European crowdfunding platform Crowdcube, has achieved its eighth record-breaking quarter in a row, as revenue for 2019 surpasses the GBP8 million watershed for the first time. Revenue is up 36 per cent year-on-year, climbing to GBP8.22 million, with a record 220 campaigns funded, up from 198 in 2018.
Crowdcube saw 41 campaigns raising over GBP1m in 2019, with JustPark, Freetrade, Curve and carwow each raising GBP5m or more. Curve, carwow, Chip and Freetrade jointly welcomed over 30,000 new shareholders. A trend towards larger funding rounds has been spurred by entrepreneurs understanding the benefits of engaging their customers and communities by inviting them to become shareholders through Crowdcube.
Internationally, it’s been a breakthrough year for Crowdcube. Investment into overseas businesses doubled from 2018 to 2019. Spanish fintech ID Finance raised a record EUR5.2 million, making this the top overseas campaign, which was followed by shoe company Muroexe with EUR2.8 million and challenger bank Bnext, whose 4,415 new shareholders invested EUR2.6 million. The European Commission is finalising new crowdfunding regulations, which are expected to boost the industry and make access to capital easier for businesses.
Crowdcube’s Luke Lang says: “What a phenomenal year of growth, we’ve helped fund more ambitious businesses than ever before, which has fuelled another record year for revenue at Crowdcube, topping GBP8 million for the first time. Strong growth from overseas campaigns and a trend toward larger funding rounds is very encouraging for 2020 and beyond. It’s wonderful to see forward-thinking businesses of all sizes wake up to the benefits of building an army of brand champions and evangelists from their communities with Crowdcube.”
Crowdcube helped raise GBP125m for UK businesses in 2019, which was 26 per cent more than its nearest competitor. 2019 was the ‘busiest year on record for these platforms’ with 424 deals by UK businesses involving crowdfunding platforms.
Crowdcube’s top five businesses by funds raised in 2019:
1 JustPark, GBP7.1m (EUR8.0m)
2 Freetrade, GBP5.72 (EUR6.5m)
3 Curve, GBP5.3m (EUR6.3m)
4 carwow, GBP5.0m (EUR5.7m)
5 ID Finance, GBP4.6m (EUR5.2m)
Crowdcube’s top three sectors remain constant, with fintech at No1, followed by food and drink and consumer goods. Fintech businesses raised GBP37.1 million, food and drink GBP18.8 million and consumer goods GBP18.4 million. Crowdcube was also the best way for female-led businesses to raise funding, head and shoulders above angel investing, private equity and corporate finance. Notable female founders raising on Crowdcube in 2019 were Louise Hill, Co-founder and CTO of gohenry, Sofia Fenichell, CEO and founder at Mrs Wordsmith, Emma Ash, co-founder of YoungPlanet and Vanessa Tierney, CEO and Founder of Abodoo.com.
