5 best crowdfunding platforms for investing in startups

Crowdfunding has revolutionized the investment landscape, offering individuals the opportunity to participate in the growth of promising startups. Gone are the days when investing was exclusive to accredited investors and venture capital firms. Today, nearly anyone can become a part-owner of a business with the potential for returns down the road.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular crowdfunding platforms and how to leverage them to invest in small businesses.

What is crowdfunding?

Crowdfunding platforms connect entrepreneurs seeking capital with investors looking for new opportunities. These websites offer a variety of investment models, each with its own set of rules and rewards.

Crowdfunding has become popular with small businesses because it allows them to generate buzz around their product or service while simultaneously securing crucial funding. Crowdfunding also gives everyday people a chance to invest in promising startups without forking over thousands of dollars.

There are three main types of crowdfunding:

• Reward-based crowdfunding: Backers receive rewards, such as products or early access, in return for their contribution.
• Equity crowdfunding: Investors receive ownership shares in the company in exchange for their investment.
• Debt crowdfunding: Investors lend money to a company in exchange for interest payments. This model is similar to traditional lending but often with smaller loan amounts and a larger pool of lenders.

5 best crowdfunding platforms for investors

If you’re interested in getting in on the ground floor of a startup business, here are the five best crowdfunding platforms for investors.

1. Wefunder

Wefunder is an equity crowdfunding platform that connects investors with early-stage startups. The platform bills itself as “Kickstarter for investing.” However, you’re not supporting an artist or buying a product. Instead, you’re buying a stake in a company, hoping it will grow and increase the value of your investment over time.

If the startup succeeds and grows in value, the shares you own would also increase in value. You can potentially make money by selling your shares at a profit or through dividends if the company decides to offer them to shareholders. However, it’s important to remember that many startups fail, and you could lose your entire investment.

On Wefunder, you can browse through different companies, read their pitch decks and learn about their business models. Once you’ve picked a company you’re interested in, you can make your investment. The minimum investment amount typically starts at $100.

You can even use a self-directed IRA to invest in companies listed on Wefunder. According to the company, investors interested in contributing to their IRA through Wefunder can do so by utilizing STRATA Trust IRA.

However, investing in burgeoning companies can be risky business. As it notes on its website: “Every investment listed on Wefunder is riskier than a public company listed on the stock market.” So only invest what you’re willing to lose.

Wefunder charges investors transaction fees. For bank transfers (ACH, wire or check), the fee is 2 percent of the investment amount, with a minimum fee of $8 and a maximum of $150. Credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay payments incur a 5.5 percent fee plus a flat $2 fee, with a minimum of $10.

2. StartEngine

StartEngine is one of the largest equity crowdfunding platforms in the U.S. and claims to have raised over $500 million for over 500 company offerings on its platform since it was founded in 2014. In 2023, StartEnginge acquired SeedInvest, a competing equity crowdfunding platform.

For investors interested in equity crowdfunding, StartEngine provides a robust platform with minimum investments as low as $40. With a wide range of startups across multiple industries, investors can explore budding businesses in sectors ranging from technology and consumer products to health care and renewable energy. StartEngine also provides tools to help investors assess company performance and track their portfolio.

StartEngine offers two ways for investors to participate in the growth of new companies: investing and trading.

Investing

• When you invest in a company on StartEngine, you’re essentially purchasing securities directly from the startup through their campaign page.
• You’ll receive equity (ownership) or debt (loan with interest) in the company based on the specific offering.
• Investing typically involves a longer-term commitment as the company grows and develops.

Trading

• Companies that have already raised funds through equity crowdfunding can list their shares for trading on StartEngine Secondary. This is a peer-to-peer platform where investors buy and sell these existing shares alongside other investors.
• Trading offers greater liquidity than investing, so you can buy and sell shares potentially faster, according to the company. However, the availability of buyers varies.

Many opportunities are free for investors on StartEngine, though some companies raising money may ask investors to pay all or part of the 3.5 percent processing fee. Your bank may also charge for a wire transfer, but ACH and credit cards are free unless noted.

StartEngine also offers a premium membership called Venture Club. For an annual fee of $275, members receive a 10 percent bonus on shares purchased in participating campaigns, along with other perks. However, it’s important to note that Venture Club membership is a separate purchase from investments and doesn’t guarantee investment success.

3. Fundrise

Fundrise is one of the most popular real estate crowdfunding platforms. Traditionally, real estate investments were usually only available to high-net-worth individuals and institutions. However, Fundrise has opened the doors for everyday investors to participate in this asset class.

Investors can profit from Fundrise in two ways: dividends and appreciation. Dividends are regular payments from rental income or other property earnings. Appreciation is the increase in property value over time. Fundrise offers plans focused on either income or growth, or investors can create a custom mix of both.

While Fundrise offers a compelling opportunity to tap into real estate, it’s essential to recognize that your money can be locked in for several years. This liquidity constraint might not be suitable for all investors.

Fundrise charges investors multiple fees. In addition to a 0.15 percent advisory fee, there’s a 0.85 percent annual management fee for real estate funds, and a higher 1.85 percent fee for those who decide to opt into the company’s Innovation Fund.These fees might seem steep compared to the often-lower costs of ETFs and mutual funds, which can include no-fee options.

You can get started for as little as $10 in cash or $1,000 if you go through an individual retirement account.

4. Honeycomb Credit

Honeycomb Credit is a crowdfunding platform that connects local businesses with community investors.

Investors can browse through business profiles on the platform. Each business displays a funding request, outlining its plans for the borrowed money. Investors can choose to support businesses they believe in by contributing to their loan. The platform typically offers a minimum investment amount of $100, allowing individuals to participate with relatively little money.

Investors primarily earn a return on Honeycomb Credit through promissory notes. Investors lend money to a business and receive fixed interest payments over a specified term (usually three to five years). The interest rates usually range from 6 percent to 14 percent annually, according to the company. The business makes monthly payments, which are then distributed to investors quarterly.

Honeycomb charges a transaction fee on each investment. The fee is 2.85 percent of your total investment amount, with a maximum fee of $37.25.

Keep in mind that investing through Honeycomb Credit involves substantial risk. The businesses listed on the platform are usually small and have limited resources, so there’s a big chance these companies may not be able to repay their loans in full, or at all. So it’s possible to lose your entire investment.

5. FranShares

FranShares is a crowdfunding platform founded in 2020 that makes franchise investing accessible for everyday investors. Instead of requiring millions of dollars to open a franchise, FranShares allows individuals to invest as little as $500 in shares of existing profitable franchises.

FranShares partners with established franchise brands to offer fractional ownership opportunities. Once a franchise is listed, investors can purchase shares, becoming part-owners. The franchise continues to operate as usual, generating revenue. A portion of the profits is then distributed to shareholders as dividends.

Additionally, the value of shares could appreciate if the franchise’s performance improves, leading to capital gains when shares are sold.

Income funds typically hold franchises for 10 to 15 years, while growth funds have a target holding period of five to seven years. After the sale of a franchise, investors receive a proportionate share of the net proceeds.

Investors can expect to receive distributions quarterly, semi-annually or annually, based on the specific offering. FranShares imposes a one-time acquisition fee of $500 and an annual fee of $100 per investment.

Investor protections and how crowdfunding platforms are regulated

Crowdfunding platforms are subject to specific regulations designed to protect investors. The JOBS Act of 2012 introduced Title III, which established crowdfunding provisions. FINRA, a not-for-profit organization that helps regulate the U.S. securities industry, oversees crowdfunding platforms to ensure they comply with federal laws and regulations.

Some investor protections on crowdfunding platforms include:

• Limits on how much non-accredited investors — that’s most investors, by the way — can invest in crowdfunding offerings within a 12-month period. The amount is based on income and net worth.
• Crowdfunding platforms must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission and FINRA to ensure compliance with securities laws.
• Companies offering securities through crowdfunding must provide detailed information about their business, financial condition and risks in a document called Form C.
• Investors have a 48-hour period to cancel their investment before the offering closes.

While regulations provide a safety net, you should always conduct thorough research before investing. Understanding the risks involved and diversifying your portfolio are important. You can also check the registration status of a crowdfunding platform on FINRA’s Funding Portals page.

Bottom line

Crowdfunding platforms offer an accessible way for investors to get in on the ground floor of early-stage companies and real estate projects. However, these investments carry higher risk than traditional securities, like stocks and bonds. It’s crucial to conduct thorough research, understand the specific platform’s offerings and fees, and diversify your portfolio to manage risk. Ultimately, crowdfunding should be considered just one part of a balanced investment strategy.

Editorial Disclaimer: All investors are advised to conduct their own independent research into investment strategies before making an investment decision. In addition, investors are advised that past investment product performance is no guarantee of future price appreciation.