A growing number of online portals are bringing together private companies and investors. They include:
- AngelList: It has been used by more than 1,000 companies to find accredited investors — often a mix of “angels” and venture capitalists, but smaller investors can play, too.
- CircleUp: San Francisco startup specializes in helping inventors of consumer products such as pet food and organic snacks find investors.
- Crowdtilt: “Groupfunding” site backed by Y Combinator lets groups of friends launch funding campaigns for projects or purchases; money is collected via credit card, and the site takes a cut.
- FundAnything: The site launched by Donald Trump to offer artists, entrepreneurs and philanthropists “money for their dreams.”
- FundersClub: It was launched in July 2012 as an “online venture capital firm” whose money comes from individual accredited investors.
- Kickstarter: Like rival Indiegogo, best known as a place to find backers for an artistic endeavor or invention, but small tech companies and other businesses can also launch funding campaigns.
- Liquidnet: It offers a platform to let private companies sell shares directly to institutional investors.
- SecondMarket: The firm also allows for the buying of private-company shares, but by individuals.
- Wefunder: It offers “crowdfunding for startups,” lets investors put in as little as $1,000 and is making plans to welcome non-accredited investors once federal rules permit.