The phenomenon of crowdfunding is booming. You can stake from just £10 to emulate the likes of Duncan Bannatyne by becoming a "mini-dragon", backing an ever-expanding range of ventures from theatre productions to electronic gizmos. 

A musical production of The Wind in the Willows is among thousands of projects taking part in the trend, raising £1m earlier this year. But as this craze gains momentum, what are the risks? A wide range of websites have sprung up bringing investors together with projects seeking a cash injection. Read more below.