Community Futures Stuart Nechako has launched a new crowdfunding platform for small businesses and startups across BC.
Project Coordinator Tom Bulmer says that while other platforms focus on selling products and personal fund raising, ‘Invest Local BC’ will allow entrepreneurs to raise money to start a business.
“You can’t do that on GoFundMe, you can’t do that on IndieGogo or Kickstarter. Our focus is much more local… it’s going to be a huge catalogue of local solutions to local problems.”
Invest Local BC also differs from the other platforms by being the only site of it’s kind in BC that is exempt under BC securities commission regulations, with a focus on business.
“If someone can’t go get regular funding from banks, or for that matter from community futures organizations to get their start up going they might be able to find local investors to help out with a local project.” Bulmer added.
He says that Community Futures has found that small start ups and businesses can have a big impact on the economy of a community.
The group is partnering with Vancouver based crowdfunding pioneer Fundrazr on the project, and hopes to see the platform used in communities right across BC.