Podcast appearances and mentions of reg cf

Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.Devin: What is your superpower?Dr. Canaan: Faith and empathyAffordable housing is more than a real estate challenge; it's a mission to create stability and hope. In today's episode, I had the pleasure of exploring this mission with Dr. Canaan Van Williams, the Fund Manager of ProActive Real Estate Group. His work focuses on Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAA), helping underserved communities secure quality, affordable homes while delivering returns for investors.Dr. Canaan shared his passion for affordable housing through his latest project, Rancho Affordable Living, in Las Vegas. This 23-unit development provides low-income housing at 20–30% below market rates. It prioritizes second-chance housing for people previously evicted, unhoused, or escaping domestic violence. He explained, “Second chance housing is such a huge part of the low-income affordable housing sector. We tend to serve people who are anywhere from 50 to 30 percent AMI or below.”What makes this effort even more compelling is its focus on impact and speed. By revitalizing existing properties, ProActive Real Estate Group avoids the delays associated with subsidies, enabling quicker housing solutions. According to Canaan, “We're able to achieve above market-rate returns because we pass on the cost savings benefits of revitalizing what's existing.”For those who want to get involved, there's exciting news: ProActive Real Estate Group has a live Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) campaign now. This democratizes investment opportunities, allowing non-accredited investors to support affordable housing while earning current income.Canaan brings a unique perspective to this work, drawing from his upbringing in Oakland, California, where his family benefited from affordable housing programs. This personal connection fuels his commitment to creating sustainable communities. “We do everything we can to help our residents,” he shared.Affordable housing projects like Rancho Affordable Living exemplify how mission-driven investments can combine social impact with financial returns. By investing in efforts like this, we can celebrate milestones like Juneteenth not just in words, but in action.tl;dr:Dr. Canaan Van Williams pioneers affordable housing projects like Rancho Affordable Living, offering below-market rents.His work prioritizes second-chance housing, helping underserved people rebuild their lives with dignity.ProActive Real Estate Group's Reg CF campaign allows everyone to invest in impactful housing solutions.Dr. Canaan's faith in God and humanity drives his compassionate approach to building sustainable communities.His advocacy for housing stability showcases the power of love, empathy, and mission-driven leadership.How to Develop Faith and Empathy As a SuperpowerDr. Canaan's superpower is rooted in his faith in God and humanity, coupled with a deep empathy for others. He said, “Our superpower is love. We really practice and demonstrate empathy as much as we possibly can.” This perspective drives his work, enabling him to create housing solutions that prioritize dignity and community for underserved populations. Dr. Canaan's faith inspires him to focus on impact first, trusting that everything else will follow.A compelling example of Dr. Canaan's superpower in action comes from a story about two single mothers in Las Vegas. Both women, homeless and struggling with expired Section 8 vouchers, reached out to him for help. Despite bureaucratic resistance, Canaan advocated on their behalf, convincing the housing office to reinstate their vouchers. His determination and empathy changed their lives, providing them with stable homes for their families.Tips for Developing Faith and Empathy as Strengths:Practice Compassion Daily: Look for opportunities to help others, even in small ways.Advocate Relentlessly: Stand firm for those in need, even when facing resistance.Stay Mission-Focused: Let your values guide your actions, especially in challenging situations.Draw Strength from Faith: Lean into your beliefs to sustain your commitment to doing good.By following Dr. Canaan's example and advice, you can make faith and empathy a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfileDr. Canaan Van Williams (he/him):Fund Manager, ProActive Real Estate GroupAbout ProActive Real Estate Group: ProActive Real Estate Group is a mission-driven investment firm specializing in affordable housing that delivers both market-rate returns and measurable social impact. Through the ProActive Impact Fund and “Flight to Safety” strategy, the firm acquires, revitalizes, and manages Class C multifamily, NOAH, and manufactured housing in underserved communities. ProActive's work aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and emphasizes community uplift without displacement. By combining financial expertise with transparent ESG reporting, ProActive offers investors—ranging from individuals to institutions—ethical, de-risked real estate opportunities that strengthen neighborhoods and generate long-term value.Website: proactiveimpactfund.comOther URL: proactivefunds.sppx.io/otp/RA-CF-2025Biographical Information: Dr. Canaan Van Williams is a seasoned impact investor, fund manager, and social innovator dedicated to transforming underserved communities through sustainable housing solutions. As Fund Manager at ProActive Real Estate Group, he leads investment strategies that generate consistent market-rate returns while delivering measurable social impact. His work focuses on revitalizing Class C and distressed Class B multifamily properties, Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH), and manufactured housing to create vibrant, affordable communities—without displacement or gentrification.Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Dr. Williams tackles poverty, inequality, and urban sustainability through strategic real estate investments. His projects are backed by transparent reporting, including Morningstar Sustainalytics' ESG ratings, giving investors confidence in both performance and purpose.With a Ph.D. in Psychology and certifications in property and private equity management, Dr. Williams combines human insight with financial acumen. He partners with high-net-worth individuals, family offices, funds, and institutions seeking ethical, de-risked, and socially responsible investment opportunities.Dr. Williams is a trusted leader at the intersection of finance and social change—proving that real estate can be a force for good. Learn more at www.Flight2Safety.com or connect with him at LinkedIn.LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-canaan-williams-aa3924bSupport Our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today's advertisers include FundingHope, Kingscrowd, Just Her Rideshare, and Crowdfunding Made Simple. Learn more about advertising with us here.Max-Impact MembersThe following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Sharon Samjitsingh, Health Care Originals | Add Your Name HereUpcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.Join us on June 25, 2025, at 8:00 PM Eastern for the Superpowers for Good Live Pitch—streaming on e360tv, where purpose-driven founders take the virtual stage to present their active Regulation Crowdfunding campaigns to a national audience of investors and changemakers. Selected startups are chosen for their commitment to community, alignment with NC3's Community Capital Principles, and their drive to create real-world impact. Thanks to sponsors DNA and DealMaker, this event is free to watch and amplifies the voices of underrepresented and mission-aligned entrepreneurs. Don't miss this inspiring evening where capital meets purpose—tune in to discover and support the next wave of impact-driven innovation.Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on July 15, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition but with big upgrades for 2025! We'll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we'll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!Community Event CalendarSuccessful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.Devin Thorpe is featured in a free virtual masterclass series hosted by Irina Portnova titled Break Free, Elevate Your Money Mindset & Call In Overflow, focused on transforming your relationship with money through personal stories and practical insights. June 8-21, 2025.Join Dorian Dickinson, founder & CEO of FundingHope, for Startup.com's monthly crowdfunding workshop, where he'll dive into strategies for successfully raising capital through investment crowdfunding. June 24 at noon Eastern.Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.Call for community action:Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefiting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 9,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe

Today, I had the pleasure of co-hosting a special livestream on Substack with Jen Risley, the editor of the Main Street Journal. We're calling it “Jen and Devin Live,” and we hope it marks the beginning of a recurring series to strengthen the ties in our shared community of impact crowdfunding enthusiasts.Jen and I both publish on Substack and share a mission to promote community capital. While we could be viewed as competitors, we see ourselves more as complementary partners. That's why we came together—to cross-promote, build bridges, and amplify the voices in this growing movement.What's New at the Main Street JournalJen highlighted a recent MSJ Extra feature: an in-depth interview with John Abrams, author of the forthcoming book From Founder to Future. John transitioned his company—South Mountain Company, a design, building, and solar firm on Martha's Vineyard—into a worker cooperative. Now retired, he's focused on helping other founders do the same. Jen shared that the response to this piece was overwhelmingly positive, confirming that interest in worker ownership models is growing fast.Updates from Superpowers for GoodOn my end, I shared some exciting updates about Superpowers for Good. Our recent SuperCrowdLA event, which was livestreamed to e360tv and Substack, drove tremendous traffic. But what's been even more rewarding is the success of our new initiative, Super Crowd Voices (read it here, submit your contribution for consideration here). This channel invites new writers to share their perspectives, and it's working better than we imagined. In fact, one of the first posts—by Dorian Dickinson of Funding Hope—became our most-read post ever. His powerful argument for giving investment crowdfunding “a seat at the table” clearly struck a chord.It was particularly rewarding to learn from Jen that our feature on Dorian inspired Main Street Journal to expand their platform listings in their weekly offering summaries. They had initially focused on just a few platforms—but now, they include more, making their coverage even stronger. That kind of cross-pollination is exactly what this collaboration is all about.Shared Admiration for Kathleen MinogueWe also talked about our mutual admiration for Kathleen Minogue and her “Crowdfund Better” methodology. Jen and I both hold her in high regard. Michael Shuman's interview with Kathleen in MSJ Extra—which I was able to read as a paying subscriber—was one of the best practical pieces I've seen. She explains how a rewards-based campaign can serve as a stepping stone to a successful investment crowdfunding raise. Kathleen's approach is a masterclass in how to crowdfund strategically, and Jen shared how Kathleen supported a local crowdfunding initiative in her home region of New Hampshire. It's amazing to see this kind of thought leadership making a real-world impact.Reflections on SuperCrowdLA and a Preview of SuperCrowd25Jen kindly mentioned how much she appreciated the summary I wrote following SuperCrowdLA. She quoted a line I often use: “Capital is not just about dollars. It's about power, purpose, and possibility.” That meant a lot. I shared that we're working on a full book based on the conference's transcripts and insights—something far deeper than a quick summary. We hope to release it by the end of June.I also highlighted some standout speakers from the event:* Doug Willmore, CEO of World Tree, which has raised $17M (including $12M from the crowd) to fund a carbon-sequestering tree farm model.* Sarah Hardwick, former CMO of Aptera, who helped the company raise $140M through Reg CF and Reg A offerings. Her speech was both riveting and deeply insightful.Looking ahead, SuperCrowd25 is coming up on August 21–22, and we're streaming it live again on E360tv. I'm thrilled by how many people discover crowdfunding for the first time through these events. I invited Jen—and Michael Schuman as well—to join us as speakers. Their voices are essential to this community.Closing: Stronger TogetherI closed by encouraging our community to subscribe to Main Street Journal—especially since some of their best content, like the Kathleen Minogue piece, is behind a paywall. It's worth every penny. Jen added that their Monday events roundup is always free, giving folks a way to sample the value before committing. You can subscribe at mainstreetjournal.substack.com or visit their website at mainstreetjournal.org.Jen returned the love, reminding her community to subscribe to Superpowers for Good and promising to keep highlighting our latest work.We both agree: if you're serious about crowdfunding for impact, you need both publications. This partnership is just getting started, and we can't wait to see where it takes us next.Max-Impact MembersThe following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Sharon Samjitsingh, Health Care Originals | Add Your Name HereUpcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.* Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on June 17, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.* SuperCrowdHour, June 18, 2025, at 12:00 PM Eastern. Jason Fishman, Co-Founder and CEO of Digital Niche Agency (DNA), will lead a session on "Crowdfund Like a Pro: Insider Marketing Secrets from Jason Fishman." He'll reveal proven strategies and marketing insights drawn from years of experience helping successful crowdfunding campaigns. Whether you're a founder planning a raise or a supporter of innovative startups, you'll gain actionable tips to boost visibility, drive engagement, and hit your funding goals. Don't miss it!* Superpowers for Good Live Pitch – June 25, 2025, at 8:00 PM Eastern - Apply by June 6, 2025, to pitch your active Regulation Crowdfunding campaign live on Superpowers for Good—the e360tv show where impact meets capital. Selected founders will gain national exposure, connect with investors, and compete for prizes. To qualify, you must be raising via a FINRA-registered portal or broker-dealer and align with NC3's Community Capital Principles. Founders from underrepresented communities are especially encouraged to apply. Don't miss this chance to fuel your mission and grow your impact!* SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition, but with big upgrades for 2025! We'll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. VIP's get access to our better-than-in-person networking! Get your VIP access for just $25. Soon, we'll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!Community Event Calendar* Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.* African Diaspora Investment Symposium 2025 (ADIS25), Wednesday–Friday, May 28–30, 2025, at George Washington University, Washington, D.C., USA.* Devin Thorpe is featured in a free virtual masterclass series hosted by Irina Portnova titled Break Free, Elevate Your Money Mindset & Call In Overflow, focused on transforming your relationship with money through personal stories and practical insights. June 8-21, 2025.* Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.Call for community action:* Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefitting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 9,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.Manage the volume of emails you receive from us by clicking here. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe

Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow!Devin: What is your superpower?John: I'm a playing field leveler.Veteran entrepreneurs face unique challenges when raising capital for their businesses. John Panaccione, CEO and Co-Founder of Folla Capital, is on a mission to change that. In today's episode, John explained how his experience as a veteran has shaped his passion for helping others in the veteran and minority business communities succeed.“I've had to live through running a business, owning a business, and raising capital,” John said. “I felt firsthand some of the challenges that we have there, but now, doing what I do, I just love helping fellow veterans and women- or minority-owned businesses deal with some of the unique challenges that we need to face.”Folla Capital, where John serves as CEO, is a registered broker-dealer that supports clients in conducting regulation crowdfunding offerings. Their goal is to make financing more accessible for underserved communities. By leveraging tools like Reg CF and Reg D exemptions, John and his team help entrepreneurs overcome the systemic barriers that have historically excluded them from funding opportunities.John shared several success stories from his work, including one about helping a veteran-owned software company called Oplign. The business, which helps veterans translate their military experience into civilian qualifications, raised nearly $700,000 through a Reg CF campaign. John reflected on the pride he feels when clients succeed. “There's nothing better than when somebody calls me and says, ‘Hey, two years ago you helped me, and now we're killing it.' That's the biggest reward I experience.”John's work is more than just helping companies raise money—it's about building communities. Highlighting the importance of both geographic and demographic connections, he explained how Folla Capital fosters networks that empower entrepreneurs. “Crowdfunding is wonderful,” he said, “but at the end of the day, a lot of the money ends up coming from people that have some connection with the management team.”Through Folla Capital, John is leveling the playing field for veterans and other underrepresented entrepreneurs. His work proves that with the right tools and support, these communities can thrive, creating not just businesses but stronger, more inclusive communities.If you're inspired by John's mission, stay tuned for more insights later in the episode about his superpower and how he uses it to empower others.tl;dr:John Panaccione discussed the challenges veterans and minority entrepreneurs face when raising capital.Folla Capital helps entrepreneurs succeed using tools like Reg CF and Reg D exemptions.Success stories highlight the importance of building both geographic and demographic communities.John's superpower is leveling the playing field by teaching the rules entrepreneurs need to know.Entrepreneurs can achieve success by exceeding standards, building networks, and fostering resilience.How to Develop Leveling the Playing Field As a SuperpowerJohn's superpower is “leveling the playing field.” He explained, “I've learned that most people that have goals are leaders. If they know the rules, they can compete.” John prides himself on being a teacher who ensures that entrepreneurs understand the standards and rules of raising capital, empowering them to create their own success. He emphasized, “We don't want to be the smart people with all the answers. We like to pride ourselves on being teachers.”Illustrative Story:One of John's proudest success stories involves helping a group of veterans open an indoor skydiving iFly facility in Wilmington, North Carolina. Despite skepticism and challenges, the team raised $1 million via a Reg CF campaign to unlock a $12 million financing package. This funding transformed an empty lot into a thriving business, showcasing how understanding the rules and applying them effectively can bring ambitious projects to life.Tips for Developing This Superpower:Learn the Rules: Familiarize yourself with the standards and regulations in your field.Aim Higher Than the Standard: Strive to exceed the minimum requirements for quality and preparation.Teach Others: Share your knowledge to empower others, rather than positioning yourself as the “expert.”Build Community: Leverage both geographic and demographic networks to support your goals.Practice Resilience: Don't be discouraged by skepticism—focus on proving doubters wrong through action.By following John's example and advice, you can make leveling the playing field a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfileJohn Panaccione ("Pana-chone" (he/him):CEO & Co-Founder, Folla CapitalAbout Folla Capital: Folla Capital is an SEC-registered broker-dealer. Folla Capital helps small businesses raise capital and provides general investment banking advisory services for startups, active businesses, and those involved in mergers and acquisitions. Our founders are entrepreneurs ourselves.  We've gone down the path of having to raise money the traditional way. We know what it's like to have to make weekly payroll and the rent and constantly deal with the challenge of managing cash flow. Our core team started in North Carolina in 2018, facilitating the State's Intrastate investment crowdfunding program called the NC PACES Act. Based on this experience, we began the process of expanding nationally to help any company, in any state, raise capital using any of the SEC exemptions including Reg D, Reg CF, and Reg A.Website: follacapital.comBiographical Information: John Panaccione, co-founder of Folla Capital, holds an array of SEC licenses, including Series 7, 24, 79, and 63. Folla Capital is an SEC-registered broker-dealer and helps entrepreneurs and small business owners raise capital. Prior to his Folla Capital venture in 2020, he co-founded and led the LogicBay Corporation, a software company, from 2003 to its 2020 acquisition by Pluribus Technologies, gaining extensive experience in small business finance and mergers and acquisitions.In 2013, he co-founded VETtoCEO, a non-profit aiding transitioning military personnel in considering entrepreneurship. Before his entrepreneurial career, John held leadership roles in operations and sales across various corporate sizes. He served six years as a U.S. Army officer, primarily in the 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper units.John holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice and an M.B.A. from Bryant University, focusing on Technology and Operations Management.Personal Facebook Profile: facebook.com/FollaCapitalLinkedin: linkedin.com/company/69705255Guest ProfileJohn Panaccione ("Pana-chone" (he/him):CEO & Co-Founder, Folla CapitalAbout Folla Capital: Folla Capital is an SEC-registered broker-dealer. Folla Capital helps small businesses raise capital and provides general investment banking advisory services for startups, active businesses, and those involved in mergers and acquisitions. Our founders are entrepreneurs ourselves.  We've gone down the path of having to raise money the traditional way. We know what it's like to have to make weekly payroll and the rent and constantly deal with the challenge of managing cash flow. Our core team started in North Carolina in 2018, facilitating the State's Intrastate investment crowdfunding program called the NC PACES Act. Based on this experience, we began the process of expanding nationally to help any company, in any state, raise capital using any of the SEC exemptions including Reg D, Reg CF, and Reg A.Website: follacapital.comBiographical Information: John Panaccione, co-founder of Folla Capital, holds an array of SEC licenses, including Series 7, 24, 79, and 63. Folla Capital is an SEC-registered broker-dealer and helps entrepreneurs and small business owners raise capital. Prior to his Folla Capital venture in 2020, he co-founded and led the LogicBay Corporation, a software company, from 2003 to its 2020 acquisition by Pluribus Technologies, gaining extensive experience in small business finance and mergers and acquisitions.In 2013, he co-founded VETtoCEO, a non-profit aiding transitioning military personnel in considering entrepreneurship. Before his entrepreneurial career, John held leadership roles in operations and sales across various corporate sizes. He served six years as a U.S. Army officer, primarily in the 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper units.John holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice and an M.B.A. from Bryant University, focusing on Technology and Operations Management.Personal Facebook Profile: facebook.com/FollaCapitalLinkedin: linkedin.com/company/69705255Support Our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today's advertisers include FundingHope, AMIBA, SuperCrowdLA and Crowdfunding Made Simple. Learn more about advertising with us here.Max-Impact MembersThe following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Add Your Name HereUpcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.SuperCrowdLA: we're going to be live in Santa Monica, California, May 1-3. Plan to join us for a major, in-person event focused on scaling impact. Sponsored by Digital Niche Agency, ProActive Real Estate and others. This will be a can't-miss event. Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow!  Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on May 20, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.SuperCrowdHour, May 21, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Devin Thorpe, Champion of Social Good and CEO of The Super Crowd, Inc., will lead a session on "The Secret to Higher Investment Returns via Impact Crowdfunding." He'll share powerful strategies and real-world examples that show how aligning your investments with your values can lead to strong financial and social returns. If you're an investor looking to maximize impact or curious about the growing world of impact crowdfunding, this is a session you won't want to miss! Don't miss it!SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition but with big upgrades for 2025! We'll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we'll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!Community Event CalendarSuccessful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.Crowdfunding Addict: Lessons Learned from a Year of Daily Investments, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET.Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.Call for community action:Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefiting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.Guest ProfileJohn Panaccione ("Pana-chone" (he/him):CEO & Co-Founder, Folla CapitalAbout Folla Capital: Folla Capital is an SEC-registered broker-dealer. Folla Capital helps small businesses raise capital and provides general investment banking advisory services for startups, active businesses, and those involved in mergers and acquisitions. Our founders are entrepreneurs ourselves.  We've gone down the path of having to raise money the traditional way. We know what it's like to have to make weekly payroll and the rent and constantly deal with the challenge of managing cash flow. Our core team started in North Carolina in 2018, facilitating the State's Intrastate investment crowdfunding program called the NC PACES Act. Based on this experience, we began the process of expanding nationally to help any company, in any state, raise capital using any of the SEC exemptions including Reg D, Reg CF, and Reg A.Website: follacapital.comBiographical Information: John Panaccione, co-founder of Folla Capital, holds an array of SEC licenses, including Series 7, 24, 79, and 63. Folla Capital is an SEC-registered broker-dealer and helps entrepreneurs and small business owners raise capital. Prior to his Folla Capital venture in 2020, he co-founded and led the LogicBay Corporation, a software company, from 2003 to its 2020 acquisition by Pluribus Technologies, gaining extensive experience in small business finance and mergers and acquisitions.In 2013, he co-founded VETtoCEO, a non-profit aiding transitioning military personnel in considering entrepreneurship. Before his entrepreneurial career, John held leadership roles in operations and sales across various corporate sizes. He served six years as a U.S. Army officer, primarily in the 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper units.John holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice and an M.B.A. from Bryant University, focusing on Technology and Operations Management.Personal Facebook Profile: facebook.com/FollaCapitalLinkedin: linkedin.com/company/69705255Support Our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today's advertisers include FundingHope, AMIBA, SuperCrowdLA and Crowdfunding Made Simple. Learn more about advertising with us here.Max-Impact MembersThe following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Add Your Name HereUpcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.SuperCrowdLA: we're going to be live in Santa Monica, California, May 1-3. Plan to join us for a major, in-person event focused on scaling impact. Sponsored by Digital Niche Agency, ProActive Real Estate and others. This will be a can't-miss event. Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow!  Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on May 20, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.SuperCrowdHour, May 21, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Devin Thorpe, Champion of Social Good and CEO of The Super Crowd, Inc., will lead a session on "The Secret to Higher Investment Returns via Impact Crowdfunding." He'll share powerful strategies and real-world examples that show how aligning your investments with your values can lead to strong financial and social returns. If you're an investor looking to maximize impact or curious about the growing world of impact crowdfunding, this is a session you won't want to miss! Don't miss it!SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition but with big upgrades for 2025! We'll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we'll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!Community Event CalendarSuccessful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.Crowdfunding Addict: Lessons Learned from a Year of Daily Investments, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET.Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.Call for community action:Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefiting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe

Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow!Devin: What is your superpower?Jason: Ability to inspire excitement.Raising money through regulated investment crowdfunding is hard. Too many founders underestimate the difficulty, thinking that once their campaign goes live, the crowd will come running. The truth, as Jason Fishman explains, is that success starts long before a campaign launches.Jason, Co-Founder and CEO of Digital Niche Agency (DNA) and host of the "Test. Optimize. Scale." podcast, is one of the industry's most experienced investor acquisition experts. He helps founders raise capital by creating marketing funnels that turn strangers into advocates. In today's episode, he shared the single most important element of a successful crowdfunding raise: planning."If you fail to plan, you plan to fail," Jason said. "Imagine launching a website tomorrow and trying to bring 50,000 people towards it and get 1,000 of those people to convert at a transactional value of $1,000 or more."That's the scale of the challenge many founders face without realizing it. Jason broke down how campaigns that succeed aren't just lucky—they're methodical. They use strategies built on industry research and competitive marketing audits. These show founders what messaging and channels are working and which aren't, enabling them to craft a custom roadmap for every stage of their campaign.He encourages founders to go deep on pre-launch preparation. That includes clearly identifying audiences, traffic sources, and strategic partnerships. According to Jason, it also means fine-tuning the content and offering page to ensure it's optimized for conversions."You still need to have a well-thought-out plan on where that traffic's coming from," he noted, even for small campaigns targeting $50,000. "One way or the other, I need to figure out how am I getting those actual visits to my offering page."Jason and his team at DNA have helped clients raise hundreds of millions of dollars from the crowd. The secret? They treat marketing as a science—and a strategy-first mindset is always step one.To hear more from Jason, check out this episode and join us at SuperCrowdLA, where he'll speak twice and be available throughout the event. Don't miss the chance to learn from one of the best in the business.tl;dr:Jason Fishman explains why strategic planning and marketing are essential for crowdfunding success at any scale.He shares how the most successful campaigns use research and competitor audits to map traffic and conversions.Jason emphasizes that even small campaigns must create momentum with targeted audiences and compelling content.His superpower, generating excitement, helps him motivate teams, founders, and friends to rally around a vision.Jason encourages understanding your audience's fears and desires to inspire action and build lasting engagement.How to Develop Inspiring Excitement As a SuperpowerJason Fishman's superpower is his ability to inspire excitement and rally people around a shared goal. “Getting people excited…has been present my whole life,” Jason explained. He shared how this skill underpins his success in building impactful marketing campaigns, emphasizing that understanding what drives and motivates people is key. Jason applies this talent to craft compelling messaging and visuals that move audiences to action.Illustrative Story:Jason shared a personal anecdote about planning a wedding for his wife's cousin, who had been overwhelmed by the process. By addressing objections and highlighting exciting details, Jason turned their reluctance into enthusiasm. The result was a beautiful wedding overlooking the beach, with Jason even serving as the DJ. This story exemplifies his ability to energize others and create positive outcomes.Tips for Developing the Superpower:Understand Your Audience: Identify what excites and motivates them, as well as their fears.Communicate the Vision: Show others what success looks like and why it matters.Address Objections: Turn concerns into opportunities by re-framing challenges in a positive light.Leverage Energy: Use your enthusiasm to inspire and rally others around shared goals.By following Jason's example and advice, you can make inspiring excitement a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfileJason Fishman (he/him):Co-Founder and CEO of Digital Niche Agency DNA and Host of the "Test. Optimize. Scale." Podcast, Digital Niche Agency (DNA)About Digital Niche Agency (DNA): DNA is a full-service digital marketing agency specializing in surpassing client goals. Our team has over 25 years of experience in Marketing, Start-Ups, and Business Development. While working with clients and launching brands we have learned what works and how to implement a revenue-driving marketing strategy. Watching the digital marketing landscape evolve everyday, our primary objective is to offer the latest technologies and techniques to small to mid level businesses. With a focus on two areas, Content Development and Content Distribution, the DNA model is built for both brand value and performance. Our success is truly measured by the growth rate of our clients companies. Whether you are looking for Social Media, SEO, Content Marketing, Digital PR, Web/ Mobile Media Buying, Marketing Plans, Influencer Marketing, Instagram Ads, Traffic to CrowdFounding Platforms, Investor Materials, CPI / Burst and AOS Campaigns, Development, Video, or Digital Advertising, we know how many options there are out there and have structured ourselves so that you can get everything you need from DNA. We have relationships with the top vendors in the digital world and provide the ability to work with one partner to manage all areas of your digital brand at below industry standard rates. With this approach we want to make the process easy, so we can begin getting you more market share with our formula.Website: digitalnicheagency.comX/Twitter Handle: @DNAgency_CACompany Facebook Page: facebook.com/digitalnicheagencyBiographical Information: Jason Fishman has 15+ years experience as a “New Media Enthusiast”, who genuinely enjoys planning, activating, and managing scalable marketing strategies across the full-spectrum of verticals and goals. He is an expert in digital channels including Search Engines, Social Media Platforms, Programmatic Ad Exchanges, Influencer Networks, Email Automation, Content Marketing, and Partnerships. He has held leadership roles at all sides of the marketing table: Agency, Brand, and Vendor, which explains his ability to structure unique opportunities for DNA clients.Jason managed the Product Marketing Division of a major Mobile Ad Network who exclusively represented ad inventory for 1,500+ Print Publishers' Mobile/Tablet apps and worked with many Top 100 Advertisers. Leveraging traffic algorithms, Jason now takes this knowledge and applies it to scale brands with effective marketing tactics.Since launching DNA in 2014, Jason and the team have worked with over 750 brands and deliver industry-leading results across eCommerce, Lead Generation and Digital Funding campaigns. DNA is now an Inc 5000 company, who has worked with over 350 Reg CF, Reg A+, Reg D, and Digital Asset campaigns that have produced 9-figures of funding.Jason has been showcased in Panel and Individual presentations at a high volume of Tech and Marketing conferences, along with his “Test. Optimize. Scale.” Podcast. He is also committed to a number of Thought Leadership content projects for 2024, including the Forbes Agency Council. Jason manages a Los Angeles team with experience in all aspects of the user journey.Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/digital-niche-agencyInstagram Handle: @digitalnicheagencySupport Our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today's advertisers include FundingHope, Make Money with Impact Crowdfunding, SuperCrowdLA and Crowdfunding Made Simple. Learn more about advertising with us here.Max-Impact MembersThe following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Add Your Name HereUpcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on April 15, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.SuperCrowdHour, April 16, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Gene Massey, Chairman/CEO of MediaShares, will lead a session on "Secrets For Creating Great Content To Attract Investors." He'll share expert insights on crafting compelling content that engages and converts potential investors. Whether you're launching a crowdfunding campaign or looking to enhance your storytelling strategy, this session is a must-attend! Don't miss it!SuperCrowdLA: we're going to be live in Santa Monica, California, May 1-3. Plan to join us for a major, in-person event focused on scaling impact. Sponsored by Digital Niche Agency, ProActive Real Estate and others. This will be a can't-miss event. Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow!  SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition but with big upgrades for 2025! We'll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we'll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!Community Event CalendarSuccessful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.Devin Thorpe joins Entrepreneurs On Fire to share powerful insights on impact investing and doing well by doing good. Tune in on April 10 to hear Devin's inspiring conversation with host John Lee Dumas!Igniting Community Capital to Build Outdoor Recreation Communities, Crowdfund Better, Thursdays, March 20 & 27, April 3 & 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET.Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.Call for community action:Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefiting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 9,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe

Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow!Devin: What is your superpower?Alex: Thinking deeply and critically about a number of things.Crowdfunding has revolutionized how businesses raise capital, but not all crowdfunding is created equal. In today's episode, Alex Fisher, CEO and CCO of Netcapital Securities, shared how her team empowers businesses by leveraging a comprehensive suite of tools including Reg A, Reg D, and Reg CF offerings. Her insights highlight the importance of tailoring fundraising strategies to meet the unique needs of each company, ensuring both flexibility and success.Alex explained, “When people hear crowdfunding, they kind of lump all of the different offering types and ways to raise capital together.” Netcapital's approach, however, recognizes the nuances of these methods. For instance, Reg CF allows companies to raise up to $5 million from the general public, while Reg D removes the cap but limits investments to accredited investors. Combining these strategies can create opportunities for businesses to achieve their goals more effectively.For Alex, the innovation lies in the ability to use these regulations strategically. She noted, “Companies who look to utilize both offering types at the same time are being very strategic… using the Reg CF bucket to open the investment opportunity to their broad network,” including customers and social media followers. Meanwhile, Reg D can attract larger investments from accredited investors such as venture capitalists.One of the most exciting developments Alex discussed is the potential for liquidity in crowdfunding. While much of the focus has been on raising capital, Netcapital is exploring ways to offer investors opportunities for future liquidity. This forward-thinking approach benefits both issuers and investors, enhancing the overall value of crowdfunding.Netcapital's role as both a broker-dealer and a funding portal sets it apart from other platforms. “Under Reg CF, companies are limited to listing on one portal at a time,” Alex explained. “That restriction doesn't exist in Regulation A or Regulation D and doesn't apply to broker-dealers.” This flexibility allows Netcapital to collaborate with other platforms, creating a synergistic ecosystem that benefits companies and investors alike.By combining innovative strategies with a deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, Alex and her team at Netcapital are helping businesses raise capital smarter, faster, and more effectively.If you're considering crowdfunding for your business, Alex's expertise offers a roadmap for success. As she put it, “It's very facts and circumstances based… You want to understand the stage of the company, the industry, and the networks they're a part of.”tl;dr:Alex Fisher explains how Netcapital combines Reg CF, Reg A, and Reg D to fundraise strategically.She highlights the untapped potential for liquidity in crowdfunding, benefiting both issuers and investors.Netcapital's broker-dealer status allows for unique flexibility and collaboration across fundraising platforms.Alex's intellectual curiosity drives her personal growth and her ability to connect with clients.She shares actionable tips for fostering intellectual curiosity to fuel professional and personal success.How to Develop Intellectual Curiosity As a SuperpowerAlex Fisher's superpower is her intellectual curiosity, a trait she describes as “thinking deeply and critically about a number of things.” This mindset drives her to question established norms, explore new ideas, and continuously improve both personally and professionally. Alex explained, “It's about not just accepting things for how they are and constantly thinking about how to do things better.” Her curiosity fuels her ability to connect with clients on a deeper level, understanding not just their business goals but also their personal motivations.Illustrative Story:Alex shared how rekindling her love of reading helped her rediscover her intellectual curiosity. After years of focusing solely on textbooks, regulations, and professional development, she began reading for personal interest in 2022. Since then, she has read over 70 books, which has broadened her perspective and improved her ability to think creatively. This shift has positively impacted her professional life by enabling her to approach challenges with fresh ideas and a more holistic understanding.Tips for Developing Intellectual Curiosity:Ask “Why” and “How” Questions: Dive deeper into processes, systems, and decisions to understand their purpose and function.Read Widely: Explore books and resources outside your professional field to gain new perspectives.Embrace Continuous Improvement: Focus on finding better ways to do things, even if the current method works.Connect Personally: Take time to understand the motivations and passions of the people you work with.Be Open to Exploration: Allow yourself to engage in activities that don't have an immediate or tangible impact.By following Alex Fisher's example and advice, you can make intellectual curiosity a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfileAlex Fisher (she/her):CEO & CCO, Netcapital Securities Inc.About Netcapital Securities Inc.: Netcapital Securities, a wholly owned subsidiary of Netcapital Inc. (Nasdaq: NCPL, NCPLW), is an SEC-registered, FINRA member broker-dealer.Netcapital Securities specializes in supporting companies with equity capital raises under Regulation A and Regulation D and in partnering with other broker-dealers to collaboratively syndicate deals.Website: netcapital.comBiographical Information: Alexandria (Alex) Fisher is a seasoned business strategist and compliance specialist, passionate about expanding founders' access to funding and investors' access to the private capital markets.Alex is currently the CEO and CCO of Netcapital's subsidiary broker-dealer, Netcapital Securities Inc., which specializes in supporting companies with equity capital raises under Regulation A and Regulation D and partnering with other broker-dealers to collaboratively syndicate deals.Alex is an advisor to startup companies and is a member of Global Women in Venture Capital (VC).Previously, Alex managed various regulatory compliance programs at a Series A venture-backed startup and at Fidelity Investments.Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alexandria-fisherSupport Our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today's advertisers include FundingHope, Make Money with Impact Crowdfunding, SuperCrowdLA and Crowdfunding Made Simple. Learn more about advertising with us here.Max-Impact MembersThe following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Add Your Name HereUpcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on April 15, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.SuperCrowdHour, April 16, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Gene Massey, Chairman/CEO of MediaShares, will lead a session on "Secrets For Creating Great Content To Attract Investors." He'll share expert insights on crafting compelling content that engages and converts potential investors. Whether you're launching a crowdfunding campaign or looking to enhance your storytelling strategy, this session is a must-attend! Don't miss it!SuperCrowdLA: we're going to be live in Santa Monica, California, May 1-3. Plan to join us for a major, in-person event focused on scaling impact. Sponsored by Digital Niche Agency, ProActive Real Estate and others. This will be a can't-miss event. Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow!  SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition but with big upgrades for 2025! We'll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we'll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!Community Event CalendarSuccessful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.Crowdfunding Made Simple with Devin D. Thorpe: AI-Powered Fundraising Strategies, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET.Devin Thorpe joins Entrepreneurs On Fire to share powerful insights on impact investing and doing well by doing good. Tune in on April 10 to hear Devin's inspiring conversation with host John Lee Dumas!Igniting Community Capital to Build Outdoor Recreation Communities, Crowdfund Better, Thursdays, March 20 & 27, April 3 & 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET.Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.Call for community action:Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefiting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 9,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe

In this episode, Bridger breaks down the complexities of raising money from non-accredited investors, exploring the differences between Reg A, Reg CF, and traditional accredited investor funds. Learn why the SEC imposes stricter regulations, the costs associated with managing these funds, and the challenges of dealing with smaller investors. Sign up to watch the free training and discover how to launch a fund. Stop leaving carry on the table doing one-off deals. Your track record deserves a fund.https://fundlaunch.click/non-accredited-investorAll Information Shared Are The Sole Thoughts and Opinions Of The Author. Do Not Take Any Information As Legal Or Financial Advice. You Should Seek A Certified Accountant And A Professional Legal Team Before Taking Any Further Action.‍*Results may vary depending on a number of factors, including but not limited to market conditions, investor demand, and investment strategy. While our courses are designed to provide you with the knowledge and tools necessary to launch a fund, we cannot guarantee any specific results or outcomes. Your success will depend on your own efforts, diligence, and ability to execute on the strategies and techniques that you decide to pursue. We make no representation or warranty that you will achieve any particular level of success or earnings, and you accept the risk that the results may differ from those described in our materials.****We are not selling or soliciting a security in any way, shape, or form. This content is for educational purposes only and is not financial or legal advice.fundlaunch.com

I'm not a financial advisor; Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions.Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.Devin: What is your superpower?Alice: Something that led me here that's a superpower is seeing opportunity where others don't. I think I have this; my magic is, what I always say is, seeing white space.Maternal health in the United States is in crisis. Alice Crisci, Co-Founder and CEO of Ovum Health, is addressing this urgent challenge by merging her personal journey with cutting-edge technology to transform the reproductive health landscape. Diagnosed with cancer at a young age and enduring nine pregnancy losses, Alice's resilience fueled her mission: ensuring that anyone who dreams of having a healthy family can do so without financial or medical barriers.“We are diagnosing on average four conditions that weren't previously diagnosed and restoring health,” Alice explained during today's episode. “If you can imagine the joy people feel when they suddenly have hope again… that they're going to become a mom.”Ovum Health employs precision diagnostics—using genetic testing, virology, toxicology, and advanced analytics—to uncover root causes of infertility and maternal health challenges. Their holistic care approach combines personalized medical interventions with lifestyle modifications, leveraging a proprietary app to guide patients incrementally toward better health.Alice's vision extends beyond reproductive health. The company's methods address broader chronic conditions, offering solutions for men and women across life stages, including menopause and perimenopause. “Sixty percent of all Americans now have chronic illness. That has to reverse,” she emphasized, highlighting the potential to improve lives far beyond maternal health.Ovum Health is currently raising capital through a Regulation Crowdfunding campaign on Start Engine. As Alice noted, “Reg CF gives the same people who might become a patient… the opportunity to own stock in the company.”You can support Ovum Health's mission and invest by visiting s4g.biz/ovum.Alice's inspiring story and Ovum Health's groundbreaking work remind us of the profound impact of innovation driven by empathy and purpose.tl;dr:* Alice Crisci shares her journey from personal challenges to launching Ovum Health, transforming maternal care.* Ovum Health uses cutting-edge diagnostics and holistic care to address infertility and chronic health issues.* Alice emphasizes the importance of perseverance and identifying opportunity as key entrepreneurial superpowers.* Today's episode highlights Ovum Health's accessible solutions and its Start Engine crowdfunding campaign.* Alice inspires with actionable tips for recognizing patterns and solving problems at their root.How to Develop Seeing Opportunity As a SuperpowerAlice's superpower is her ability to see opportunities where others see challenges. With a unique talent for recognizing patterns and identifying untapped potential, she excels at connecting the dots to drive innovation and progress, both for her ventures and the people she supports.Alice exemplified this superpower when analyzing anonymized user data from Ovum Health's Fertility Answers app. She uncovered patterns that challenged the prevailing narrative about infertility, which often blames women for delaying childbirth. Her insights led her to develop new diagnostic tools and solutions tailored to people's unique circumstances, enabling access to better healthcare regardless of geographic location.Tips for Developing This Superpower:* Embrace data: Analyze patterns in the information available to you. Look for trends or inconsistencies that challenge conventional wisdom.* Focus on root causes: Avoid addressing symptoms alone. Use a cause-and-effect framework to define the actual problems you're trying to solve.* Foster ideation: Practice brainstorming with a focus on connecting unrelated ideas to create innovative solutions.* Encourage collaboration: Involve others in identifying causes and effects to expand your perspective and refine problem-solving approaches.* Act on insights: Move beyond identifying opportunities—take decisive action to bring them to life.Closing Paragraph:By following Alice's example and advice, you can make seeing opportunity a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfileAlice Crisci (she/her):Co-Founder and CEO , Ovum HealthAbout Ovum Health: Ovum Health is a preconception health and wellness company for men and women.Website: ovumhealth.comX/Twitter Handle: @ovumhealthCompany Facebook Page: fb.com/ovumhealthInstagram Handle: @fertility.answersOther URL: startengine.com/offering/ovumhealthBiographical Information:Alice Crisci is a serial entrepreneur, healthcare media host, author, and activist. A cancer survivor, she co-founded Ovum Health and MedAnswers, pioneering solutions for women's health and fertility through technology and patient-centered care. Her ventures have raised millions, amassed significant user engagement, and facilitated groundbreaking clinical trials. Alice also founded Fertile Action, an oncofertility charity, and championed legislative efforts to secure insurance coverage for fertility preservation in California. She has guest lectured at top universities, contributed to national media, and serves as a columnist for Money Inc. Alice resides with her son, Dante, splitting time between Northern Idaho and Atlanta, GA.Personal Facebook Profile: fb.com/alicecrisciLinkedin: linkedin.com/in/alicecrisciSupport Our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today's advertisers include FundingHope, How to Make Money with Impact Crowdfunding, Honeycomb Credit and Motivated Money with Dakin Capital. Learn more about advertising with us here.Max-Impact MembersThe following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Add Your Name HereUpcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.* SuperCrowdHour, January 15, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Devin Thorpe will be doing investor-focused training on building an investment strategy focused on investing in debt instruments to match or even exceed stock market returns. This is great for people serious about investing, whether you are starting with $100 or $100,000. Don't miss it!* Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on January 21, 2024, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.* SuperCrowdLA, we're going to be live in Los Angeles late in the spring. Plan to join us there for a major, in-person event focused on scaling impact. Details to come soon!Community Event Calendar* Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events* Community Capital Live, Havell Rodrigues, New Majority Capital, January 15, 2:00 PM Eastern.* Community Capital Live, Bernel Hall, New Jersey Community Capital, January 29, 2:00 PM Eastern.* NC3 Changing the Paradigm: Mobilizing Community Investment Funds, March 7, 2025* Asheville Neighborhood Economics, April 1-2, 2-25.If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 8,000+ members of the SuperCrowd, click here.We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe

Happy Thanksgiving!I'm not a financial advisor; Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions.Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.Devin: What is your superpower?Jonathan: I think in my case, if I may, some of my strengths include being a very creative CEO.Making life-saving cancer detection accessible to everyone, regardless of income, is the driving force behind Jonathan Cohen's leadership at 20/20 GeneSystems. On today's episode of Superpowers for Good, Jonathan shared how his team is reshaping cancer testing and leveraging equity crowdfunding to align with their mission.The company's flagship product, OneTest, offers multi-cancer early detection for as little as $200—far below the cost of competing tests. Recently, they introduced a convenient home collection option, allowing people to collect samples themselves, bypassing painful and time-consuming traditional blood draws. “We believe that cancer testing should not just be for the so-called worried rich. It should be for everybody,” Jonathan said.This philosophy extends to their approach to financing. Jonathan explained, “Just as cancer doesn't discriminate by income, we think cancer testing—and the opportunity to invest in innovations—should be available to all.” The company pioneered equity crowdfunding for biotech, raising $12 million from nearly 8,000 shareholders through Reg CF and Reg A campaigns. Now, they are hosting another offering on WeFunder to continue this democratized model.Jonathan's vision is deeply personal for many. He highlighted how shareholders often become customers and vice versa, strengthening the connection between the company's mission and its community.By focusing on affordability, accessibility, and inclusivity, 20/20 GeneSystems is setting a new standard—not just for cancer detection but also for how groundbreaking medical innovations are funded. Their journey illustrates the powerful impact of aligning purpose with action, offering investors and patients alike a chance to join a life-saving mission.tl;dr:* Jonathan Cohen's company offers one of only two multi-cancer early detection tests available today.* 20/20 GeneSystems' OneTest uses protein biomarkers, providing an affordable alternative to DNA-based diagnostics.* The company's equity crowdfunding campaigns align with its mission of democratizing access to biotech investments.* During the COVID-19 pandemic, 20/20 GeneSystems pivoted quickly to become an early leader in testing.* Jonathan's innovative approach integrates AI and machine learning, modernizing cancer detection and expanding accessibility.How to Develop Creative Thinking As a SuperpowerJonathan Cohen's superpower is creative thinking. As the CEO of 20/20 GeneSystems, Jonathan has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to think outside the box to solve problems and innovate. From spearheading novel approaches to cancer detection to adopting unconventional business strategies, Jonathan's creativity enables him to navigate complex challenges and seize unique opportunities.During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jonathan's creativity shone when he led 20/20 GeneSystems to pivot quickly into COVID testing. With rapid antibody tests sourced from East Asia, the company was among the first in the U.S. to offer any type of COVID test. Later, they transitioned to PCR testing, adapting to market needs. This quick, strategic shift not only supported public health efforts but also drove substantial growth, earning the company a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies.Tips for Developing Creative Thinking:* Pause and Analyze: Avoid following the crowd; take time to assess alternative approaches when everyone else moves in a single direction.* Leverage Technology: Use emerging tools like AI and machine learning to modernize older, proven methods.* Think Holistically: Combine diverse strategies, such as integrating different testing modalities for optimal outcomes, as Jonathan did with protein and DNA testing.* Engage in Public Policy: Collaborate with policymakers to align innovative solutionsBy following Jonathan Cohen's example and advice, you can make creative thinking a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfileJonathan Cohen (he/him):President & CEO, 20/20 GeneSystemsAbout 20/20 GeneSystems: We develop and commercialize innovative lab tests for the early detection and prevention of cancers and chronic conditions.Website: www.OneTestforCancer.comOther URL: wefunder.com/2020.gene.systemsBiographical Information: Jonathan Cohen is a visionary life sciences entrepreneur and executive with extensive experience in the biotechnology and healthcare industries. Throughout his career, Jonathan has succeeded at the intersection of capital formation, start-ups and public policy. As the founding CEO of 20/20 GeneSystems, Inc., he has pioneered groundbreaking initiatives in innovative lab testing for the early detection and prevention of cancers and other diseases. These include co-invention of blood tests w/AI-powered algorithms for the early detection of multiple cancers and chronic inflammation. Jonathan is a longtime advocate for state and federal policies that advance the entrepreneurial life sciences industry.Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jonathan-cohen-22574a12/Support Our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today's advertisers include FundingHope, Inner Space KC, Honeycomb Credit and How to Make Money with Impact Crowdfunding. Learn more about advertising with us here.Max-Impact MembersThe following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support to keep us operating:Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Add Your Name HereUpcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.* SuperCrowdHour, December 18, 2024, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, we host a value-laden webinar for aspiring impact investors or social entrepreneurs. At November's SuperCrowdHour, Jason Fishman of Digital Niche Agency will share insights. Free to attend.* Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on December 17, 2024, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.Community Event Calendar* Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events* Community Revitalization, Thursdays, 10:00 AM Eastern.* CfPA Webinar with President-Elect Jenny Kassan sharing her vision for 2025, December 11 at 2:00 PM Eastern.* NC3 Changing the Paradigm: Mobilizing Community Investment Funds, March 7, 2025* Asheville Neighborhood Economics, date TBD following impact of Helene.If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 8,000+ members of the SuperCrowd, click here.We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe

Peter Rostovsky is the Founder & CEO of Raiseway, which makes investment crowdfunding easy and affordable for small business owners with its AI-enabled SaaS platform. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Crowdfunding Professional Association.In the past, Peter worked in Business Development for Crowdfund Better, produced interviews for FintechTV, and consulted businesses on crowdfunding, private equity fundraising, marketing & sales. Peter is a former capital markets intelligence salesman for Preqin, Debtwire, Xtract Research & Continuum Economics, where his clients included the World Bank, Federal Reserve, EY, Blackrock, Blackstone, Kirkland & Ellis, CBRE, Interamerican Development Bank, Apollo, Oaktree, and others. We learned about: Finding debt and revenue-sharing deals in the U.S. investment crowdfunding market Doing due diligence on these deals Identifying sales opportunities for our BPO services in the Reg CF market Supporting Bengali small business owners in the United States with investment crowdfunding

I'm not a financial advisor; Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions.Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.Devin: What's your superpower?Jason: I think it's around getting people excited.In today's episode of Superpowers for Good, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jason Fishman, Co-Founder and CEO of Digital Niche Agency (DNA), as well as the host of the "Test. Optimize. Scale." podcast. Jason shared invaluable insights into what it takes to market a regulated investment crowdfunding campaign successfully.One key takeaway from our discussion is how critical it is to drive enough traffic to your campaign page. Jason pointed out that many founders believe that simply launching their offering will magically bring investors to their door. The truth, as he explained, is far from that. "You probably need 50,000 visitors per million dollars raised on a Reg CF," Jason said, emphasizing that traffic goals are essential. He highlighted that only about 7% of Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) campaigns reached $1 million or more last year, largely due to insufficient traffic.Jason also delved into the importance of creating social proof for your campaign. He likened it to avoiding the “empty restaurant” effect: when prospective investors see that only a small amount has been raised, they may hesitate to invest. He noted, "You're in a much better spot if you're able to get over $100K showcased on your page for how much has been raised." This kind of traction helps reassure cold investors and encourages more participation.For anyone looking to raise funds through a regulated crowdfunding campaign, Jason's advice is clear: focus on building momentum early and ensure that your campaign is reaching enough potential investors. Social proof can make or break your efforts to raise capital from the crowd.tl;dr:* Drive Traffic to Campaigns: Jason emphasized that driving significant traffic to crowdfunding pages is essential for success. He noted that most campaigns fail due to insufficient visitors.* Importance of Social Proof: Successful campaigns often showcase early traction, which builds credibility. Raising over $100K early on can help attract cold investors who have no prior connection to the campaign.* Targeted Marketing: Jason shared how targeted digital marketing, such as advertising to specific audiences like equity crowdfunding investors, is a powerful tool to reach the right prospects.* Proactive Founders: Jason highlighted that the most successful crowdfunding campaigns are led by founders who are highly proactive and engage deeply with their networks, rather than relying solely on third-party agencies.* Test and Optimize: Jason's marketing philosophy revolves around constantly testing different approaches, learning from the results, and optimizing campaigns to achieve better performance.How to Develop Generating Enthusiasm As a SuperpowerJason's superpower is his ability to get people excited. He uses his natural enthusiasm to energize those around him, whether it's rallying friends for a trip or engaging stakeholders in a business opportunity. By thinking about what would get him excited about a product or campaign, Jason translates that feeling into marketing messages that resonate with audiences, making him highly effective in crowdfunding campaigns.Jason shared an example where he used his enthusiasm to convince celebrities and influencers to share their audience data for advertising purposes—something many people are hesitant to do. By sharing his excitement about the potential results and opportunities, Jason managed to secure their participation, resulting in stronger campaign performance and satisfied stakeholders.Tips for Developing the Superpower:* Put Yourself in Their Shoes: Think about what would get you excited if you were the other person. Tailor your approach to reflect what would spark enthusiasm in that specific individual.* Transfer Energy: View communication as a transfer of energy. If you feel excitement, convey that feeling clearly to the other person. Make them feel the opportunity as vividly as you do.* Understand Your Audience: Study your audience in detail to find out what appeals to them. Create tailored messaging that resonates personally with them.* Test and Adapt: Use a trial-and-error approach to refine your methods. Test different messages, observe what works, and adjust accordingly to connect more effectively with each audience segment.By following Jason Fishman's example and advice, you can make generating enthusiasm a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfileJason Fishman (he/him):Co-Founder and CEO of Digital Niche Agency DNA and Host of the "Test. Optimize. Scale." Podcast, Digital Niche Agency (DNA)About Digital Niche Agency (DNA): DNA is a full-service digital marketing agency specializing in surpassing client goals. Our team has over 25 years of experience in Marketing, Start-Ups, and Business Development. While working with clients and launching brands, we have learned what works and how to implement a revenue-driving marketing strategy. Watching the digital marketing landscape evolve every day, our primary objective is to offer the latest technologies and techniques to small to mid level businesses. With a focus on two areas, Content Development and Content Distribution, the DNA model is built for both brand value and performance. Our success is truly measured by the growth rate of our clients' companies. Whether you are looking for Social Media, SEO, Content Marketing, Digital PR, Web/ Mobile Media Buying, Marketing Plans, Influencer Marketing, Instagram Ads, Traffic to CrowdFounding Platforms, Investor Materials, CPI / Burst and AOS Campaigns, Development, Video, or Digital Advertising, we know how many options there are out there and have structured ourselves so that you can get everything you need from DNA. We have relationships with the top vendors in the digital world and provide the ability to work with one partner to manage all areas of your digital brand at below industry standard rates. With this approach, we want to make the process easy so we can begin getting you more market share with our formula.Website: digitalnicheagency.comX/Twitter Handle: @DNAgency_CACompany Facebook Page: fb.com/digitalnicheagencyLinkedin: linkedin.com/company/digital-niche-agencyInstagram Handle: @digitalnicheagencyBiographical Information: Jason Fishman is the Co-Founder and CEO of Digital Niche Agency (DNA), with over 15 years of experience in scalable marketing strategies. He has led campaigns for 750+ brands and 350+ crowdfunding projects, producing nine figures in funding. Jason hosts the “Test. Optimize. Scale.” podcast and contributes to the Forbes Agency Council.Max-Impact MembersThe following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support to keep us operating:Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Add Your Name HereUpcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.* SuperCrowd Mastermind Group, twice monthly on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays at noon Eastern. This group is for entrepreneurs and small business owners interested in raising money from the crowd. Attend your first meeting free!* Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on October 15, 2024, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.* SuperCrowdHour, October 16, 2024, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, we host a value-laden webinar for aspiring impact investors or social entrepreneurs. At October's webinar, Devin Thorpe will provide an in-depth answer to the question, “How to Assess Your Crowd's Potential for Investing?” Free to attend.Community Event Calendar* Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events* Rally for Appalachian Hurricane Relief, Joel Skene, Tuesday, October 8 at 4:00 PM ET* Community Revitalization, Thursdays, 10:00 AM Eastern.* Community Capital Alternatives for Outdoor Recreation Challenges, Kathleen Minogue of Crowdfund Better speaking at American Trails, October 3, 10:00 AM, free.* Main Street Skowhegan and NC3 Entrepreneur Finance Workshop Series, September 17 - November 19, 2023.* Krishi Janani PBC Crowdfunding Virtual Office Hour, Sep 21, 2024, Noon Eastern.* Investment Week 24, October 19-20, 2024, Los Angeles. * Crowdfunding Professional Association, Summit in DC, October 22-23* Asheville Neighborhood Economics, November 12-13.If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 8,000+ members of the SuperCrowd, click here.We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe

In this episode, we sit down with Jonny Price, the Director of Fundraising at Wefunder, to dive deep into the world of crowdfunding and capital raising. Jonny shares insights into how Wefunder is helping startups and small businesses raise capital using Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF), which allows both accredited and unaccredited investors to participate in early-stage investments. We discuss the political environment surrounding crowdfunding, the revolutionary changes brought by the 2012 JOBS Act, and the impact of allowing everyday Americans to invest in the companies they love.Jonny explains the benefits of Reg CF for founders and investors, the importance of democratizing wealth creation, and why startups are now staying private longer than ever before. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to raise funds or an investor interested in high-risk, high-reward opportunities, this episode will give you the insider knowledge you need.Tune in to learn how Wefunder is on a mission to fix capitalism and what the future holds for crowdfunding!-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Buy Money Shackles: The Breakout Guide To Alternative Investing:https://moneyshackles.com/For More Info on Alternative Investment, visit:https://dutchmendenhall.com/Want to Partner on Deals? Become a RADD Inner Circle Member:https://icradd.com/SEC Filing : https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1721469/000110465922005564/tm223896d1_253g2.htm-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dutch Mendenhall | Social Linkshttps://www.facebook.com/TheRealDutchMendenhall/https://www.instagram.com/dutchmendenhall/https://www.linkedin.com/in/dutchmendenhall/Subscribe to The Dutch Mendenhall PodcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5kS2Mtu6rGt5xBezh526yHApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dutch-mendenhall-podcast/id1580491566-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dutch Mendenhall represents RADD Companies, yet his expressed views are based on various businesses and their objectives and may not be aligned with each company's perspectives. These are not promised outcomes and do not indicate future results. The content provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. For more information, visit https://dutchmendenhall.com/disclosures/.Dutch Mendenhall's (Dutch) involvement in external ventures or partnerships, or hosting esteemed speakers or sponsors, does not constitute an endorsement of those entities by RADD Companies—Dutch aims to maintain transparency and uphold the integrity of his business and entrepreneurial operations. For more information, visit https://dutchmendenhall.com/disclosures/.

Thunder Funder is a new funding portal by Mike Jarmuz (CEO) and Rockstar Dev (CTO). This will be a new way to allow retail investors to participate in bitcoin company equity rounds. Muzz and I discuss the ins and outs of what this means, as well as what it could mean for bitcoin and open source companies.    Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (00:55) - Overview of Lightning Ventures & Thunder Funder (12:15) - Sponsor (13:50) - Pros and cons of investing in Bitcoin startups (19:28) - Liquidity, secondary transactions, Reg CF & overview of investing process (26:39) - Sponsor (27:30) - The etiquettes of information rights (32:02) - Carried interest  (35:25) - Getting involved in the bitcoin startup ecosystem (39:17) - Open source funding opportunities (42:14) - Way forward for Thunder Funder Links:  https://x.com/MikeJarmuz  https://x.com/r0ckstardev  https://x.com/ltngventures  https://x.com/ThunderFunderCF  https://thunderfunder.com/  Sponsors: CoinKite.com (code LIVERA) Mempool.space Stephan Livera links: Follow me on X: @stephanlivera Subscribe to the podcast Subscribe to Substack

My guest is Youngro Lee! Youngro is a 2x-FinTech startup founder, and currently the President of Brassica, an API-enabled RWA infrastructure provider (acquired by BitGo in 2024), as well as CEO of BitGo Singapore and BitGo Korea where he leads Bitgo's strategic expansion into Asia. Youngro's first startup NextSeed (acquired by Republic in 2020) was the first SEC-registered Funding Portal under the JOBS Act and successfully closed the first Regulation Crowdfunding offering in US history; following acquisition he served as Republic COO during its pre-Series A to post-Series B phase and led Republic's international expansion.  In 2019-2023 Youngro served as a member of the SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee, which advised the SEC in making positive amendments to the JOBS Act in 2020 to increase the max funding limits under Reg CF and Reg A.  Prior to launching his FinTech career, Youngro was a private equity funds attorney for 8 years at Cleary Gottlieb, Kirkland & Ellis and Weil Gotshal in US, Europe and Asia.  Social and Website: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/youngrolee/ Website: https://www.brassicafin.com/ Follow Digital Niche Agency on Socials for Up To Date Marketing Expertise and Insights: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digitalniche... Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digi... Instagram: DNA - Digital Niche Agency @digitalnicheagency • Instagram photos and videos. Twitter: https://twitter.com/DNAgency_CA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDlz…

I'm not a financial advisor; Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions.Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.Devin: Tom, what do you see as your superpower?Tom: I would say the superpower within me has been the ability to bridge and connect both those intangible things like the hereafter with the here and now.In today's episode of Superpowers for Good, I had the pleasure of interviewing Tom Bassford, the Co-Founder and CEO of EquityVest. Tom's journey from a pastor to a pioneer in faith-based crowdfunding is a compelling story of combining mission-driven work with innovative financial solutions.Tom shared that EquityVest's mission is to connect faith-driven entrepreneurs with faith-driven investors, leveraging the passion and compassion found within the faith community to address poverty through business initiatives. His background as a pastor played a crucial role in shaping his vision. He recognized that while charitable efforts are essential, sustainable change requires empowering people to lift themselves out of poverty through business ventures.One of the standout moments in our conversation was when Tom explained, “What if there was a way to mobilize that crowd to use some of the same passion and compassion through business-type things to help people lift themselves out of poverty?” This question encapsulates the transformative potential of EquityVest's approach.Tom highlighted several unique projects on EquityVest, including an alternative to Uber and Lyft that prioritizes driver welfare, a company creating affordable housing in partnership with urban congregations, and a streaming service for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Each project reflects EquityVest's commitment to supporting businesses that generate financial returns and create positive social impact.One particularly inspiring example was the story of a company that partners with Christian-based organizations in Nepal, India, and South Africa to provide gainful employment to women rescued from human trafficking. As Tom explained, “He wanted to create a supply chain and a distribution in the United States, but he wanted to work with some Christian-based organizations in Nepal, India, and South Africa that were working with women that they were rescuing out of human trafficking.”This episode showcased the innovative ways in which EquityVest is using faith-based investments to solve real-world problems, demonstrating the power of combining business acumen with a mission for social good. Tom's vision and EquityVest's initiatives are truly inspiring examples of how financial tools can be used to create lasting positive change.tl;dr:1. Tom Bassford, CEO and founder of EquityVest, discussed the platform's mission to mobilize the faith-based community to invest in businesses that promote social good, create sustainable solutions, and lift people out of poverty.2. EquityVest operates without a strict religious or business-type vetting process, allowing companies to highlight their faith-driven motivations and social impact goals to attract like-minded investors.3. Bassford shared examples of current offerings on EquityVest, including a ridesharing alternative focused on driver welfare, a faith-based organization creating affordable housing on church land, and a streaming service for the deaf community.4. EquityVest is unique in being owned by a not-for-profit, with start-up costs covered by program-related investments and donor-advised funds aimed at creating an economic engine for launching businesses without ongoing charitable support.5. The platform encourages the faith-based community to integrate tangible actions with spiritual beliefs, promoting the idea that addressing physical and emotional needs is as important as the faith-driven message of salvation.How to Develop Bridging Faith and Business As a SuperpowerTom's superpower is his unique ability to connect the intangible aspects of faith with practical business solutions. This skill allows him to mobilize faith-driven communities to create sustainable, impactful change.Tom exemplifies his superpower through the creation of EquityVest, a regulated crowdfunding portal owned by the non-profit Significant Matters. By leveraging program-related investments and donor-advised funds, EquityVest empowers faith-driven entrepreneurs and investors to support ventures that address poverty and other social issues. This initiative bridges the gap between charitable efforts and sustainable economic development, embodying Tom's vision of integrating faith with practical solutions.Tips for Developing This Superpower:1. Embrace Both Spiritual and Practical Aspects: Recognize the importance of addressing both the spiritual needs and the tangible, everyday challenges people face.2. Communicate a Balanced Vision: Clearly articulate how faith can inform practical actions that have real-world impacts.3. Mobilize Community Resources: Leverage the passion and resources within your community to support sustainable projects that align with your mission.4. Adopt the Golden Rule: Apply the principle of treating others as you would want to be treated in all your initiatives.By following Tom's example and advice, you can make bridging faith and business a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfileTom Bassford (he/him):Co-Founder, CEO, EquityVestAbout EquityVest: Regulation Crowdfunding PortalWebsite: equityvest.orgX/Twitter Handle: @realequityvest Company Facebook Page: fb.com/profile.php?id=100093076426847Other URL: significantmatters.comInstagram Handle: @realequityvest Biographical Information: Tom Bassford is the co-founder and CEO of EquityVest, a Reg CF platform that sets itself apart by focusing on the faith-driven crowd. The platform aims to connect faith-driven founders and investors to support innovations that advance the world positively. It's not just for the regular churchgoer but for anyone inclined towards value-driven investments. EquityVest's unique approach to addressing societal issues and supporting marginalized communities is through a business IS mission mindset. Upcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.* SuperCrowdHour, July 17, 2024, at 1:00 Eastern. Each month, we host a value-laden webinar for aspiring impact investors or social entrepreneurs. At this month's webinar, Pooja Mehta, crowdfund investor and advisor to entrepreneurs, will join us to share her dual perspectives.* Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on July 16, 2024, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, you must first become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.* Recently, we created an AI GPT to help you learn more about The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, and our upcoming events. Click here to try it.Community Event Calendar* Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events* How Small Businesses Can Raise Capital from the Crowd, Thursday, July 11, 1 – 2 pm ET: Explore transforming your community connections into capital to start or grow a small business through regulated investment crowdfunding.  Learn more about how this type of crowdfunding works and the benefits and challenges of raising capital from the crowd. About our Presenter: Author and journalist Devin Thorpe has over 25 years in finance and a rich background as a former CFO and investment banking firm founder.  He's also a champion for social good, publishing his Superpowers for Good newsletter and show.* Community Capital Live: Lisa Nutter of Community Impact Investments - Virtual Event: July 17, at 2 pm ET* Crowdfunding Professional Association, Summit in DC, October 22-23* Asheville Neighborhood Economics, November 12-13.If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 7,000+ members of the SuperCrowd, click here.We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe

Ever wonder what it takes to start a crowdfunding platform? Do you ask yourself how crowdfunding can ethically impact the world? Then meet Will Wiseman, CEO and founder of Climatize, a new Reg CF crowdfunding platform that focuses on making renewable energy available to local communities. In its first year, Climatize raised over $4.3 million on 11 fully funded projects including farms, houses of worship, a Shakespearean theatre, and more.  With a background in renewable energy engineering, Will has vast experience in solar energy and leverages crowdfunding as an opportunity to bring renewable projects to life. But Climatize isn't your ordinary investing platform. Host Salvador Briggman delves deep into the world of regulation crowdfunding and highlights the benefits of this unique crowdfunding opportunity, including: Tools to access hundreds of high-value investors How to reactivate investors if momentum fails Tips to navigate a due diligence acceptance process …and more! PLUS, you'll experience technical jargon like fixed interest rates, promissory notes, equity, and more in terms that are easy to understand, so you can go into your next project with powerful financial wisdom under your belt. Prepare to have your mind blown as you peek behind the curtain of the crowdfunding universe with this down-to-earth episode of Crowdfunding Demystified.  Resources and Tools Mentioned on the Show Book a coaching call Subscribe for Weekly Crowdfunding Tips Fulfillrite: Kickstarter and crowdfunding reward fulfillment services. They come highly recommended! Download their free shipping and fulfillment checklist. Free Equity Crowdfunding Course Equity Crowdfunding Explained Climatize

I'm not a financial advisor; Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions.Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or invest after clicking a link here, we may earn a commission. Engage to support our work.Devin: What is your superpower?Ralf: in a nutshell, it is a combination of my passion and experience.In today's episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ralf Mandt, President and co-founder of NextPitch.tv. Ralf's innovative approach to equity crowdfunding is reshaping how we think about and engage with investment opportunities.Ralf's journey into equity crowdfunding began with his fascination for "Shark Tank" and the potential of crowdfunding to democratize investment. "When Howard Marks of StartEngine told me about equity crowdfunding in 2015, it was like a light bulb went off," Ralf shared. "I realized you could raise funding from the crowd, not just accredited investors, which was a game-changer."This realization led Ralf to develop NextPitch.tv, an interactive platform where viewers can engage with crowdfunding campaigns in real-time, much like "Shark Tank," but with a crucial difference. "Unlike 'Shark Tank,' you can actually invest in the campaigns you see," Ralf explained. "It's about creating a dynamic where the viewers can build their own portfolios and rate campaigns themselves."One of the most compelling aspects of NextPitch.tv is its ability to aggregate campaigns from various platforms, allowing users to explore a wide array of innovative projects. Ralf emphasized, "The important part is not the platform; the important part is the innovation of the campaigns."Ralf's vision extends beyond just showcasing campaigns. He aims to create a sense of urgency and excitement around these opportunities. "If we can build a big enough audience, it creates a dynamic where there are only a limited number of opportunities, and if you want to invest, you better grab it while you can," Ralf said, drawing an apt metaphor with a pizza being quickly consumed.This interactive and participatory model not only democratizes investment but also leverages the collective wisdom of the crowd. "The crowd has a remarkable ability to do due diligence. Everyone scrutinizes it in a different way, creating a comprehensive evaluation of the opportunities," Ralf noted.As we discussed the future of equity crowdfunding, Ralf's optimism was palpable. He sees the industry not just growing but fundamentally changing the landscape of small business finance. "Crowdfunding could occupy a majority of the small business finance space, making it literally hundreds of times bigger than it is today," he agreed.NextPitch.tv is not just a platform; it's a movement towards making equity crowdfunding accessible and exciting for everyone. Ralf's innovative approach and passion for this space are truly inspiring, and I look forward to seeing how NextPitch.tv will shape the future of investment.tl;dr:1. Ralf Mandt is developing an innovative platform, NextPitch.tv, which aims to integrate the excitement of shows like Shark Tank with the interactive nature of equity crowdfunding, allowing viewers to invest directly in startup campaigns they find compelling.2. Ralf's experience spans over 12 startups, highlighting his passion for entrepreneurship and his keen interest in digital solutions to scale businesses, such as transitioning from traditional inventory-heavy businesses to tech-driven models.3. Despite early setbacks, including a cannabis-related crowdfunding campaign that was halted, Ralf's persistence in the equity crowdfunding space underscores his belief in its potential to democratize investment opportunities for startups beyond the traditional venture capital route.4. NextPitch.tv seeks to showcase innovative equity crowdfunding campaigns in a user-friendly format where audiences can build custom portfolios and contribute to their favorites, focusing on the innovation of campaigns rather than the platforms that host them.5. With the growth of equity crowdfunding showing significant potential, Ralf is actively seeking support through a "Test the Waters" campaign on Wefunder, aiming to aggregate sufficient interest to launch a full-scale Reg CF campaign and further solidify NextPitch.tv's place in the industry.How to Develop Passion and Experience As a SuperpowerRalf's superpower is the potent combination of his deep passion for startups and his extensive experience in entrepreneurship. This blend fuels his ability to navigate the complexities of launching new ventures, particularly in the equity crowdfunding space, and to mentor others through the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship.Ralf exemplified his superpower during his work with Alpha Biz, a company that aimed to create a marketplace for small businesses to sell their ventures. Leveraging his passion for startups and his technical expertise, Ralf helped develop a software solution that provided early traction for the company. This experience underscores how his passion and experience work together to drive success in innovative projects.Tips for Developing Passion and Experience:1. Pursue What Excites You: Find areas that genuinely ignite your interest and enthusiasm. This passion will sustain you through the inevitable ups and downs.2. Embrace Continuous Learning: Accumulate practical experience by engaging in various entrepreneurial ventures. Learn from each success and failure.3. Identify Genuine Needs: Focus on real market needs and strive to meet them with innovative solutions.4. Be Resilient: Prepare for the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Embrace challenges as opportunities to grow.5. Adapt and Evolve: Recognize that different stages of a startup require different skills. Be willing to grow and adapt as your venture scales.6. Network and Seek Mentorship: Connect with other entrepreneurs and mentors who can offer guidance and share their experiences.By following Ralf Mandt's example and advice, you can make passion and experience a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfileRalf Mandt (he/him):President, NextPitch.tvAbout NextPitch.tv: Shark Tank for everyone. NextPitch showcases the most innovative live equity crowdfunding campaigns for the verdict of the crowd.Website: nextpitch.tvCompany Facebook Page: fb.com/NextPitchtv-102605085814032Other URL: wefunder.com/nextpitchtv.3Biographical Information: There is nothing quite like the thrill of creating something out of nothing. The challenge of turning a vision into reality.  That is why I am a serial entrepreneur with more than 12 startups under my belt.An overview of some of my companies and projects can be seen at www.iapprentice.comX/Twitter Handle: @MandtRalfInstagram Handle: @ralfmandt2020Upcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.* SuperCrowdChicago, June 12, 2024. This in-person event at Columbia College Chicago features some of Chicago's prominent citizens and community leaders, along with crowdfunding experts. Use the discount code “SuperCrowd” to save 50 percent! Watch the recording here!* Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on June 18, 2024, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, you must first become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.* SuperCrowdHour, June 19, 2024, at 1:00 Eastern. Each month, we host a value-laden webinar for aspiring impact investors or social entrepreneurs. At this month's webinar, Angela Barbash of Revalue will share insights about moving money from Wall Street to Main Street. Register here.* Superpowers for Good Live Pitch, June 26, 2024, at 9:00 PM Eastern. We'll host a live pitch right here on Superpowers for Good. If you would like to be one of the companies pitching, apply here.* Recently, we created an AI GPT to help you learn more about The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, and our upcoming events. Click here to try it.Community Event Calendar* Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events* The Reg A & Crowdfunding Conference, June 20, Westchester Country Club (Save 20% with the code Super20). We have a few free tickets; let us know if you want one.* How Small Businesses Can Raise Capital from the Crowd, Thursday, July 11, 1 – 2 pm ET: Explore transforming your community connections into capital to start or grow a small business through regulated investment crowdfunding.  Learn more about how this type of crowdfunding works and the benefits and challenges of raising capital from the crowd. About our Presenter: Author and journalist Devin Thorpe has over 25 years in finance and a rich background as a former CFO and investment banking firm founder.  He's also a champion for social good, publishing his Superpowers for Good newsletter and show.* Crowdfunding Professional Association, Summit in DC, October 22-23* Asheville Neighborhood Economics, November 12-13.If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 6,000+ members of the SuperCrowd, click here.We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe

In this episode, we speak with guest Peter Daneyko Co-Founder of KoreChain, about raising capital for startups. This topic is challenging for cybersecurity companies often due to the technical nature and difficulty in relaying the value of new technology. The investment community has very established lingo, norms, and expectations, which are often foreign to newcomers. Great ideas for technology may not correlate directly to the patterns anticipated by the finance industry, so we take some time today to provide cybersecurity practitioners with some invaluable financial incite. Guest Mr. Daneyko has supported over 200 companies raise money to support growth. Daneyko expresses that the way to transition from an early startup to a scalable company is to educate early to understand what to expect when reaching a growth stage. We talk about some questions such as “How to determine the amount of money you want to raise?  What are the different options for debt or equity? What are the differences between Reg-CF, Reg-A, B & C? What regulations apply to my company?. How do I get noticed or reach the investment community?”. This is a great conversation for a startup company that does not have that much exposure but has great technology. This show is a good starting point for "Capital Raise 101" or just to understand some of the finance industry lingo.  Thanks to Mr. Daneyko for this invaluable incite and you will not want to miss this episode of New Cyber Frontier. Visit our sponsors: BlockFrame Inc.

What types of channels and results should issuers seek out in their Reg CF and Reg A campaigns? In this episode, Adam Torres and Jason Fishman, Co-Founder & CEO at Digital Niche Agency (DNA), explore what separates the top groups from the underperformers running crowdfunding campaigns. Follow Adam on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/ Visit our website: https://missionmatters.com/ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia

What types of channels and results should issuers seek out in their Reg CF and Reg A campaigns? In this episode, Adam Torres and Jason Fishman, Co-Founder & CEO at Digital Niche Agency (DNA), explore what separates the top groups from the underperformers running crowdfunding campaigns. Follow Adam on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/ Visit our website: https://missionmatters.com/ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia

Ep. 164 Isaac Hayes III is on a mission to change social media forever. With his Fanbase app, he's empowering content creators to monetize and own their contributions to the cultural conversation.  His commitment to creating an equitable landscape for the next generation of social media users has grown Fanbase to $100 Million + valuation, ad he's the first black man in history to raise $9.2 Million Dollars in seed funding on StartEngine in a Reg CF campaign. And, he's currently in the middle of a $17 million fundraising campaign. On this episode, Isaac speaks with AfroTech's Will Lucas about how crowdfunding works, AI's impact on creators, and his record-breaking fundraising campaigns. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram: @willlucas Follow Black Tech Green Money: @blacktechgreenmoney Learn more at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris engages with Tom Bassford, the founder and CEO of EquityVest. EquityVest, a burgeoning Reg CF platform, sets itself apart by focusing on faith-driven investments. The platform aims to connect faith-driven founders and investors to support innovations that advance the world positively. The episode delves into the nuances of faith-aligned investing, emphasizing that it's not confined to regular churchgoers but rather to anyone inclined towards value-driven investments. The discussion also touches on EquityVest's unique approach to addressing societal issues and supporting marginalized communities. Highlights include… Faith-based investing and creating a platform for startups. (1:39) Faith-driven investing and social impact projects. (6:09) Investment in and addressing marginalized communities. (10:55) Democratizing capital for marginalized entrepreneurs. (15:33) Equity crowdfunding platform for retail investors. (19:48)

Hosts Tim Mai and Javier Hinojo delve into the intricacies of various investment regulations. They unravel the complexities of Reg D, Reg CF, and Reg A, shedding light on how these regulations shape the landscape of real estate investments. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting, this episode is packed with invaluable insights, breaking down the legal frameworks that govern investment opportunities. Tune in to discover how these regulations impact your investment strategies and explore the thrilling world of real estate investment regulations.   Key Takeaways to Listen for Reg D Focus: Overview of Regulation D, highlighting its use in syndications and criteria for accredited investors. Insights into Reg CF: Discussion on Regulation Crowdfunding, including its public accessibility and fundraising limits. Exploring Reg A: Understanding Regulation A's role as a pre-public offering tool and its unique investment characteristics. Regulations Compared: Comparative analysis of Reg D, Reg CF, and Reg A, focusing on their differences and investor relevance. Practical Applications: Real-world examples demonstrating the impact and future trends of these regulations in real estate investing. About Tim Mai Tim Mai is a real estate investor, fund manager, mentor, and founder of HERO Mastermind for REI coaches. He has helped many real estate investors and coaches become millionaires. Tim continues to help busy professionals earn income and build wealth through passive investing. He is also a creative marketer and promoter with incredible knowledge and experience, which he freely shares.  He has lifted himself from the aftermath of war, achieving technical expertise in computers, followed by investment success in real estate, management skills, and a lofty position among real estate educators and internet marketers. Tim is an industry leader who has acquired and exited well over $50 million worth of real estate and is currently an investor in over 2700 units of multifamily apartments.     Connect with Tim Website: Capital Raising Party Facebook: Tim Mai | Capital Raising Nation  Instagram: @timmaicom Twitter: @timmai Linkedin: Tim Mai YouTube: Tim Mai     Connect with Us To learn more about partnering with us, visit our website at https://javierhinojo.com/ and www.allstatescapitalgroup.com, or send an email to admin@allstateseg.com.  Sign up to get our Free Apartment Due Diligence Checklist Template and Multifamily Calculator by visiting https://javierhinojo.com/free-tools/. To join Javier's Mastermind, go to https://javierhinojo.com/mastermind/ and to apply to his BDB Mastermind, see https://javierhinojo.com/mastermind/#apply_form and answer the form.     Follow Me on Social Media Facebook: Javier A Hinojo Jr. Facebook Group: Billion Dollar Multifamily and Commercial Real Estate YouTube Channel: Javier Hinojo Instagram: @javierhinojojr TikTok: @javierhinojojr Twitter: @JavierHinojoJr   The Naked Truth About Real Estate Investing on Spotify

Welcome to another exciting episode of "The Founder Hour," the podcast where we dive deep into the stories and experiences of some of the most inspiring entrepreneurs and visionaries of our time. Today, we are thrilled to bring you a conversation with a true pioneer in the world of specialty coffee – the one and only James Freeman, the brilliant mind behind Blue Bottle Coffee.James's journey from a freelance clarinetist to founding one of the most beloved and influential coffee companies in the world is nothing short of remarkable. In this episode, we'll explore the rich blend of passion, precision, and entrepreneurial spirit that led him to revolutionize the way we think about and savor our daily cup of coffee.Tune in as James shares his insights on building a brand that values quality above all else, the challenges he's faced, the pivotal moments in his career, and the philosophy that has made Blue Bottle Coffee a household name. Whether you're a coffee connoisseur or simply fascinated by the art of entrepreneurship, this is an episode you won't want to miss. So grab your favorite brew, sit back, and join us for a captivating conversation with James Freeman.*The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world's most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you'd expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you'd pay at a big box store for something that won't last.For a limited time, get 10% off and FREE shipping at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply.*The biggest fortunes aren't made on Wall Street. They're made way before startups hit the stock market. Consider Mike Walsh, a name just like any of ours who invested $5,000 into Uber. And that investment money? It grew to a staggering $24,827,400!Such opportunities were once behind closed doors. Reserved for those with connections or vast fortunes. But that's no more.StartEngine is tearing down those exclusivity walls and making startup investments accessible to you and me...With Howard Marks, co-founder of the gaming giant Activision at the helm, StartEngine and its 1.7 million users have fueled startups with over $1.1 billion. This is no longer just an investment platform, but an investing revolution.And it gets better. They're inviting you to be a part of their journey. With just $500, you can join their live fundraising round and own shares of this revolutionary company.Visit https://www.startengine.com/offering/startengine5 and jump on board before their investment round wraps up.Disclosures:17b disclosureThis Reg A+ offering is made available through StarEngine Crowdfunding Inc. No broker-dealer or intermediary involved in offering. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment. For more information, please see the most recent Supplements, Offering Circular, and Risks Related to this Offering. The information provided in this marketing material is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. Past performance, including the success of certain individuals, is not indicative of future results. Investing in any market, including startups, involves risks, and there is no guarantee that similar opportunities will yield comparable returns. Number of Users is determined by counting user profiles with unique email addresses which are active and have been confirmed. Includes funds raised via Reg CF and Reg A+ combines through StartEngine's funding portal and broker-dealer, as well as StartEngine's OWN raise.

Welcome to another enlightening episode of "The Founder Hour.” Today, we have the distinct honor of hosting an entrepreneurial luminary whose journey has left an indelible mark on the business world.Our guest, Paul Orfalea, isn't just any entrepreneur; he's the brilliant mind behind Kinko's, a company that redefined the business services landscape. Paul founded Kinko's in 1970 with a simple idea and a $5,000 loan. What began as a small copy shop in Isla Vista, California, grew into a global phenomenon with over 1,000 locations worldwide before being acquired by FedEx for $2.4 billion in 2004.Throughout our conversation, we'll delve into the fascinating details of Paul's incredible journey. From his early days printing term papers for college students to navigating the challenges of scaling a business, Paul's insights are invaluable. He's not only a successful businessman but also a college professor and a passionate advocate for education and philanthropy, founding the Orfalea Foundation to support children and families in need.*The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world's most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you'd expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you'd pay at a big box store for something that won't last.For a limited time, get 10% off and FREE shipping at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply.*The biggest fortunes aren't made on Wall Street. They're made way before startups hit the stock market. Consider Mike Walsh, a name just like any of ours who invested $5,000 into Uber. And that investment money? It grew to a staggering $24,827,400!Such opportunities were once behind closed doors. Reserved for those with connections or vast fortunes. But that's no more.StartEngine is tearing down those exclusivity walls and making startup investments accessible to you and me...With Howard Marks, co-founder of the gaming giant Activision at the helm, StartEngine and its 1.7 million users have fueled startups with over $1.1 billion. This is no longer just an investment platform, but an investing revolution.And it gets better. They're inviting you to be a part of their journey. With just $500, you can join their live fundraising round and own shares of this revolutionary company.Visit https://www.startengine.com/offering/startengine5 and jump on board before their investment round wraps up.Disclosures:17b disclosureThis Reg A+ offering is made available through StarEngine Crowdfunding Inc. No broker-dealer or intermediary involved in offering. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment. For more information, please see the most recent Supplements, Offering Circular, and Risks Related to this Offering. The information provided in this marketing material is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. Past performance, including the success of certain individuals, is not indicative of future results. Investing in any market, including startups, involves risks, and there is no guarantee that similar opportunities will yield comparable returns. Number of Users is determined by counting user profiles with unique email addresses which are active and have been confirmed. Includes funds raised via Reg CF and Reg A+ combines through StartEngine's funding portal and broker-dealer, as well as StartEngine's OWN raise.

#digishares #republiccrypto #regcfoffering   Tune in to this episode of the Security Token Show where this week Herwig Konings and Kyle Sonlin talk about how Digishares is planning a Reg CF Offering on Republic starting September 26th!   Kyle's Company of the Week: Dictador: https://dictador.com/   Herwig's Company of the Week: Digishares: digishares.io    = Stay in touch via our Social Media = Kyle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylesonlin/ Herwig: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herwigkonings/ Opinion articles, interviews, and more: https://medium.com/security-token-group Find the video edition of this episode on our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTKdeN3ElyPeqtROWUp0CmQ   All articles that were discussed were sourced from https://STOmarket.com/news    Check out our medium blog for more news!   #STSTOP5 Articles of the Week   Coinbase: https://www.coindesk.com/video/coinbase-prime-web3-wallet-gives-institutions-a-way-to-interact-with-on-chain-applications-exec-says/   ADDX: https://www.ledgerinsights.com/tokenization-addx-middle-east/   Klaytn: https://www.cryptopolitan.com/klaytn-to-bring-real-world-assets-on-chain/   ANT RWA Tokenization: https://www.ledgerinsights.com/ant-rwa-tokenization-blockchain/   Digishares: https://republic.com/digishares   Institutional Update:    Northern Trust: https://blockworks.co/news/jpmorgan-lobban-blockchain-financial-instruments   JP Morgan: https://blockworks.co/news/jpmorgan-lobban-blockchain-financial-instruments   Market Update:    Coinbase: https://cointelegraph.com/news/coinbase-bitcoin-lightning-network-integration-brian-armstrong#:~:text=Countering%20the%20predominant%20narrative%2C%20Coinbase,enable%20faster%2Fcheaper%20Bitcoin%20transactions.   = Check out our Companies = Security Token Group: http://securitytokengroup.com/  Security Token Advisors: http://www.securitytokenadvisors.com/  Security Token Market: https://stm.co InvestReady: https://www.investready.com   ⏰ TABLE OF CONTENTS ⏰ 0:49 Introduction: Digishares Plans Reg CF Offering On Republic 1:53 ADDX, Coinbase, Warsaw Stock Exchange, ANT RWA Tokenization, Digishares | STSTOP5 9:28 STA Success Network Updates 10:41 Northern Trust, JP Morgan | Institutional Updates 13:26 Coinbase | Market Updates 14:52 Companies of The Week: Dictador, Digishares

Welcome to a special episode of The Founder Hour! Today, we have a guest whose story embodies the intersection of entrepreneurship and politics.Join us as we sit down with Doug Burgum, a tech entrepreneur turned Governor of North Dakota, as he shares his incredible journey from the tech world to the political arena. From mortgaging his family farm to invest in Great Plains Software, eventually selling the company to Microsoft for north of a billion dollars, to the principles that have guided his leadership style as a business leader and public servant, his story is sure to inspire.We also explore his presidential aspirations and vision for the future of the United States.As a reminder, the political views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the podcast or its sponsors. We believe in providing a platform for open and diverse discussions, and our goal is to bring you a wide range of perspectives. As always, we encourage our listeners to form their own opinions and engage in constructive dialogue.*The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world's most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you'd expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you'd pay at a big box store for something that won't last.For a limited time, get 10% off and FREE shipping at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply.*This episode is sponsored by Decrypted Law. They're pioneers in transparent flat free pricing for startups - no more hidden fees and complex billing structures! They even have a subscription service for fractionalized general counsel and are revolutionizing the way legal services are consumed. For a flat monthly fee, startups can now have access to top-tier, on-demand legal counsel. No more bill shock, just clear, predictable costs.Learn more and contact them at www.decryptedlaw.com. Make sure to mention The Founder Hour podcast so they know who sent you.*This episode is sponsored by OLIPOP, a new kind of soda that's actually good for you. It's the fastest-growing beverage brand in America. Gut health matters and OLIPOP has your back. 2 out of 3 Americans suffer from digestive issues, and OLIPOP tackles that with a soda that tastes amazing. With 9 grams of prebiotics in every can, it's the gut-friendly choice you've been waiting for.Vintage Cola, Classic Root Beer, Orange Squeeze, Classic Grape, and more. And guess what? OLIPOP has way less sugar than traditional sodas. Vintage Cola only has 2 grams of sugar compared to the 39 grams in a regular Coca-Cola. But it doesn't stop there.OLIPOP's drinks are Non-GMO, Vegan, Paleo, and Keto-friendly, with less than 8 grams of net carbs per can. They've got something for everyone.Ready to give OLIPOP a try? The Founder Hour listeners get 20% off their next order with the code FOUNDER20. Head to their website www.drinkolipop.com or find OLIPOP in over 22,000 stores nationwide.*The biggest fortunes aren't made on Wall Street. They're made way before startups hit the stock market. Consider Mike Walsh, a name just like any of ours who invested $5,000 into Uber. And that investment money? It grew to a staggering $24,827,400!Such opportunities were once behind closed doors. Reserved for those with connections or vast fortunes. But that's no more.StartEngine is tearing down those exclusivity walls and making startup investments accessible to you and me...With Howard Marks, co-founder of the gaming giant Activision at the helm, StartEngine and its 1.7 million users have fueled startups with over $1.1 billion. This is no longer just an investment platform, but an investing revolution.And it gets better. They're inviting you to be a part of their journey. With just $500, you can join their live fundraising round and own shares of this revolutionary company.Visit https://www.startengine.com/offering/startengine5 and jump on board before their investment round wraps up.Disclosures:17b disclosureThis Reg A+ offering is made available through StarEngine Crowdfunding Inc. No broker-dealer or intermediary involved in offering. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment. For more information, please see the most recent Supplements, Offering Circular, and Risks Related to this Offering. The information provided in this marketing material is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. Past performance, including the success of certain individuals, is not indicative of future results. Investing in any market, including startups, involves risks, and there is no guarantee that similar opportunities will yield comparable returns. Number of Users is determined by counting user profiles with unique email addresses which are active and have been confirmed. Includes funds raised via Reg CF and Reg A+ combines through StartEngine's funding portal and broker-dealer, as well as StartEngine's OWN raise.

You can now own a piece of the company democratizing venture capital investing in their active fundraising round at https://invest.startengine.com/These investment rounds are active for a limited amount of time. Don't miss this opportunity!In this episode:David Thomas Tao co-founded BarBend in 2016 with the goal of becoming the go-to destination for strength training content on the internet. Seven years later, the site had grown to over 31 million users and a GMV of nearly $19 million. He'll explain how to start a digital media company with this kind of growth potential in this episode. David fell in love with weight lifting after losing 100 pounds in high school. He had to dig deep through internet forums, social media, and print magazines to find resources and information on the sport, and decided to create an online home for other strength training and weight lifting lovers. Within the first year, BarBend was being cited by mainstream sports sites and getting more than 20,000 organic visitors every day. This led to a partnership with USA Weightlifting and a huge increase in revenue from affiliate marketing that spurred them on to more growth and, eventually, the company's sale to Pillar4 Media. If you've wondered how to start an affiliate marketing business that's actually profitable, or what it takes to launch a new digital media brand, you'll definitely want to listen to this interview!Resources:BarBend - Learn more about BarBend and see the content they post on their blogDavid Tao - Connect with David on InstagramBreaking Muscle - Site acquired by BarBend and relaunched in 2022Pillar4 Media - Health and fitness brand that recently purchased BarBendUpFlip Blog - Find more advice on how to start and grow a business in any nicheRadical Candor - Book by Kim Scott on how to be a great boss while still being a good personThis Reg A+ offering is made available through StarEngine Crowdfunding Inc. No broker-dealer or intermediary involved in offering. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment. For more information, please see the most recent Supplements, Offering Circular, and Risks Related to this Offering.The information provided in this marketing material is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. Past performance, including the success of certain individuals, is not indicative of future results. Investing in any market, including startups, involves risks, and there is no guarantee that similar opportunities will yield comparable returns.Includes funds raised via Reg CF and Reg A+ combines through StartEngine's funding portal and broker-dealer, as well as StartEngine's OWN raise.Connect with UpFlip: On Facebook On Instagram @UpFlipOfficial on Twitter For more insights to start, build, or grow a business, check out the resources on UpFlip.com or head to the UpFlip YouTube channel to see more interviews with business owners and experts. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating journey of Kym Gold, the entrepreneurial force behind True Religion and Style Union Home. Explore Kym's rise in the fashion world, as she co-founded True Religion, revolutionizing denim. Then, discover her pivot into interior design with Style Union Home, blending fashion and home decor seamlessly.*The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world's most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you'd expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you'd pay at a big box store for something that won't last.For a limited time, get 10% off and FREE shipping at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply.*This episode is sponsored by Decrypted Law. They're pioneers in transparent flat free pricing for startups - no more hidden fees and complex billing structures! They even have a subscription service for fractionalized general counsel and are revolutionizing the way legal services are consumed. For a flat monthly fee, startups can now have access to top-tier, on-demand legal counsel. No more bill shock, just clear, predictable costs.Learn more and contact them at www.decryptedlaw.com. Make sure to mention The Founder Hour podcast so they know who sent you.*This episode is sponsored by OLIPOP, a new kind of soda that's actually good for you. It's the fastest-growing beverage brand in America. Gut health matters and OLIPOP has your back. 2 out of 3 Americans suffer from digestive issues, and OLIPOP tackles that with a soda that tastes amazing. With 9 grams of prebiotics in every can, it's the gut-friendly choice you've been waiting for.Vintage Cola, Classic Root Beer, Orange Squeeze, Classic Grape, and more. And guess what? OLIPOP has way less sugar than traditional sodas. Vintage Cola only has 2 grams of sugar compared to the 39 grams in a regular Coca-Cola. But it doesn't stop there.OLIPOP's drinks are Non-GMO, Vegan, Paleo, and Keto-friendly, with less than 8 grams of net carbs per can. They've got something for everyone.Ready to give OLIPOP a try? The Founder Hour listeners get 20% off their next order with the code FOUNDER20. Head to their website www.drinkolipop.com or find OLIPOP in over 22,000 stores nationwide.*The biggest fortunes aren't made on Wall Street. They're made way before startups hit the stock market. Consider Mike Walsh, a name just like any of ours who invested $5,000 into Uber. And that investment money? It grew to a staggering $24,827,400!Such opportunities were once behind closed doors. Reserved for those with connections or vast fortunes. But that's no more.StartEngine is tearing down those exclusivity walls and making startup investments accessible to you and me...With Howard Marks, co-founder of the gaming giant Activision at the helm, StartEngine and its 1.7 million users have fueled startups with over $1.1 billion. This is no longer just an investment platform, but an investing revolution.And it gets better. They're inviting you to be a part of their journey. With just $500, you can join their live fundraising round and own shares of this revolutionary company.Visit https://www.startengine.com/offering/startengine5 and jump on board before their investment round wraps up.Disclosures:17b disclosureThis Reg A+ offering is made available through StarEngine Crowdfunding Inc. No broker-dealer or intermediary involved in offering. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment. For more information, please see the most recent Supplements, Offering Circular, and Risks Related to this Offering. The information provided in this marketing material is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. Past performance, including the success of certain individuals, is not indicative of future results. Investing in any market, including startups, involves risks, and there is no guarantee that similar opportunities will yield comparable returns. Number of Users is determined by counting user profiles with unique email addresses which are active and have been confirmed. Includes funds raised via Reg CF and Reg A+ combines through StartEngine's funding portal and broker-dealer, as well as StartEngine's OWN raise.

You can now own a piece of the company democratizing venture capital investing in their active fundraising round at https://invest.startengine.com/These investment rounds are active for a limited amount of time. Don't miss this opportunity!In this episode:John D'Eri and his son Thomas started Rising Tide Car Wash to provide employment opportunities for autistic adults. Ten years later, they've grown to 2 locations that bring in more than $500,000 a month in revenue, both a thriving car wash business and proof positive that neurodivergent employees have a lot to offer in the workplace. Providing opportunities for people with autism is an idea near and dear to the D'Eri family. John's son, Andrew, has autism, and Andrew's challenges finding a place he could thrive inspired John to start Rising Tide. The truth is, autistic adults have a ton to offer as employees, and Thomas will share how their diverse workforce has helped their business grow in this interview. John and Thomas didn't start a car wash from scratch. Instead, they bought a failing car wash and turned it into a thriving business. In this episode, you'll learn the steps of this transformation, what it cost them to purchase and improve it, andother details of how to start a car wash business.Resources:Rising Tide Car Wash - Connect with the company on their websiteRising Tide U - Program to help unlock the power of inclusivity for business ownersThe Power of Potential - Book by Thomas D'Eri on how a non-traditional workforce can help businesses run betterResources on Psychological Safety by Amy EdmondsonSonny's - Car wash parts and equipment UpFlip Courses - Get step-by-step guidance to start your own business at UpFlipThe E-Myth Revisited - Book by Michael Gerber explaining why most small businesses don't work and how to start one that doesThis Reg A+ offering is made available through StarEngine Crowdfunding Inc. No broker-dealer or intermediary involved in offering. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment. For more information, please see the most recent Supplements, Offering Circular, and Risks Related to this Offering.The information provided in this marketing material is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. Past performance, including the success of certain individuals, is not indicative of future results. Investing in any market, including startups, involves risks, and there is no guarantee that similar opportunities will yield comparable returns.Includes funds raised via Reg CF and Reg A+ combines through StartEngine's funding portal anConnect with UpFlip: On Facebook On Instagram @UpFlipOfficial on Twitter For more insights to start, build, or grow a business, check out the resources on UpFlip.com or head to the UpFlip YouTube channel to see more interviews with business owners and experts. Thanks for listening!

Michael Fuerstman is the co-founder and creative director behind the iconic Pendry Hotels.Before establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with at Pendry, Michael's journey was interwoven with the tale of Montage International. Alongside his father Alan, he played a pivotal role in the growth and success of Montage, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in the industry.Now, as the driving force behind Pendry Hotels, Michael has once again proven his knack for crafting experiences that transcend the ordinary. His unique blend of creativity and business acumen has redefined luxury accommodations, merging contemporary elegance with authentic local charm.In this episode, we delve into Michael's extraordinary path – from his early days helping shape Montage International to the heights of co-founding and creatively directing Pendry Hotels. Join us as we uncover the insights, challenges, and inspirations that have molded Michael Fuerstman into the trailblazing entrepreneur he is today. Tune in and get ready to embark on a journey of innovation, passion, and entrepreneurial wisdom.*The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world's most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you'd expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you'd pay at a big box store for something that won't last.For a limited time, get 10% off and FREE shipping at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply.*This episode is sponsored by Decrypted Law. They're pioneers in transparent flat free pricing for startups - no more hidden fees and complex billing structures! They even have a subscription service for fractionalized general counsel and are revolutionizing the way legal services are consumed. For a flat monthly fee, startups can now have access to top-tier, on-demand legal counsel. No more bill shock, just clear, predictable costs.Learn more and contact them at www.decryptedlaw.com. Make sure to mention The Founder Hour podcast so they know who sent you.*This episode is sponsored by OLIPOP, a new kind of soda that's actually good for you. It's the fastest-growing beverage brand in America. Gut health matters and OLIPOP has your back. 2 out of 3 Americans suffer from digestive issues, and OLIPOP tackles that with a soda that tastes amazing. With 9 grams of prebiotics in every can, it's the gut-friendly choice you've been waiting for.Vintage Cola, Classic Root Beer, Orange Squeeze, Classic Grape, and more. And guess what? OLIPOP has way less sugar than traditional sodas. Vintage Cola only has 2 grams of sugar compared to the 39 grams in a regular Coca-Cola. But it doesn't stop there.OLIPOP's drinks are Non-GMO, Vegan, Paleo, and Keto-friendly, with less than 8 grams of net carbs per can. They've got something for everyone.Ready to give OLIPOP a try? The Founder Hour listeners get 20% off their next order with the code FOUNDER20. Head to their website www.drinkolipop.com or find OLIPOP in over 22,000 stores nationwide.*The biggest fortunes aren't made on Wall Street. They're made way before startups hit the stock market. Consider Mike Walsh, a name just like any of ours who invested $5,000 into Uber. And that investment money? It grew to a staggering $24,827,400!Such opportunities were once behind closed doors. Reserved for those with connections or vast fortunes. But that's no more.StartEngine is tearing down those exclusivity walls and making startup investments accessible to you and me...With Howard Marks, co-founder of the gaming giant Activision at the helm, StartEngine and its 1.7 million users have fueled startups with over $1.1 billion. This is no longer just an investment platform, but an investing revolution.And it gets better. They're inviting you to be a part of their journey. With just $500, you can join their live fundraising round and own shares of this revolutionary company.Visit https://www.startengine.com/offering/startengine5 and jump on board before their investment round wraps up.Disclosures:17b disclosureThis Reg A+ offering is made available through StarEngine Crowdfunding Inc. No broker-dealer or intermediary involved in offering. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment. For more information, please see the most recent Supplements, Offering Circular, and Risks Related to this Offering. The information provided in this marketing material is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. Past performance, including the success of certain individuals, is not indicative of future results. Investing in any market, including startups, involves risks, and there is no guarantee that similar opportunities will yield comparable returns. Number of Users is determined by counting user profiles with unique email addresses which are active and have been confirmed. Includes funds raised via Reg CF and Reg A+ combines through StartEngine's funding portal and broker-dealer, as well as StartEngine's OWN raise.

You can now own a piece of the company democratizing venture capital investing in their active fundraising round at https://invest.startengine.com/These investment rounds are active for a limited amount of time. Don't miss this opportunity!In this episode:Last year, Jesse Vasquez left his 6-figure job to go all in on his rental property management company. We'll find out if that risk paid off in this interview with Jesse. Before turning his attention to real estate, Jesse spent 18 years building a career in corporate sales training in healthcare. He started a side hustle as a mid-term and short-term rental operator in 2015. He found his niche in unique rentals for traveling healthcare professionals, and that proved a solid foundation to grow his portfolio. Today, he operates more than 20 property listings in 2 states and teaches other property managers how to follow his blueprint. In our interview with Jesse, we'll find out why he focuses on mid-rentals and what strategies he's used to grow a recession-proof portfolio. You'll also hear how he made the transition from a W2 job to focusing full time on his real estate business and what he did before that to set himself up for such impressive growth. Resources:AirVenture Hosting - Find out more about AirVenture on their website Jesse Vasquez on YouTube - Hear more advice from Jesse on his YouTube channelUpFlip HUB - Learn how to start, grow, and build a business from scratchThe Gap and The Gain - Recommended book by Dan Sullivan This Reg A+ offering is made available through StarEngine Crowdfunding Inc. No broker-dealer or intermediary involved in offering. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment. For more information, please see the most recent Supplements, Offering Circular, and Risks Related to this Offering.The information provided in this marketing material is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. Past performance, including the success of certain individuals, is not indicative of future results. Investing in any market, including startups, involves risks, and there is no guarantee that similar opportunities will yield comparable returns.Includes funds raised via Reg CF and Reg A+ combines through StartEngine's funding portal and broker-dealer, as well as StartEngine's OWN raise.Connect with UpFlip: On Facebook On Instagram @UpFlipOfficial on Twitter For more insights to start, build, or grow a business, check out the resources on UpFlip.com or head to the UpFlip YouTube channel to see more interviews with business owners and experts. Thanks for listening!

If launching a regular crowdfunding campaign allows some room for trial and error, with Reg CF you need to know what to do every step of the way. So, in this episode of the Crowdfunding Demystified podcast, you'll hear Salvador Briggman speak to Caroline Strzalka about all the goes into creating a million dollar equity crowdfunding campaign! Caroline shares great insider tips such as: How did they use LinkedIn in a targeted way to reach investors? How did they build a compelling landing page and how often do they update it? What strategic partnerships did they make to make their product really stand out? It's such a great interview, we hope you enjoy it as much as we did! Book a Coaching Call with Sal Sponsors:  Fulfillrite: Kickstarter and crowdfunding reward fulfillment services. They come highly recommended! Download their free shipping and fulfillment checklist.

You can now own a piece of the company democratizing venture capital investing in their active fundraising round at https://invest.startengine.com/These investment rounds are active for a limited amount of time. Don't miss this opportunity!In this episode:Paul Alex started his ATM business as a side hustle in 2017 to earn some passive income. In the years since, he's helped more than 2,000 entrepreneurs start their own ventures, and he'll explain how to start an ATM business in this episode. Today, ATM Together is a multi-million dollar business that's given Paul the financial freedom he was looking for when he started his ATM business. Getting to that point wasn't easy, though. Paul had to transition his mindset from that of an employee to thinking like an entrepreneur. He'll explain how he made that switch, along with his advice for others who want to break free of their 9 to 5.Social media has been a big factor in ATM Together's growth. Their ATM Business Facebook Group is the largest in the world with more than 60,000 members. Paul will share tips on how to grow that kind of online audience, along with digital marketing strategies that can be useful for business owners in any niche. Resources:ATM Together - Find out more about Paul's business on their websiteUpFlip - Source of actionable business insights and tips from real-world entrepreneursUpFlip HUB - Learn how to start or grow a business in any niche with these knowledge resources Chamber of Commerce Directory - To get more information about business regulations and resources in your areaDigital Millionaire Secrets - book by Dan Henry sharing how to build an 8-figure business by selling knowledge online This Reg A+ offering is made available through StarEngine Crowdfunding Inc. No broker-dealer or intermediary involved in offering. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment. For more information, please see the most recent Supplements, Offering Circular, and Risks Related to this Offering.The information provided in this marketing material is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. Past performance, including the success of certain individuals, is not indicative of future results. Investing in any market, including startups, involves risks, and there is no guarantee that similar opportunities will yield comparable returns.Includes funds raised via Reg CF and Reg A+ combines through StartEngine's funding portal and broker-dealer, as well as StartEngine's OWN raise.Connect with UpFlip: On Facebook On Instagram @UpFlipOfficial on Twitter For more insights to start, build, or grow a business, check out the resources on UpFlip.com or head to the UpFlip YouTube channel to see more interviews with business owners and experts. Thanks for listening!

Equity crowdfunding is a rising tide and it's set to lift all boats. We're not gonna lie though, even with this type of financing there are winners and losers. So what are some of the winning strategies that really make the difference? In this special episode of the Crowdfunding Demystified podcast, Salvador Briggman speaks to the CEO of Aptera Motors, Steve Fambro, who just raised $1,346,750 on Republic for a revolutionary electric vehicle. You'll discover: What marketing techniques they used to reach thousands of investors How to come up with a killer elevator pitch What skills and mindset it takes to turn an idea into game-changing technology Hope you enjoy the episode! Book a Coaching Call with Sal Sponsors:  Fulfillrite: Kickstarter and crowdfunding reward fulfillment services. They come highly recommended! Download their free shipping and fulfillment checklist.

No need to sugarcoat it: equity crowdfunding is new, and many people are still skeptical about it. So why go with that route? The thing is, there are people who believe in your passion project so much that want to help you scale it. And as today's story shows, fostering that relationship through equity crowdfunding can go a long way!   In today's episode of the Crowdfunding Demystified podcast, Salvador Briggman speaks to the co-founder of Zencastr, Josh Nielsen, about all the steps that went into a $562,627 WeFunder campaign. You'll learn the factors that were critical to this success, including: Why they chose Reg CF over a more traditional financing method How they found the right team of people The one thing they wish they have approached differently Hope you enjoy this episode and take away some nuggets of gold when it comes to kicking off your next crowdfunding campaign.  Book a Coaching Call with Sal Sponsors:  Fulfillrite: Kickstarter and crowdfunding reward fulfillment services. They come highly recommended! Download their free shipping and fulfillment checklist.  

I'm not a financial advisor; nothing I write in Superpowers for Good should be considered investment advice. You should seek appropriate counsel before making investment decisions. I purchased shares in Raise Green.Devin: What do you see as your superpower?Jackie: My work ethic is really my superpower.Jackie Logan is the co-founder and CIO of Raise Green and one of my favorite humans. Her kindness exceeds her brilliance. I'm excited to have her as an advisor for The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation.Raise Green is a FINRA-registered crowdfunding portal focused exclusively on climate solutions. Now, Raise Green is raising capital itself via Wefunder.AI Summary* Raise Green is a FINRA-registered crowdfunding platform for the climate tech industry.* Its mission is to democratize ownership of the clean energy transition.* They are currently crowdfunding on Wefunder.* Key elements for successful crowdfunding include a story, financial expectations, and marketing plans.* Investors should be thoughtful about their financial goals and use common sense when investing.* Jackie Logan's interest in environmental activism stems from family values and an appreciation for nature.* Raise Green allows individuals to invest in climate solutions and support the transition from dirty to clean energy.* The company aims to create a more inclusive and equitable way of funding climate solutions.* Interested individuals should explore Raise Green and become involved in the movement toward climate action.* CIO Jackie Logan emphasizes the importance of hard work, collaboration, and a thirst for learning in driving positive change.Jackie's Raise Green StoryRaising JackieJackie's journey to becoming a leading climate financier requires us to understand a bit about this Wharton MBA who spent at least two decades on Wall Street, working in turns both Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs.Jackie's parents brought her to the US as a child. “My father escaped the Holocaust.”“We lived by a few principles: number one, we were very grateful that we were in the United States,” she says Others included hard work, “charity begins at home, be good to your neighbor and educate yourself.”“While I grew up here in New York City, my summers were on a dairy farm, living off the earth, gardens, etcetera. So, the appreciation of nature and the importance of it,” she says.In addition, she says, “My uncle was a big environmentalist activist already in the early 60s, picketing in front of the Capitol.”Prioritizing Climate“In 2016 or 17, I had the opportunity to see the development of certain ESG strategies and realized that with this looming climate crisis we had, we needed to get private capital moving very quickly directly into climate projects, innovative things that were happening,” Jackie says.“I just felt that what was available the big public market ESG stuff that was going on—didn't hack it for me,” she says. “My kids are grown. I just decided it was the right time for me to take my 20, 25 years of experience in the capital markets and put it into something that would be directly moving capital directly into climate. And that's exactly what Raise Green is.”Raise Green isn't happening in a vacuum. It is just one part of the solution, as Jackie sees it. “We need to attack this from so many angles.”“With the Inflation Reduction Act and the other two acts that we have recently coming out of the government, the tailwinds are there,” she says.“Policy is one thing, and actually putting it into action is another,” Jackie says. “We are giving small to medium-sized folks the ability to take financing into their own control, speak to their community and the public and raise capital.”Raise Green Helps“What is unique about Raise Green is that we are 100 percent dedicated to climate solutions and clean energy,” Jackie says.“We work with companies in the climate tech space all the way to folks that are doing climate clean energy projects across the United States who are looking to raise capital—equity or debt—and get them up on our platform and open them up to just about anyone to invest for as little as $100,” she continues.“Our attitude is, ‘Hey, jump on RaiseGreen.com, click invest, and for as little as $100, you can identify a project or a company that is doing something that speaks to you,” Jackie says. “This is a financial investment, which means that you have the potential for a financial return plus impact at the same time.”Help Raise Green“We are a startup ourselves; we've been around since we started in 2018, got our license in 2019 and launched our first offering in July of 2020,” Jackie says, recapping the startup's five-year journey in a single sentence.The Raise Green team is currently raising money, much of it via a successful Regulation D campaign only open to wealthy accredited investors. To conduct that offering in harmony with the values they espouse, they decided to add a crowdfunding component.“We are doing it on Wefunder, which is a B Corp.,” Jackie says, after reminding me that portals aren't allowed to raise money for themselves on their own platform. She says the team is hoping to raise $100,000 via the Reg CF offering and would welcome up to $500,000 there.At this writing, the Wefunder campaign stands at almost $77,000. (Wefunder displays the total capital raised under both offerings but makes the crowdfunding portion visible if you click the little “i” for information.)Importantly, both offerings are made on the same terms, Jackie says. So, an ordinary investor who puts in $100, gets the same deal that someone investing $100,000 in the Reg D offering.In all of Jackie's work, she leverages her work ethic as a superpower.Superpowers for Good is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.How to Develop Your Work Ethic As a SuperpowerJackie attributes her work ethic largely to the way she was raised by her parents. It has proven powerful.She shared an example of how she uses her superpower today:I'll just use an example of one of the issuers that was on our platform. They weren't the most obvious issuer to come through Raise Green. Three women co-founded a company called Ola Filter. I really mean bright and capable women designing a water filter for developing countries—which you'd say, “Well, you know, why Raise Green?”And I'll just say that I just saw the opportunity of us—Raise Green and myself—working with them to help them coordinate and pull their paperwork together, etc., etc., really could make the difference between this happening and not. Yeah, that is one of the experiences that I feel that my rolling up my sleeves, putting the time and effort into something—which is part of my superpower—made something very significant happen. And they're off and running.Jackie thinks of hard work as comprising respect for others paired with a belief in the possible. Developing a work ethic into a superpower is a mindset.By following Jackie's example and her advice, you can make your work ethic into a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.SuperCrowd23Jackie will be speaking at SuperCrowd23, held May 10-11. She'll be part of a fascinating conversation about experiences with and best practices for crowdfunding investment clubs. Her colleague, Raise Green CEO Franz Hochstrasser, will be part of a panel discussion of ten portal CEOs. Don't miss a minute!Readers get half-price tickets here. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at devinthorpe.substack.com/subscribe

Hi everybody. Are you a start-up business looking to raise funds? Or maybe you're looking to work with-- or for-- such a business? Then again, maybe you're just looking to invest a small sum of money in a start-up? If so, then you'll enjoy listening to this episode of Looking Forward. On it, you'll hear what my guest expert, Kat Kuzmeskas, says about a relatively new way to do any of the things I just mentioned. It's called Regulation Crowd Funding, or "Reg CF" for short.Among other things, Kat will talk about (1) crowdfunding, and how it's being used to raise funds for a whole variety of individuals, nonprofits, and businesses, (2) Reg CF, the relatively recent, crowdfunding-related regulations in the United States, which allow startup businesses to raise funds from "regular" investors, not necessarily high net-worth individuals, and (3) the opportunities that Reg CF offers not only to businesses, but to small investors all over the globe who want to participate in a startup's potential growth... and possibly gain an equity share down the road. Kat will also speak about the job and freelancing opportunities that these Reg CF startups offer, and in true Looking Forward fashion, she'll offer some tips on how to capitalize on some of the opportunities she mentions. Now a little more about Kat: Kat Kuzmeskas is the President of Tamarin and Shyro, two health care companies. She has dedicated her entrepreneurial career to making data more accessible in healthcare, especially for patients. As a former hospital administrator at Yale New Haven Health, she was shocked to learn that it was easier to buy healthcare data than it was for patients and providers to access data for care. So, she wanted to tackle this issue. Kat is also a Teach For America alum, having taught in under-served communities along the Texas-Mexico border.You can learn more about Kat and her companies by contacting her on LinkedIn, e-mailing her at katherine@shyro.health, or visiting the websites https://www.tamarin.health/ or https://www.shyro.health/You'll find more information about my business, Jeff Ostroff & Associates, LLC, in the middle of this episode and by visiting https://www.jeff-ostroff.com/On the website, you can also contact us about the various marketing and communications services we offer, such as (1) podcast hosting, creation, consulting, and column writing, (2) professional voice overs, (3) B2B/B2C interviewing for individuals and businesses looking to promote themselves or better understand their customers and prospects, (4) consulting/training on how to excel behind or in front of the microphone as an interviewer or guest, and (5) senior marketing assistance. (Hey, I've actually written a book about that!) You can also reach me at jeff@jeff-ostroff.com** If you enjoy this episode, please be sure to tell your family, friends, and other members of YOUR network about it… and encourage them to listen to it, too. Also, please give it a "like" and/or a good review. And, hey, go ahead and subscribe to this podcast. :)-Looking Forward is THE podcast about the OPPORTUNITIES created by global trends, now and into the future, and how YOU might capitalize on those: Think... jobs, careers, business start-ups, ventures, investments, life enrichment.Guests are experts in their field, and most are C-suite executives, household names,...

Equity crowdfunding is becoming all the rage right now. But here's the bigger news: It's not rocket science to do a successful equity crowdfunding campaign and today's story proves it! In this episode of the Crowdfunding Demystified podcast, Salvador Briggman talks to the CEO of Altwork Che Voigt, who is the only person in the crowdfunding history to raise both a Republic and Seedrs campaign! You'll hear his top insider tips for founders, including: Why choose equity crowdfunding over venture capital? How long does it take to build a big fanbase on Seedrs?  What is the one thing most people underestimate when it comes to doing an equity crowdfunding campaign? We hope you enjoy the interview!  Book a Coaching Call with Sal Sponsors:  Fulfillrite: Kickstarter and crowdfunding reward fulfillment services. They come highly recommended! Download their free shipping and fulfillment checklist.  

What is the one thing that all successful founders have in common? They have a very strong vision (and often quirky habits, apparently). In today's show, we explore how an incredible startup has managed to unite so many people around its vision and raise over $9 million to bring its products to the world! So in this episode of the Demystified Crowdfunding podcast, Salvador Briggman speaks to the co-founder of Gryphon John Wu about the things he and his team have done behind the scenes to unlock this massive success. You'll hear great insider tips and information on: How to create a highly impactful offer that people will want to invest in? Reg CF vs. VC - which one is right for you? What is the one thing he learned from doing the first Kickstarter that he then applied in the next campaigns? You're going to love this story! We surely did! Book a Coaching Call with Sal

Equity crowdfunding may sound a bit complex at first but it's not. Especially if you hear about it from someone with tons of industry experience. So, in today's Crowdfunding Demystified podcast, we speak to one of the legends in the crowdfunding space, Jonny Price of WeFunder, about all the exciting things that have been happening in the industry recently, including an exciting initiative by WeFunder coming up! Jonny will share some expert tips and more great information on: Is WeFunder suitable for your project? How are founders supported with the campaign launch? What type of legal support will you need along the way? Whether or not you are new to the equity crowdfunding space, we promise you'll leave today's show armed with some fresh insights! Get an exclusive free copy of Sal's Equity Crowdfunding Explained Audiobook Sponsors:  Fulfillrite: Kickstarter and crowdfunding reward fulfillment services. They come highly recommended! Download their free shipping and fulfillment checklist.

Chelinde Edouard is Co-Founder and CEO of MustWatch, which connects people through television. Chad talks with Che about creating a social and user engagement platform that allows people to come back and constantly use an app without interrupting TV-watching experiences, how they use data to improve user experience, and fundraising and giving investors opportunities to help build out the app, increase marketing, and potentially build an Android version. MustWatch (https://mustwatch.com/) Follow MustWatch on Twitter (https://twitter.com/realmustwatch) or LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/realmustwatch/). Follow Che on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/che-edouard-10013964/). Follow thoughtbot on Twitter (https://twitter.com/thoughtbot) or LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/150727/). Become a Sponsor (https://thoughtbot.com/sponsorship) of Giant Robots! Transcript: CHAD: This is the Giant Robots Smashing Into Other Giant Robots Podcast, where we explore the design, development, and business of great products. I'm your host, Chad Pytel, and with me today is Che Edouard, Co-Founder and CEO of MustWatch, which connects people through television. Che, thank you for joining me. CHELINDE: Thank you for having me. I appreciate it. CHAD: So astute listeners of the show will note maybe that name sounds familiar. And that's because you and MustWatch were mentioned on Episode 419, which was about the GK Fund with Michael Benezra. And I asked him for examples of the kinds of companies that he was excited about that they had given their grants to. And you're the one he called out, and so that jumped out at me. And thanks for joining the show. CHELINDE: Thank you for having me. Really appreciate it. And I definitely want to shout out the GK Fund. They've definitely been a huge support to us since giving us the grant. And they're definitely leading the charge in this new avenue of racial inequality and helping startups in that fashion in Boston. CHAD: So I'm curious; before we get too far down the road of where you're at today and how you got there, let's take a step back and just remind people what MustWatch is. CHELINDE: Absolutely. MustWatch is an app that's on the App Store now. So even if you have an iPhone, you can download it. And it's an app that's revolving around TV. So it allows you to see what shows your friends watch, chat with them about them, and send recommendations all in one place. So we think of it as like a social hub for all of your TV needs. CHAD: I think people who hear this might be like, oh, does this exist already? That kind of thing. And there are a couple of things a little bit like this, but it doesn't seem like there's really anything that's quite like this, right? CHELINDE: Exactly. So a lot of the social TV apps and other services today focus on one feature, for example, chat or recommendations, or giving reviews about shows, or having a list of them. But our app, we do all of it in one place. So on our app, it can show which shows you like. You can also share with your friends directly; hey, you should go watch this show because I think you should like it. We also have this feature called watchlist, which is our natural social recommendations of here are all the shows that your friends are watching that you don't watch. And so it's a way to give people a way to find new shows without getting the same recommendations from Netflix and Hulu that are not really accurate today. CHAD: How did you hit upon this idea? CHELINDE: Actually, one of my high school friends, we were all brainstorming and coming up with ideas for companies. And then one day, he was at work, and he was trying to talk about Game of Thrones, but his boss wouldn't let him because he wasn't caught up on the season. He wasn't there. CHAD: [laughs] CHELINDE: So he was like, how do I find someone or talk to someone who's caught up to where I'm at so I can actually have a conversation? And so we brainstormed, and we tried to solve the problem of let's just create a spoiler-free chat kind of solution that would allow people to talk about shows that they're caught up on. And then that we've iterated and evolved, and that's kind of led to where we're at today. CHAD: And when was that? CHELINDE: That was, I want to say, 2014. That was when I graduated from BU. So in the summer of 2014, that's when we first had the idea. And then from there, we just brainstormed, had a bunch of meetings, and then just took a year in stealth mode trying to figure out how we wanted to create a business plan. And then, from there, we hit the ground running. CHAD: You and your friend, what were your sort of core competencies, the two of you? CHELINDE: I'm the tech background, so to speak, because, as I mentioned, I went to BU. My degree is in management information systems, which is basically business IT. So I was trying to leverage all my technology skills there and also my business skills to say how do we, one, build the app and two, create a business that can actually support it for the long term? And he had more of the idea on the customer side of how can we create an experience or a user engagement platform that allows people to constantly come back and constantly want to find more reason to use our app? Because as we know, people watch the show on TV, but the app is a conduit to that. And so, we want to figure out a way to get people to constantly use our app but also not interrupt their TV-watching experience. CHAD: So you said you're trying to figure out a business plan. You're refining the concept. At what point do you start making the leap to actually writing an app? CHELINDE: With all apps, you start with this concept called wireframes, and so we built out a bunch of wireframes. Two of my friends from high school we all built the app together. And then one of them went to Miami, and his friend from Miami he's the one that actually helped us develop the app and code. And so we worked with him to actually say, "Hey, these are our wireframes. We're trying to make this into an app. Can you build it out?" And so, we worked with him over a year to make that a reality. CHAD: And it took about a year to get to launch. CHELINDE: We actually started on Android, and we were trying to create an MVP or prototype. And so we took that idea like I said, we were working for a year, to this company called Netcapital, which is a crowdfunding platform for startups and companies. And we launched on Netcapital in May of 2020. With that idea, we raised 50k in almost three months. And with that money, we actually built the app from there. And so the app you see in the App Store now is from the money that we've raised on Netcapital. CHAD: Did you throw away that original version and start over? CHELINDE: I wouldn't say throw away. We kind of used it as a launching point. But we don't have any Android version right now. We're strictly in iOS. CHAD: Yeah, that was notable to me. Tell me more about that. CHELINDE: So going from Android to iOS it was really a business decision there because our developer had knowledge in Android but didn't have the iOS background. And so when we went on Netcapital, we used that money to actually hire a real development team. That's who's building our app now. So we work with them to build our app. And going to iOS has allowed us to, at least in the meantime, expand in the U.S. market a lot quicker. CHAD: Now, are they building it in first-party frameworks only for iOS, or are they using something that is going to allow you to go expand to Android in the future? CHELINDE: So right now, we're strictly iOS only. We would like to move to a React Native or a tool that allows us to promote to both. When we first started, we wanted to just focus on iOS, given our costs. CHAD: These are common problems that a lot of startups or common decisions that a lot of startups have to make. And it's not always straightforward. Were you worried about this? CHELINDE: Yes. Because that's one of the things now it's we would love to have an Android version. But for me, being more of a purist, I didn't want the code to work in one system and not another. And given that we only had...in my mind, it's like you have one shot to make an impression. And when you go out and launch it on the App Store, I didn't want it to be half-baked in one and half-baked in the other. I'd rather have one be exactly how we want it to look, and then we can adapt as we grow. CHAD: How has it been working for you, then? CHELINDE: So far, so good. We're actually in the process of releasing some new features later this month, and so like I said, the watchlist feature, which allows you to add shows that you're going to watch in the future. We also have the ability to create chats through the chat functionality because previously, you had to create a new chat every single time. So we've made it easier for people to start chats, and also you can do group chats as well. So it's not just individuals. You can have a whole group of people in one conversation. CHAD: So some of these features there must be a backend server powering all of this, right? CHELINDE: Yes. So we use the Google Cloud Firestore for our backend. And another cool part about our app is we have a lot of analytics about what people are watching. And that's where we take their data from our cloud, the Google Cloud Firestore, and we send it to the BigQuery, also a Google platform. And then we use the Google Analytics that we have on the app to then do our reports around who's watching what, top 10 shows for the past month, the top 10 shows based on if you're male or female, based on what age group. So we have all the analytics on the viewing habits from the data that we've collected. CHAD: Can you tell me how many users you have now? CHELINDE: As of right now, we are at 820. We are looking to obviously get a little bit over to that 1,000 users mark, and then we can have a better sense of what kind of insights we can glean from there. CHAD: Well, hopefully, coming on this show will help you do that. So if you're listening and this sounds interesting to you, where are the best places...so people can search for MustWatch on the App Store, the iOS App Store? CHELINDE: Yep. And we also have a website mustwatch.com if people want to check that out as well. CHAD: Yeah, so let's do it. Let's push them over the top and get those numbers up. I'm curious about usage patterns. Are you able to see any patterns in terms of what causes people to either keep using the app or not? CHELINDE: Yeah. So the main thing that keeps people using the app is having chat groups with people and then also getting recommendations. Like I mentioned before, we have the social recommendations of people just showing you what shows people watch. But there's also direct one-to-one. If you're on the app, I could send you a recommendation. And that's what drives a lot of people to go on the app and find new shows. Another thing that we see is a lot of people just searching, just looking up the shows that are on the app because our database of shows is actually pretty robust. I was talking to someone yesterday; he's Korean. And he was using his phone to type in a show. And he was using a Korean keyboard, and the show came up. And he was like, "Oh wow, I didn't even know you guys support multiple languages." And I was like, "Yes, we support." Our database of shows is very expansive. So if you're in Korea, if you're in Japan, if you like anime, if you like telenovelas, we have all types of shows on our app as well. CHAD: Do you get that database from somewhere? CHELINDE: Yeah, so there's actually a TV show API called TMDB, which pretty much is an open-source, free database that you can pull from. So we use that as our source for shows. CHAD: That's cool. Speaking of shows, I noticed on the MustWatch website, on the team page, you all list your favorite shows and what you're currently watching. I think you and I have different tastes in shows. [laughter] I have heard of the shows that are your favorite, but I have not watched any of them. CHELINDE: Oh wow. [laughs] What are your favorite shows? CHAD: I think actually my shows match the shows listed by Rob, your CFO. CHELINDE: Oh wow. [laughs] CHAD: And my all-time favorite show is, I think, The Leftovers. CHELINDE: Okay. So yeah, and that's the cool thing about this app is like, if you're on the app, you would see Rob's shows on the app too. Because if you download the app, you become friends with all of us immediately, so you have friends on there to start. CHAD: Oh, that's a cool idea. CHELINDE: So it gives you a way to just see what the app can look like before...because if you're on there by yourself as one person, it's a social app. It's meant to be with people. It doesn't really give you that clarity. So I bring that up because that's the one cool thing about the app is you always are surprised by what shows people watch, even if they're your friend. It's like, oh, I didn't know you would like that show. Or oh, I liked that show, and you don't like that show. And it's a very cool icebreaker or just a social connection that you can make because everyone's putting shows on the app. And one way, actually...I was talking to someone the other day thinking about how like Spotify, you put all your playlists and all your shows. This app is kind of like a Spotify but for TV shows and also for movies. So it's not just shows, movies as well. CHAD: And the cool things that Spotify does in terms of the reports that they release annually to each individual person and everything. Like, that's all stuff you can do too. CHELINDE: Yep. CHAD: Yeah, it's cool. So your background actually is in sort of business intelligence, data analysis, and analyst, right? CHELINDE: Yes, that's correct. For my day job...I just want to back up. I also have a day job while also doing this. And I've primarily been the past couple of years a BI analyst. So previously, I was at HarbourVest, which is a private equity firm here in Boston. And then, I recently joined Liberty Mutual Investments also as BI data analyst. So I've been very involved in the financial services side of data analytics, which has allowed me to just get other insights on how technology works and just also getting exposure to the whole industry as well. CHAD: So you basically have two reasons why you want to get the number of users up. One is from a co-founder perspective and founder perspective; you want to get the number of users up. But from a data perspective, you want to get the users up so that you have more data to play with. CHELINDE: Exactly, exactly. The more users we have, the more data we can collect. And then data we can glean insights, and then provide value to our customers as well. Because our app users, if we can know which shows they are liking, we can also then tell them about shows that they also might like. Because once you find commonalities in shows that people are liking, you can then give them better recommendations. And we think that the social aspect of our app, the fact that we have all of your friends on there and they're giving you recommendations, it's better than just, oh, you've watched this show in the past three years, and it's on Netflix's algorithm of watched shows. That, to us, doesn't really seem as insightful and helpful to people. Mid-Roll Ad: When starting a new project, we understand that you want to make the right choices in technology, features, and investment, but that you don't have all year to do extended research. In just a few weeks, thoughtbot's Discovery Sprints deliver a user-centered product journey, a clickable prototype or Proof of Concept, and key market insights from focused user research. We'll help you to identify the primary user flow, decide which framework should be used to bring it to life, and set a firm estimate on future development efforts. Maximize impact and minimize risk with a validated roadmap for your new product. Get started at: url tbot.io/sprint CHAD: So you mentioned you have another job in addition to all this work you've been doing on MustWatch. How has that been? You know, starting a company, working on it while also having a full-time job elsewhere? CHELINDE: Yeah, it's definitely been, I guess, one of the challenging things I would say. It's definitely been rewarding. It takes a lot of time management, I would say, because you have to balance your day job and manage something on the side. I think the biggest hurdle I had was when we were first launching the app on the App Store, meeting with developers, and trying to fundraise all at the same time because I was just pressed for time. Because of the COVID, COVID happened right when we were launching. So working from home all day everyday kind of helped because I didn't have an hour commute anymore. So I got two hours back in my day. So I could, instead of going to work and just commuting, I had an hour in the morning and an hour after. I could use that time for MustWatch. But I had to definitely sacrifice some of my social life to make that happen. [laughter] CHAD: I assume that you have the plans that you would hope that things with MustWatch get to the point where you could do it full time. CHELINDE: Yes. The goal is to get MustWatch to a point where we can pay our employees and have salaries, and everyone can just be working from the company. But as everyone knows, if you're in a startup, you got to just not pay yourself and make sure everything goes into the company. How I see it is you can't pay yourself until everything else is working. CHAD: Yeah, I mean, people hear the startup stories of raising a whole bunch of money, working exclusively on it, having more than enough. I think that that's actually not necessarily the norm; that's the outlier. I think it's more common, more widespread to do what you're doing, to have an idea, and to be working on it and growing it while also holding down another job. CHELINDE: Because as we all know, the bills need to be paid, [laughs] and those don't go away. But I didn't want to give up on the dream. So if you want to make it happen, you can make it happen because while I was at HarbourVest, I also was at Babson getting my master's degree in business analytics. So at one point in time, I was working full-time at grad school and doing MustWatch. To me, that was probably the most busiest period of my life, but I did get through it. [laughs] But definitely took a lot, but now we're here. And we've gotten support from the GK Fund, and I couldn't be happier with where the future lies ahead. CHAD: One of the things about the GK Fund is that it's a grant. It's not an investment where you're giving up part of your company in order to do it, which I think is really important, especially for very early-stage companies, not to have to give away a significant portion of their company just to get some angel investment or that startup fund. I assume that's one of the reasons why it's been a big impact for you. CHELINDE: Absolutely. I mean, one, having it not be an investment was a lifesaver for us. At the time, we were still trying to figure out how to just get cash to get to the next stage. And so, for us, a grant was literally the blessing or a miracle at the perfect timing because it allowed us to...it gave us a little kickstart. Because I mean, as everyone knows, if you're a startup, you're always low on cash. And you're always trying to decide what's the best way to move the company forward? And that just gave us that breathing room without having to worry about paying it back, or a timetable to now let us actually grow and do what we can do best. CHAD: Do you hope to take a more traditional investment in the future? CHELINDE: Yes. So we're actually planning to do another fundraising on Netcapital. This time we're planning to raise $450,000. And that's going to help us build out the app, increase our marketing, and then potentially also build an Android version. CHAD: So I'm not sure that everyone who's listening will know what Netcapital actually is. CHELINDE: Yep. So Netcapital is a crowdfunding equity platform which allows retail investors to directly invest in startups. So if you're looking for another way to get into early-stage companies, Netcapital is a great place to do that. It's similar to if you've heard of StartEngine. It's a similar concept to that. And it's mainly you pretty much buy shares in a company, and then that company will then take that money to then use it for the funds that they have set in their offering. And you actually get an equity stake in the company. And so, for us, it's great because typically, those types of fundraising opportunities don't come for us. You need to have VC-backed or some kind of angel investor to get to that level. But having it be open to everybody, there's a larger pool of retail investors that allow you to get to where you need to go. Because if you can get a couple of your family, friends around to give you like a hundred or a couple thousand, it's definitely a better avenue than just going the VC route or just getting a loan from a grant or a startup, an SBA loan, something like that. CHAD: Traditionally, something like Netcapital was not really possible. But my understanding is that in 2016, the laws changed to allow smaller investments and get actual equity and for companies to offer it in such a way that wasn't possible before. CHELINDE: Yes, I believe it's called a Reg CF, Regulation Crowdfunding, and that was the law that was passed in 2016. And that is crucial to us being able to have an offering on Netcapital. CHAD: So it's not like Kickstarter where, you know, in Kickstarter, you're offering a new product or something, and people aren't becoming investors in your actual company. Netcapital is they are actual investors. And so, as an entrepreneur, as a company, what do your obligations to those investors look like? CHELINDE: So because they're investors, we have to give them quarterly updates. We have to file our annual report. We have to disclose any conflict of interest. There's a whole SEC team that has to approve and review any offering that goes on the platform to make sure that we are following all SEC guidelines. And then also, we are liable because they're investors. So they can email us. They can reach out to us, and we will respond because they are our shareholders. [chuckles] And so we need to make sure they're happy as well. CHAD: Yeah, with one of the things that Netcapital does is it sort of works like Kickstarter in that if you don't meet the goals that you've set, it doesn't actually happen. CHELINDE: Yep, there's a minimum investment threshold, so it depends on how much money you're raising. So last time, when we raised 50k, the minimum was 10k. So if we didn't get over $10,000, all the investors would get their money back. But if we got over that threshold, then that's the money that we would be able to use for our company. CHAD: 450,000 is significantly more than 50,000. What do you feel like you need to do in order to make sure that you hit the goal? CHELINDE: So one thing is going on podcasts like this to make sure that people know about it. [laughter] Secondly, we're actually going to be partnering with the GK Fund to do some more media exposure there. And then we're also partnering with Silicon Valley Bank because they're actually our partners on the banking side. And so, I'm going to be partnering with their network to leverage their connections as well. And then we're also going to be just doing the classic social media, posting on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, friends, or family. All avenues of media we will be pushing out MustWatch. CHAD: When do you expect to open up that listing? CHELINDE: We're targeting mid-July right now. So that's when we're planning on going live on Netcapital pending the compliance review and all the other legal stuff, but that's when we plan to go live. CHAD: Okay, well, if you're listening to this episode, it's going to be going live in a couple of weeks. And so definitely follow along and check it out. Cool. Well, what are your goals for that next funding round? What do you expect to use it for? CHELINDE: We expect to use our funding round on improving the iOS experience, so adding more features because we've gotten some customer feedback. And we have a laundry list or a backlog of items we want to add but obviously limited by cash constraints. So once we have the money, we can do what we want to do. And then we also would like to improve our marketing. So we want to have a real marketing team and improve our SEO. And then we also have a connection with Hollywood. So the writer for Ford and Ferrari, his name is Jason Keller is on our team. And we want to see how we can get our foot in the door with Hollywood as well. CHAD: That's really cool. What would that look like in your ideal scenario? CHELINDE: Ideally, we'd have some celebrities or Hollywood A-listers on the app using MustWatch and then promoting their shows or promoting our app in one of their media engagements as well. CHAD: Or chatting with people about the episode that just came out and that kind of thing. That'd be really cool. CHELINDE: Yeah, exactly. We want to get people to just engage on the app with celebrities as well. That's definitely one of the avenues we were thinking as well. CHAD: One of the big trends right now is TV companies making companion podcasts to the shows that they make. I can totally see them doing this kind of thing as well. CHELINDE: As we all know, user engagement and fan engagement is crucial for these companies, and MustWatch would be a crucial way for a lot of companies to connect easily. CHAD: This is a little bit of an aside, but I was sort of surprised that you were able to get mustwatch.com. CHELINDE: It was not cheap. [laughter] I think for some people who were following us for a while, when we first launched, our name was WatchParty. And that's how we originally started our company. But as we evolved, Facebook released a watch party feature; Hulu, Amazon all have these watch party features, and they weren't exactly like our company. And we didn't want to get any confusion in branding. And so we had a long discussion around what name do we change to, and how do we still convey the right feel for the app, and what we want to do? Because on our app, you're not watching the show on our app, I want to make that very clear. It's all about finding a new show, chatting, and connecting with people, but you're not watching on the app. And so it's tough to...not tough, but we wanted to make sure that people knew that the app was for finding new shows. But also, it has to be like a must-watch. Like, I need to go watch this right now because it's something really good. And so that's how we came across this name. CHAD: You mentioned earlier on that expenses are tight when you're working on something new. How worried were you about spending money on a domain name? CHELINDE: So this is also where our partnership with Netcapital came into play because they helped us in terms of getting us off the ground. And we work with them on the business side as well. And this is one of the avenues where they helped support us. CHAD: Oh, wow. Wow. It's great that you're able to pull together these different resources and get that support. CHELINDE: Yeah, to us, it's been crucial because, without the support, it's very tough to get your name out there. It's very tough to promote the idea. And so, with Netcapital and the GK Fund, it definitely puts us in a better light than usual. CHAD: Well, Che, I really wish you the best and MustWatch the best and your whole team. And good luck over the next few weeks as you open up this round on Netcapital. I ask everybody, again, go check out the app. Sometimes we talk to companies of all different stages on the show. And I especially think it's important when we have someone that's just getting started really trying to hit these user numbers that if people could go check it out, that'd be great. CHELINDE: Really appreciate it. CHAD: If folks want to follow along with you, get in touch with you, that kind of thing, where are all the different places where they can do that? CHELINDE: Reach out to me on LinkedIn. I'm on LinkedIn, Che Edouard. You can reach out to us on mustwatch.com. We have a contact us email there. You can also email me at che@mustwatch.com if you want to reach out. I am available on all platforms. CHAD: Wonderful. And you can subscribe to the show and find notes and a complete transcript for the episode at giantrobots.fm. If you have questions or comments, email us at hosts@giantrobots.fm. And you can find me on Twitter at @cpytel. This podcast is brought to you by thoughtbot and produced and edited by Mandy Moore. Thanks so much for listening, and see you next time. ANNOUNCER: This podcast was brought to you by thoughtbot. thoughtbot is your expert design and development partner. Let's make your product and team a success.

One of the main things about crowdfunding I find really cool is the fact that you can literally do it all! Whether that be a physical product, software, or service, no idea—no matter how out of the box they may seem—is off the table in terms of what can be successfully funded.  If your idea is based around entertainment like games, comics, or in this case, a movie franchise, today is going to be an awesome episode for you! In today's episode of Crowdfunding Demystified, you'll hear Salvador Briggman talk to Stephen and Jason, who form the team behind Onedoor Studios and the Calculated Sequels campaign. The campaign's goal is to invite investors to “own part of three global YA movie franchise sequels produced for major studio release.” In this episode, Stephen and Jason reveal:  What it takes to raise capital for an entertainment project How to connect with your audience and investors What obstacles to expect with regulation crowdfunding and how to overcome them Today is an amazing opportunity to gain insight into the steps needed for a successful crowdfunding campaign. Stephen and Jason were extremely transparent in this episode! As always, make sure you stay dialed in and take note of what's working for your own crowdfunding journey! Resources and Tools Mentioned on the Show Crowdfunding Coaching Equity Crowdfunding Explained Free Equity Crowdfunding Course  Fulfillrite: Kickstarter and crowdfunding reward fulfillment services. They come highly recommended! Download their free shipping and fulfillment checklist. Calculated Sequels

Let me guess: You're looking to raise six figures or more with crowdfunding but have no idea where to start? Or maybe you already own a company but want to raise funds for a specific project…like…say…a software that will take your existing business to new heights! Brace yourself because I'm going to blow your mind. Today's guest raised over $300,000 for their crowdfunding campaign! In today's episode of Crowdfunding Demystified, you'll hear Salvador Briggman talk to the founder and CEO of Kidcaboo, Rebecca, as she discusses the steps taken to achieve success with this project. The passion behind the project was to bring “safety, flexibility, and freedom to today's busy parents, specifically working mothers, who should NEVER have to downplay their ambitions.” This is achieved through a platform for driving nannies to provide ridesharing, specifically for kids. While tuning in, you'll learn: How to identify a problem and attract backers for the solution How to scale effectively What is needed to make a splash in a huge market How to raise funds even if you aren't particularly good at sales If you are looking to expand your project with regulation crowdfunding platforms like WeFunder… This is an episode you NEED to listen to! Resources and Tools Mentioned on the Show Crowdfunding Coaching Equity Crowdfunding Explained Free Equity Crowdfunding Course Fulfillrite: Kickstarter and crowdfunding reward fulfillment services. They come highly recommended! Download their free shipping and fulfillment checklist. Subscribe to my FREE newsletter Kidcaboo

Today, I launched Runner's Reg CF (regulation crowd fund) on Republic.com/Runner! Anyone 18+ in the US and several other countries can invest as little as $100 in my first brand new company since launching Backstage a decade go. Learn more! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/yfm/message

Have you ever watched a crowdfunding campaign raise millions of dollars and wondered, “how the heck do I do that?” Does the magic of getting startup funding seem like an elusive fairytale? Today's guest's crowdfunding experience might just help turn your dreams into actuality! They're here to reveal exactly how they were able to raise an astonishing $1.3 million for their startup on WeFunder. In this episode of Crowdfunding Demystified, you'll hear Salvador Briggman talk to Patrick, President and CEO of GroGuru. GroGuru provides a software solution that links with a wireless underground system (WUGS) to provide farmers with a technology to make money while conserving water and increasing crop yield. Patrick has had extensive experience in the industry of raising capital. He has raised billions of dollars for startups in the past! In today's episode, Patrick reveals:  What inspired him to go from angel investor to taking the reins of this particular campaign The ups and downs of raising capital for startups Advice from someone who has been through many crowdfunding campaigns With his wealth of knowledge and experience in crowdfunding, this is an episode you'll definitely need a fresh notepad for! Resources and Tools Mentioned on the Show Crowdfunding Coaching Equity Crowdfunding Explained Free Equity Crowdfunding Course Fulfillrite: Kickstarter and crowdfunding reward fulfillment services. They come highly recommended! Download their free shipping and fulfillment checklist. GroGuru

Take a look behind the curtain to hear what Arlan revealed to nearly 7,000 stakeholders (including past and current teammates, a portfolio of 200+ companies, ~6,500 Reg CF investors, Backstage fund LPs, Studio investors, and more) at this year's annual stakeholder event! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/yfm/message

So you want to crowdfund your project but don't know what investors actually care about? I believe that you can learn a lot from people who have successfully done what you are trying to do. And if you can find someone who has done it recently, even better! If your goal is to generate over six figures for your startup, wait until you hear from today's guest! In this episode of Crowdfunding Demystified, you'll hear Salvador Briggman talk to serial entrepreneur Eric Janszen. Eric breaks down how he raised a staggering $1,324,916 for his startup, VirZOOM, with Wefunder, a game where fantasy and reality collide to keep you in shape! In this episode, Eric reveals: The challenges of this startup compared to his previous five Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs wanting to approach a launch like VirZOOM The secrets to raising funds he's learned from numerous startups With Eric's contributions to many successful projects, including Rock Band and Guitar Hero, this is definitely an episode you can't afford to miss! Resources and Tools Mentioned on the Show Crowdfunding Coaching Equity Crowdfunding Explained Free Equity Crowdfunding Course Fulfillrite: Kickstarter and crowdfunding reward fulfillment services. They come highly recommended! Download their free shipping and fulfillment checklist. VirZOOM  

You might not know it, but regulation crowdfunding is changing the industry! You no longer need to persuade a few investors to launch your innovative startup. Instead, you can involve the crowd to help you out and raise funds. And today's guest is living proof! In this episode of Crowdfunding Demystified, you'll hear Salvador Briggman talk to Sue, who raised a whopping $162,580 for her company, NETZRO, which developed state-of-the-art food tech that produces nutritious, upscaled ingredients at scale. During the episode, Sue talks about: The journey from an idea to a successful WeFunder campaign How WeFunder is removing the middleman The challenges & benefits of growing a startup But it wasn't smooth sailing for her. Before her WeFunder campaign, she struggled to find an investor who would take her seriously. Nonetheless, she put in the work and blew past her fundraising goal! You can do that too; all you have to do is learn how Reg CF works and take action. While the road might be difficult, the rewards will be worth it! So grab a pen and paper, and enjoy your listen. Resources and Tools Mentioned on the Show Crowdfunding Coaching Equity Crowdfunding Explained Free Equity Crowdfunding Course Fulfillrite: Kickstarter and crowdfunding reward fulfillment services. They come highly recommended! Download their free shipping and fulfillment checklist. NETZRO