StartEngine Crowdfunding has launched an equity crowdfunding platform allowing individuals to invest in private companies on a public platform.
In a historic first, StartEngine connects aspiring investors, including North America’s 80-plus million Millennials, with the progressive companies of tomorrow, including startup launch partners Elio Motors and mobile games publisher XREAL. The launch corresponds with Regulation A+ of the JOBS Act, which officially takes effect today and enables a broad new range of startup investment opportunities.
“At StartEngine, our goal is to not only become the leading equity crowdfunding platform, but to help entrepreneurs achieve their dreams,” says StartEngine CEO Ron Miller. “We’ve built an industry leading platform to allow companies to take advantage of the greatest advancement for entrepreneurship in a generation. Companies can now advertise the sale of their stock and anyone, not just wealthy people, can invest.”
Partnering with StartEngine at launch, Elio Motors is a transportation startup that challenges the status quo of personal transportation. Founder Paul Elio has created a fun-to-drive, super-economical personal transportation alternative that’s affordable, safe, and environmentally friendly. The Elio is an ultra-high-mileage (up to 84 MPG), sleek American-made two-seater for an incredibly affordable base price (expected to be USD6,800). The Elio is perfect for a wide variety of drivers. Owners of SUVs, minivans and pickup trucks see it as an AND vehicle – keep the functionality of the big vehicle AND you can still afford an Elio for solo commutes. It’s also a great vehicle for first time drivers, college students and “clunker” owners.
“Partnering with StartEngine was a natural fit, since Elio and StartEngine are both built on the principle of efficiency and cutting out unnecessary obstacles in the way of progress,” says Elio Motors founder Paul Elio. “StartEngine is poised to disrupt the course of traditional investment, just as Elio aims to alter the course of how people commute.”
Also partnering with StartEngine at launch is XREAL, a startup mobile game publisher poised to become a leader in mobile eSports. XREAL was co-founded by Jordan Maron (YouTube’s CaptainSparklez – 8.6 million subscribers) and Howard Marks, co-founder and former studio chairman of Activision and Executive Chairman of StartEngine. XREAL’s first title is Fortress Fury, a competitive tower building game that reached more than 1.5 million downloads in its first month in the marketplace. Built for the world’s largest gaming platform, XREAL seeks to elevate mobile and tablet gaming. With multiplayer action optimised for both in-game and real-world tournaments, Fortress Furry is helping to take the global eSports phenomenon onto mobile.
“StartEngine’s alternative investing platform makes it possible for anyone to back the companies they believe in and truly share a stake in their success,” says XREAL co-founder Jordan Maron. “We’re thrilled to be raising funds in a progressive and personal new way that better resonates with my generation.”
StartEngine empowers investors to dip their toes into equity crowdfunding by providing the resources, information and support for everyday consumers to make educated investment decisions. Thanks to Title IV of the JOBS Act and the just-approved Regulation A+, the general public is now able to become shareholders in exciting new startups before reaching an initial public stock offering. Unlike traditional crowdfunding, where backers can only anticipate physical goods or karmic compensation, equity crowdfunding makes it possible to get in on the ground floor and support startups in a whole new way.
