Because “crowdfunding” is a relatively new term in my lexicon, I found this article to brush up on the basics of crowdfunding and why it seems to be such an essential influence in the paths of many entrepreneurs. In the article, Wharton professor Valentina Assenova describes the facets of crowdfunding, and, in particular, who it is affecting. Assenova began by noting that venture capital, the traditional source of funding for entrepreneurs, is very concentrated in the US (specifically, in Cambridge and Silicon Valley). With the outbreak of crowdfunding, though, geographies around the US that have not traditionally attracted capital have had upticks in investment. As Assenova describes, “All of that is to say that crowdfunding appears to be democratizing access to capital among a larger pool of innovators who are coming up with innovative ideas around the U.S.”
According to Assenova, the implications of this finding are numerous. Entrepreneurs no longer have to move to Silicon Valley in order to acquire funding. This may mean that an impressive business degree is also no longer necessary. Additionally, crowdfunding can be a great way to not just attract money from the “crowd,” but can eventually attract venture capitalists, as well.
To me, this all sounds like a wonderful way for non-traditional entrepreneurs to obtain necessary capital for their ideas. My only question would be whether it gives hope to too many ideas and entrepreneurs, who, perhaps, could use more iteration before receiving money to put these ideas into action.