Crowd sourced investment is buzzing. It has supported products ranging from luxury soap to financial services. People have become “armchair dragons” and “crowd funding” has created a new market place that anyone can participate in.
Investors are interested in putting their money into social enterprises. They are aware of the growing demand for social and environmental products and services and see the advantages of funding smart start-ups that have a different approach to business. Social and environmental entrepreneurs can take advantage of this, but they need to embrace profit making to be of interest to investors looking for a return - and also to ensure social and environmental benefits can be realised and sustained.