Equity crowdfunding platform Crowdcube has set up the Crowdcube Venture Fund in partnership with Braveheart Investment Group.
The fund will be backing start-up and early-stage businesses which are listed on Crowdcube’s platform, under the management of Braveheart subsidiary Strathtay Ventures.
Darren Westlake, CEO and co-founder of Crowdcube, comments, ‘Our aim is to provide everyday investors with choice.
‘We’re giving them the option to invest in a fully-managed fund. This will appeal to investors who love the idea of equity crowdfunding as part of their investment strategy but don’t have the time, or inclination, to fully research opportunities and create their own diversified portfolio.’
Under the terms of the new fund, the minimum individual commitment will be £2,500 – with top-ups an option for investors over the two-year investment timescale.
Back in May 2013, Crowdcube raised £1.5 million through its own platform – valuing the business at £7.1 million.
Statistics recently released by Crowdcube showed that the equity platform has helped raise in excess of £17 million for 90 start-ups from more than 57,000 registered members.
More about Crowdcube:
- Taking the equity crowdfunding model and going global
- Eleven businesses backed in first year for Crowdcube
- Crowdcube inks FSA regulation
The new Crowdcube Venture Fund will be backing businesses which are registered for EIS/SEIS tax relief and will have an annual management fee alongside an initial set-up charge.
Geoffrey Thomson, chief executive of Braveheart, adds, ‘There are a number of investors who like the crowdfunding concept but who, for one reason or another, find the DIY route problematic. We hope they find this new initiative of interest.’
