and energetic atmosphere.

The event lasts three hours. Angels Den seeks up to six businesses who will be able to introduce themselves, host question and answer sessions and get some feedback. More information.

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Sponsored by Indiegogo the Go Crowdfund Britain tour aims to raise a million pounds to get some of Britain’s best ideas and coolest inventions off the ground this year. It’s a series of free events that’s visiting UK cities across three weeks starting June 23.

The events are aimed at people seeking crowd funding support, so should be a good meet and greet opportunity for interested investors. Indiegogo will be joined by experts and partners who will provide insights and advice to those who turn up.

“Great Britain is a nation of innovation but Britons are being stifled by a lack of available finance,” said UK Marketing and Community Manager Anastasia Emmanuel.” Through the power of Indiegogo, we want to see kitchen table businesses thrive, nurture new inventions, support amazing causes and stimulate Britons to fulfil their entrepreneurial ambitions and creative dreams.”

The tour is visting 10 cities around Britain, ending up in Edinburgh on 10 July 2014:

• Manchester (TechHub): June 23, 2014
• Birmingham (Fazeley Studios): June 24, 2014
• Swansea (TechHub): June 26, 2014
• Bristol (The Engine Shed): June 27, 2014
• Norwich (Sync Norwich): June 30, 2014
• Nottingham (Venue TBC): July 1, 2014
• Sheffield (Sheffield University): July 3, 2014
• Leeds (Tetley): July 6, 2014
• Newcastle (Campus North): July 8, 2014
• Edinburgh (TechCube): July 10, 2014

The tour also sees a special event in November as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2014.

To take a look at campaigns chosen for inclusion in the series of events you will be able to visit the GoCrowdfundBritain pages on Indiegogo’s site. Meanwhile you can pick up tickets on Eventbrite.

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