The National Crowdfunding Association Launches America's First Women in Crowdfunding Initiative

NEW YORK, May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the National Crowdfunding Association, www.NLCFA.org, launched its nationwide initiative: Women in Crowdfunding to open the doors of new financing and job opportunities to women coast to coast.  "In my experience with crowdfunding, women 'just get it' better than men do," said David Marlett, Executive Director of the NLCFA.  "Crowdfunding at its heart is people coming together to invest in their community and their fellow citizens, for the advancement of the greater good.  I apologize in advance to my competitive-at-all-costs gender, but women have a natural and immediate affinity to crowdfunding and I expect women will lead the way in many respects."

Heading the initiative is NLCFA founding member CrowdFundingLIVE, www.CrowdFundingLIVE.com, a women-owned crowdfunding platform and events firm based virtually in California, Nevada and Washington, focusing and fostering women in business. CFL founder and partner, Debe Fennell said, "This form of direct investment is revolutionary, and informing women about this opportunity is part of our mission, and the mission of Women in Crowdfunding.  We will be providing an arena of support, mentoring, education and networking about crowdfunding for women so they can share ideas, get involved, use crowdfunding for the benefit of themselves, their families and communities, and prosper on a more even playing field."

Investment Crowdfunding, a revolutionary way of financing businesses in America, arose from part of the JOBS Act signed into law by President Obama on April 5, 2012.  That Act allows small and start-up businesses to raise up to $1 million per year by issuing equity or debt securities to many small investors through an online site (portal).   Investment Crowdfunding adds the investment element to what is an already successful donation model.  Donation Crowdfunding has been increasingly active in America for the past couple of years.  In Donation Crowdfunding people promote a project online and raise donated funds through social networking and marketing to "friends and family," with some projects having already generated funds totaling in the millions. 

Ms. Fennell added, "Women in business operate differently than men, and because they often come late to the arena of running companies, they often lag behind in knowing how to access funding."  Statistics show that women own 46% (8.1 million) of the businesses in the United States, generating $1.3 trillion in revenue and employing 7.7 million.  A large percentage of women who run small business rely on federal funding and subsidies, and are not as experienced in accessing angel investors or navigating the world of private investments. "Crowdfunding will change how women raise funds," added Ms. Fennell.   "We are natural networkers...think soccer mom and executive in one body...so the social media environment works especially well for us."

The NLCFA's Women in Crowdfunding initiative gives a bigger base to connect with more women to engage in conversation, commerce and education via crowdfunding.  Owning nearly half the businesses in the United States, women can and should be leaders in crowdfunding.  Renee Caputi, Co-Founder of Early Shares, www.EarlyShares.com, said, "I am proud that the NLCFA already has many women-founded businesses as members, including our equity crowdfunding portal.  This initiative seems to be a perfect fit."

"Investment crowdfunding, once it truly begins in January, 2013, will grow to be a key source of funds," said Ms. Fennell, "without the degrading and exhausting process of applying for grants, loans, subsidies and investment dollars. Women in technology, finance, education, film, social networking, and direct sales, to name a few, can bring their ideas to the public and have them financed by their community and by people around the world."

The National Crowdfunding Association (NLCFA), the oldest and fastest growing crowdfunding organization in America, is comprised of a wide array of companies, firms and individuals who have an interest in the success of Investment Crowdfunding.  Those members include businesses, crowdfunding portals, investors, attorneys, accountants, vendors, service providers, software developers, consultants, venture capitalists, angel investors, universities, students, and others.

SOURCE National Crowdfunding Association