Smart money
Best sites for 'crowdfunding', by which the public is asked to donate or invest small sums to promising projects.
kickstarter.com
Crowdfunding is venture capital for the masses. Whatever the size of your restaurant, art project or musical, these sites match artistic and creative people with contributors. Kickstarter patronises all types of creative endeavour. Each project presents its plan and requirements, while a gauge tells you if they have completed funding. No money changes hands unless the project is fully funded. Artists and creators keep 100 per cent control and ownership over their work.
peerbackers.com
Tired of venture capital funds turning you down? This site helps you reach out to the online community through social networking for financial support. Thousands can see your ideas and support you with contributions as small as US$10 using credit cards or PayPal. Anyone with an idea, project, business or invention can apply for funding. Money contributed is not a loan or investment.
Contributors just get the satisfaction of having backed a (potentially) worthy project.
indiegogo.com
This site is organised in useful sections covering purpose, industry and geography. Some applicants can keep what they raise even if they fail to meet a target. Others commit to fixed funding where they do not receive any contributions if they fail to meet a target. This makes them think realistically about their plans. The site is accessible to any inventor or artist.
