While the crowdfunding phenomenon has attracted considerable practitioner and scholarly attention, existing research predominantly reflects a U.S.-centric perspective. This article examines crowdfunding platform creation in 15 European countries. Despite the omnipresent reach of the internet, national boundaries shape the evolution of the European crowdfunding industry. Specifically, crowdfunding platform creation varies across countries and distinct national patterns emerge for crowdfunding activity in general.
crowdfunding
Anna Guenther is Cofounder of PledgeMe, New Zealand's first crowdfunding platform. She recently finished her Masters in Entrepreneurship with a focus on crowdfunding and shares her story here.
There are few organizations in the world that can claim more expertise when it comes to storytelling than Pixar. The Disney-owned animation studio is known for its ability to consistently create world-class movies with gripping narrative alongside stunning visuals. Now, Pixar is helping others learn the secrets of great storytelling – for free, in partnership with online education provider Khan Academy.
ASTER is the Consortium among the Emilia-Romagna Regional Government and regional education research and business actors (universities, reserach centers, union of the chambers of commerce).
Some twenty researchers in 
human and social sciences, mostly from the information and communication sciences, from CEMTI (University of Paris 8), CREM (University of Lorraine), and international researchers, are currently studying the phenomena of Crowdsourcing and Crowdfunding in the cultural field in France, the United States, Latin America and Africa.
Crowdfunding minimizes business risk-taking and increases entrepreneurship mind-set, which is why an unused crowdfunding potential represents a huge challenge especially in the eastern parts of central European countries. CROWD-FUND-PORT aims thus to improve skills and competences of all relevant stakeholder groups to prepare them for taking advantage of the crowdfunding phenomena. Change will be visible in improved financial conditions for start-ups fostering innovation, employment and social stability in the region.
Culture Agora, a free-accessible wiki platform dedicated to arts, culture and creative industries, is one of the largest long-term sustainable projects managed by CUMEDIAE, Culture and Media Agency Europe. Culture Agora is a premium, easy-to-use, online meeting place for cultural organizations, professionals and many others interested in the arts and the creative sector.
The internet offers digital spaces that can connect creators and service or content providers with consumers, and with new work, business or financing possibilities. In the sphere of arts and culture, this offers new opportunities for fundraising for events and projects, and for developing collaborative projects among artists, sometimes with public participation. Press read more and find out what the view of the European Parliament is on crowdfunding and crowdsourcing for the cultural and creative industries in Europe.
Crowdfunding is one of the most powerful tools available for organisations to better connect with their communities, increase reach and exposure, raise awareness of their brand and mission, and measure compelling messages, with the opportunity to raise funding that will go directly to their organisations.
But understanding the dynamics of a successful campaign can seem daunting at first, so Arts & Business NI has developed a new crowdfunding toolkit which will take you from concept to campaign launch.
It is impossible to dispute the notion that equity crowdfunding is having a hugely positive effect on the ability of small companies to access finance. The press is filled with stories highlighting the amount of capital that young companies have raised, as well as flagging realisations and other positive developments. However, are investors aware of the risks that an equity investment in a young company entails?
This report has been conducted with the aim of exploring the returns that investors are experiencing in this space.
Pages
