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Creative Fundraising for Startups

November 27, 2021
By James Gussie

A recent study found that crowdfunding campaigns for startups generates $1.5 billion in annual revenue and creates or preserves an estimated 30,000 jobs. How much does it cost to raise money through crowdfunding? The costs range from 3-10%.

Creative fundraising is a great way for startups to raise money. This type of fundraising can be done through events, donations, and other methods.

One of the most important elements of any organization is fundraising. Whether you need money for an educational, scientific, charitable, artistic, or business-related cause, you must have a thorough understanding of how and where to raise cash. WeDidIt is a crowdfunding platform that assists charity groups in raising funds via engaging crowdfunding campaigns. However, over the last year, we’ve approached fundraising from every aspect in order to support our own company as well as assist our charity customers on fundraising.

One of our current customers’ main worries during our first discussions was that internet fundraising – and crowdfunding in particular – is a new(ish) way of collecting funds. They were worried that launching a WeDidIt campaign would mean that the fundraising they accomplished with us would supplant prior fundraising techniques. This is far from the case. Crowdfunding is a great method to reach out to people you wouldn’t otherwise be able to contact via more conventional means.

We advise our customers and follow ourselves that one of the most essential rules of fundraising is to take advantage of every chance to generate cash. We’re always looking for new ways to generate money outside of our regular sales operation as we strive to expand our business.

Here are the five sources of funding we utilized and considered:

1. Competitions for business plans. We studied and applied to many business plan contests after finishing our business plan, and ultimately won the MillerCoors Urban Entrepreneur Series. If you’re thinking about joining a competition, you’ll need a strong business plan, therefore invest in some good business plan software.

2. Business Incubator/Accelerator Programs Over the past 12 months, we’ve applied to at least a dozen accelerator programs, ranging from TechStars New York to Y-Combinator in Silicon Valley. Despite the fact that we were not accepted into any of the accelerators, the interviews and process were beneficial since it forced us to think about our startup endeavor in new ways.

3. Crowdfunding Initiative. We used our own software and website to launch a crowdfunding campaign aimed at our friends and family. The expenses were low, and the results exceeded our expectations. We exceeded our fundraising target by 127 percent and demonstrated to the world that crowdsourcing can be successful.

4. Friends and family, as well as investors. We contacted individuals we knew who we believed may be able to assist us. This wasn’t usually for cash, but rather for networking possibilities and guidance on where to seek for financing. Make it a point to court investors who can also offer strategic value to your company or organization while wooing investors. Great investors have both money and expertise on their side. Make use of both!

5. Take out a bank loan. Loans are one of those tools that makes the most sense when your company’s cash flow is adequate to cover your monthly loan obligations. Loans may not be appropriate for a company that is still figuring out its business strategy. However, if you currently have a large cash flow, a loan may offer you with smart money without causing you to lose ownership.

Take advantage of as many fundraising opportunities as possible, and don’t assume that one fundraising effort will replace another. It’s like when you were younger and getting an allowance was a wonderful thing. It’s fantastic if you obtain a job. You’re doing it properly if you can obtain an allowance plus a job.

Check out their Small Business Spotlight on Up and Running last week to learn more about WeDidIt.

Shutterstock picture of a fundraising event

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The “how to raise money for business idea” is a creative fundraising technique that can be used by startups. This technique will allow the startup to raise more money than they would have otherwise. This technique is also beneficial because it allows the startup to test their product without having to spend money on marketing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I raise money for my startup?

A: The best way to raise money for your startup is through venture capital. Be warned that it can be difficult and take a long time, so you should start preparing early if this path is what you seek.

What are the most profitable fundraisers?

A: Depending on what youre selling, some fundraisers such as raffles and auctions can be the most profitable. However, for general fundraising efforts without a specific goal in mind, surveys are always very effective at making money.

How do creative projects raise money?

A: Creative projects can raise money in a number of ways. This includes using their personal networks, starting a Kickstarter or Indiegogo campaign, and appealing to larger audiences through social media.