Advances in Crowdfunding: Research and Practice

 

 

 

 

Chapter Synopsis:

 

 

Introduction

1.     Introduction: Current Perspectives on

Crowdfunding

The chapter will serve as an introduction to the concept of crowdfunding, its various manifestations, and a literature review into key themes in crowdfunding research 2010-2018.

 

Crowdfunding Theory and Practice

2.     Crowdfunding Models and Strategies

The chapter will define the different models of crowdfunding, their unique characteristics, risk profiles, regulatory requirements, and user considerations. The chapter concludes with a novel

model capturing a series of heuristics for user decision making when choosing between models for fundraising or fund- providing/investment purposes.

3.     Crowdfunding: A Historical

Perspective

The chapter will review the historical development of concept of Crowdfunding with examples from different historical changes of its implementation until today. As such, it will highlight the

conceptual transformations and evolution it has went through until recent times.

4.     The FinTech Industry: Crowdfunding in Context

The chapter aims to contextualize the emergence of crowdfunding platforms in the context of an evolving FinTech industry in general. It will present the market gaps left by existing financial

institutions and their historical challenges that have paved the path

for the emergence of the new industry.

 

5.     The Alternative Finance Maturity

Model

The chapter will present a framework with 5 phases of growth of the alternative finance eco-system, from first platforms to full integration in financial eco-system and the role of industry players

and governments to facilitate such growth.

6.     The Global Status of Crowdfunding: Facts and Figures on Alternative Finance

The chapter will present key facts and figures as collected by the Cambridge Center for Alternative Finance in recent years. Based on a database spanning over 130 countries, trends and developments will be outlines at both regional and global levels.

7.     Regulatory Issues and Challenges in

Crowdfunding Practice

The chapter will present key regulatory considerations, challenges and prospective solutions emerging in various countries to legal aspects of crowdfunding practice. This will be discussed with

concrete examples from selected national contexts as well as with

reflection on implications for enablement or hindrance of cross- border crowdfunding transactions.

 

Crowdfunding Models

8.     Equity Crowdfunding - Principles and

Investor Behavior

The chapter will review the unique aspects of the equity crowdfunding model and its manifestations in terms of investor characteristics, motivations and behavioral patterns. This will be

done based on insights from investors.

9.     Lending Crowdfunding - Principles and Lender Behavior

The chapter will review the unique aspects of the lending crowdfunding model and its manifestations in terms of lender characteristics, motivations and behavioral patterns. This will be done based on insights from lenders.

10.  Reward Crowdfunding - Principles and Backer Behavior

The chapter will review the unique aspects of the reward crowdfunding model and its manifestations in terms of contributor characteristics, motivations and behavioral patterns. This will be

done based on insights from backers.

11.  Donation Crowdfunding - Principles and Donor Behavior

The chapter will review the unique aspects of the donation crowdfunding model and its manifestations in terms of donor characteristics, motivations and behavioral patterns. This will be done based on insights from donors.

 

Crowdfunding Operations

 

12.  Building campaigns for success: Drivers of Success and Failure in Crowdfunding

The chapter will present framework for predicting crowdfunding campaign success as well as a prescriptive model for crowdfunding campaign management process. These are based on a comprehensive literature review coupled with evidence from illustrative cases.

13.  Social Networks, Social Capital and

Crowd Wisdom in Crowdfunding

The chapter will review the role of social capital and crowd engagement in the development and success of crowdfunding campaigning. It will highlight specific aspect of network

management consideration and the activation of critical contacts in personal networks.

14.  Ethical Considerations in

Crowdfunding Practice

The chapter will outline prospective ethical dilemmas that may emerge in practice of various crowdfunding models and from a multiple stakeholder perspective. The paper will present a matrix

of dilemmas and approaches one can both identify and consider further action in face of such ethical dilemmas.

15.  Crowdfunding Sustainability

The chapter will present the prospective role crowdfunding can play in the promotion and implementation of sustainable business operation projects and their development. It will illustrate these

 

 

through a case of crowdfunding for sustainable agriculture operations.

16.  Crowdfunding Education: Guidelines, Principles and Models

The chapter will present the need for crowdfunding education and its potential benefits for multiple stakeholders. It will then present a concrete course program employed at a university, discuss the

various program units, and pedagogical approaches. It will conclude with a list of recommendations for educators that may wish to experiment and develop such program further.

 

Crowdfunding in Context

 

17.  Crowdfunding in Africa: catching up and taking lead

The chapter will present current crowdfunding industry market development trends and challenges in Africa, based on insights from a study of local platforms operating in the region. It will

conclude with recommendations for necessary actions by various stakeholders towards the facilitation of growth of the industry in a sustainable and responsible manner.

18.  Crowdfunding in China: turmoil of global leadership

The chapter will present current crowdfunding industry market development trends and challenges in China, as the global leading market for alternative finance solutions, based on insights from a

study of local platforms operating in the region. It will conclude with recommendations for necessary actions by various stakeholders towards the facilitation of growth of the industry in a sustainable and responsible manner.

19.  Crowdfunding in Europe: overcoming fragmentation

The chapter will present current crowdfunding industry market development trends and challenges in Europe, as a fragmented market comprising of many small home markets, based on insights

from a study of local platforms operating in the region. It will conclude with recommendations for necessary actions by various stakeholders towards the facilitation of growth of the industry in a sustainable and responsible manner.

20.  Crowdfunding in North America:

redefining open market capitalism

The chapter will present current crowdfunding industry market development trends and challenges in North America, as the region in which the online manifestations of the concept emerged

originally and based on insights from a study of local platforms operating in the region. It will conclude with recommendations for necessary actions by various stakeholders towards the facilitation of growth of the industry in a sustainable and responsible manner.

21.  Crowdfunding in Israel: from startup nation to crowdfunding nation

The chapter will present current crowdfunding industry market development trends and challenges in Israel, as the leading market in the Middle East and as an global entrepreneurial hub. It will

conclude with recommendations for necessary actions by various stakeholders towards the facilitation of growth of the industry in a sustainable and responsible manner.

22.  Prospects for Crowdfunding in New Emerging Markets: the Cases of Bangladesh and India

The chapter will present the prospects, drivers and challenges towards the development of a crowdfunding industry in the Indian sub-continent building on insights from two markets at different

stages of development (India with an early stage market developing, and Bangladesh with no such market developed yet). It will conclude with recommendations for necessary actions by various stakeholders towards the facilitation of growth of the industry in a sustainable and responsible manner.

 

Conclusion

 

 

23.  Innovations in Crowdfunding

This chapter will outline a number of innovative directions observable in the industry. These include the digitization of ownership rights in investment crowdfunding (Security Token

Offerings), smart contracts in reward-based crowdfunding and

new revenue sharing models on blockchain technology.

24.  Conclusion: Future Perspectives on

Crowdfunding for Entrepreneurs

This chapter will take stock of the various insights accumulated in the various chapters of the book and present an integrative conceptual framework bringing these together. The chapter will conclude with a list of future trends, areas for research, as well as recommendations for multiple stakeholders towards the future

development of the industry in a responsible and sustainable

manner.