Category: Crowdfunding Lawyer

Recently there has been a major boom in crowdfunding across the internet, both for causes and for products. Kickstarter, for example, is a site where anyone can “invest” on a product that is being developed, which usually results in that person receiving the product at a discount once it is fully funded and produced. GoFundMe […]

Crowdfunding portals require strong terms of use and privacy policy agreements to protect their business interests. The public is generally aware of the role data collection plays in society and most particularly online. Users are now aware that they are being tracked and that certain data is being collected about them. We believe websites that […]

  The rise of the sharing economy and websites like Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and GoFundMe have led to the expansion of crowdfunding portals across the internet. Oftentimes, these businesses are centered around a niche area or serve to advance a social cause. Even if these businesses are serving altruistic goals, many times the entities are for-profit […]

Ah, the Terms of Service agreement. The lengthy agreements we all click though without a second thought before using a new app, software, or website. Although most of us do not have 250 hours a year to devote to reading these agreements, they contain important terms that have an impact on your use of the service. As website agreement […]

Michigan Invests Locally Exemption We have written repeatedly on Michigan’s new crowdfunding regulations established as the Michigan Invests Locally Exemption (“MILE”). Whether you like them or not, the MILE regulations take aim at striking a balance between permitting new avenues of equity-driven fundraising, while seeking to protect its participants from unscrupulous offerors. MILE only applies, […]

SEC social media guidelines will have a substantial impact on how Michigan crowdfunding ventures advertise their offerings. Before reviewing the details of the new rules, let’s take a look at Michigan’s crowdfunding law. A Little History & the Dawn of Crowdfunding Traditionally, a small business owner seeking investments went to friends and neighbors pitching an idea until […]

  The Michigan Invests Locally Exemption (MILE), gives Michigan businesses and investors an opportunity not available on the federal level: the ability to raise capital by selling equity online. This democratization of funding can cause a fundamental shift in how businesses raise money. But, as with any type of investment, taking other people’s money brings […]

Michigan’s equity crowdfunding law, technically referred to as the “Michigan Invests Locally Exemption,” represents a fundamental shift in how businesses can raise capital. The power of turning to the crowd, instead of banks, is an opportunity Michigan businesses have never possessed before. But, equity crowdfunding in Michigan comes with a number of regulations. One of […]

While Michigan has democratized raising capital with its passage of the “Michigan Invests Locally Exemption,” it has also placed some, lets say interesting, regulations on the websites that act as a portal or third-party between the issuing company and the investor. If you are considering using Michigan’s crowdfunding process, explained in general here, you should […]

While businesses and investors are waiting for the SEC to finalize rules to implement equity crowdfunding on a national scale, Michigan businesses and residents can begin utilizing this innovative method of raising money today.   The “Michigan Invests Locally Exemption” now permits Michigan businesses and citizens to use the power of the Michigan-crowd to offer, […]