Startup investing platforms provide investors with unique data sets to make well-informed decisions. The best startup investing platforms are constantly staying on top of the constantly-changing startup scene, having access to unique data sets only available through the platform, constantly iterating their design, constantly updating their features.
Here are some apps you can get for your mobile phone that will bring you closer to the startup ecosystem. I hope this list will help you get on the road to becoming a better investor in startups or help you get direct access to entrepreneurs who have something worth investing in.
BEST OVERALL Indiegogo
Indiegogo is a clear choice for best overall for its track record of success in helping to fund more than 800,000 ideas all over the world since 2008.Pros
- A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau
- Great for entrepreneurs and investors
- Worldwide operations
Cons
- Charges a 5% platform fee plus a third-party payment processing fee
Indiegogo, Inc., was founded in 2008 by Danae Ringelmann, Eric Schell, and Slava Rubin as these founders sought to fund their own causes and ideas. Today, more than 15 million people visit the Indiegogo site on a monthly basis where about 19,000 campaigns are launched every month.
With Indiegogo, which is available in 235 countries and territories, you can create a crowdfunding campaign for any idea or product that you want to launch. To get started collecting funding using the site, you can set up a campaign for up to 60 days, the fee for which is a 5% platform fee plus a 3% to 5% third-party processing fee.
Their tools allow you to integrate with other platforms, including Meta and Google, to promote your campaign. Once you are done raising money, you’ll receive it via your bank within 15 business days. You can also invest in one of the many thousands of ideas and products and become a backer.
Indiegogo is an accredited business with the BBB with an A+ rating.2
The overall success that so many fundraising projects have seen with this simple platform makes it our best overall pick.
BEST FOR STARTUPSSeedInvest Technology
For startups looking for funding to get off the ground, SeedInvest Technology has attracted more than 500,000 investors and helped over 235 startups raise more than $300 million in financial backing, making it our choice as best for startups.Pros
- 500+ startups funded
- Helps raise awareness among venture capital firms and angel investors
- You don’t have to pay any fees if your fundraiser isn’t successful
Cons
- All startups go through an intense vetting process, but not all are selected
SeedInvest Technology, with headquarters in New York City, was founded in 2012 with the goal of providing a way for investors to back early stage startups. To date, they have funded more than 235 companies making it ideal for ventures needing startup capital.
If you are a founder and want to raise money through SeedInvest Technology, you will need to sign up for an account with SeedInvest, fill out an application, and complete a screening process. This will include a due diligence check. If you are invited to fundraise on the platform, you will need to create a profile and then you can begin the fundraising process. When you close your round, SeedInvest will take a cut of your earnings, including a 7.5% placement fee and a 5% equity fee.
You can use the calculator on their website to get an estimate of how much it might cost you to raise money using their platform. The length of a campaign will depend on your business but can take anywhere from 45 days up to six months.
BEST FOR NONPROFITSMightycause
Mightycause is our choice for best for nonprofits because it offers nonprofits one of the lowest-cost platforms for raising money, while also offering select tools for free.Pros
- Compatible with customer relationship management (CRM) systems, like Salesforce
- You can request a demo for free
- Social media integrations available
- Option to set up year-round fundraising, special events, giving days, and crowdfunding campaigns
Cons
- Features like CRM integrations are a part of the platform’s paid plan
Mightycause was founded in 2006 as a fundraising platform to help nonprofits and individuals raise money online for their causes. Its flexibility for fundraising gives it the edge in this category for organizations seeking donations, as it has helped more than 150,000 causes attract the contributions they needed to meet their goals.
The platform offers a range of campaigns, from peer-to-peer fundraising to giving days. Mightycause charges an average processing fee of 1.2% of the money you raise using the platform plus 29 cents per transaction. The platform offers a free “starter” option, where you can raise money and create fundraising campaigns that are year-round, peer-to-peer, event-related, and more.
You also have the option to upgrade to the “full-services advance plan,” which is a paid version that gives you more features for branding, marketing, and donor management, all for only $99 a month and you can cancel at any time.
Nonprofits can raise funds themselves or individuals can set up a fundraising campaign for their favorite organization.
BEST FOR INVESTINGStartEngine
StartEngine is a standout option for those looking to invest some money because the platform allows everyday people like you to put your money directly into companies and startups you admire and get equity in return, for as little as $100 to start.Pros
- Can invest as little as $100
- More than $200 million raised
- Kevin O’Leary, TV host on ABC’s “Shark Tank” is a strategic advisor of the company
Cons
- Relatively new company
Founded in 2011 by Ron Miller and Howard Marks, with Kevin O’Leary, TV host on ABC’s “Shark Tank” as a strategic advisor, StartEngine is a platform that enables people to become investors in early stage startups. This lay-person-friendly investment approach is why it is our pick as best crowdfunding platform for investors.
You can get started investing in any of the companies listed on its website, from biotech pioneers to travel and tourism startups, with as little as $100, depending on the share value listed for the given company. To help you make an informed investment, each company’s profile includes the company’s valuation, price per share, number of investors, and more.
When you’re ready to invest, simply click the “Invest Now” button and start the process by filling out your personal information and method of payment. If you are a startup trying to get funds, the platform has helped 375 businesses raise funds through its network of more than 300,000 investors.
BEST FOR INDIVIDUALSGoFundMe
A versatile platform that’s helped individuals raise funds for everything from personal healthcare expenses to keeping local businesses alive, GoFundMe is a clear pick for personal fundraising needs. Its track record of success includes bringing in more than $9 billion in funds from over 120 million donations.Pros
- 0% platform fee
- Flexibility to raise money for yourself, a friend, or a charity
- 24/7 expert support available
Cons
- Credit and debit card transaction fees
GoFundMe was launched in 2010 and has become one of the largest fundraising platforms online, having raised more than $9 billion from over 120 million donations. Its success and simplicity help make it the best platform for individuals.
You can set up a GoFundMe page in three simple steps. First, create your campaign by detailing the amount of money you want to raise. Next, tell your story, which can include photos and videos. For the final step, share your campaign with your friends and family via social media, text message, and email.
You can manage the donations you receive via the platform’s dashboard, where you can send thank-you notes, withdraw funds, and more. A benefit of GoFundMe, compared to other platforms that charge platform fees plus processing fees, is that this platform has a 0% platform fee. The company does have a processing fee, which is 1.9% and $0.30 per transaction. You can raise money for as long as you want—there are no time limits or deadlines.
GoFundMe offers 24/7 expert support, in the event you need any assistance setting up your page or have any questions.
Platforms for Startup Investing
Ordinary people can invest in startups via crowdfunding sites. Startup investing platforms offer a curated selection of companies, and require varying minimum buy-ins. Major players in the crowdfunding startup space include:
“Thousands of companies apply to raise on our platform each year, and we approve only about 3% of them,” says Kendrick Nguyen, CEO of crowdfunding platform Republic.
Most of the sites listed above let you get started investing in startups with as little as $100, while SeedInvest requires at least $500.
AngelList is another leading startup investing platform, but it only admits accredited investors with incomes of at least $200,000 ($300,000 if married) or net worth of at least $1 million, excluding their primary residence. Minimum buy-ins on AngelList are at least $1,000.
Conclusion
A number of investment apps have been developed for those that wish to invest in startups and small businesses. One of the most popular is a mobile app called Dunn Capital, which is developed by a group of former hedge fund managers. Dunn Capital lets users invest as little as $200 across a range of different stocks and industries. Users can pick from 345 stocks from across 42 different sectors, or invest in one of 30 pre-built portfolios.