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In Business

Factual: Money

Series about the world of work from vast corporations to modest volunteers

Series of programmes about the whole world of work, public and private, from vast corporations to modest volunteers

In Business: Join the Crowd

Factual

Join the Crowd

23/08/2012

BBC Radio 4 - In Business, Join the Crowd

Peter Day reports on crowdfunding - businesses asking for start-up cash on the internet.

Short of cash to start a business? More and more people are using the internet to get customers or would-be investors to make their projects happen. Peter Day reports.

Short of cash to start a business? Instead of going to the bank for a loan, asking for cash from friends or family, or meeting with venture capitalists, how about asking hundreds or thousands of strangers on the internet to buy your product or a share in your company?
It's called crowdfunding, and it's a strategy that was first adopted by filmmakers and musicians. Now more and more businesses are using crowdfunding websites to raise capital. 
Peter Day meets some of the businesses turning to this innovative form of fundraising as well as some of the founders of high-tech companies matching up entrepreneurs with investors. 
He also finds out more about the potential risks and asks whether crowdfunding will remain a niche business tool or an idea that will transform the way entrepreneurs raise money.
Producer: Mike Wendling
Editor: Stephen Chilcott.

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