Crowdfunding: The Concept, Types and Risks

Abstract

The paper is devoted to the study of the essence of crowdfunding as an innovative mechanism of investment activity. The author studies the peculiarities of collective investing, analyzes the process of the formation of crowdfunding as a particular case of a broader phenomenon – crowdsourcing, examines the types of crowdfunding (crowdrewarding, crowdinvesting, crowdlending), examines statistical data characterizing the development of crowdfunding relations in Russia and abroad, highlights the risks associated with crowdfunding. According to the author, the peculiarities of crowdfunding are related to the fact that it is, on the one hand, a form of collective investment activity, and on the other hand, a form of crowdsourcing. It involves the investment of insignificant (as compared with the total required amount) funds, aimed at financing projects at the early stages of implementation (start-ups). One of the participants in the crowdfunding relationship is an intermediary between the investor and the recipient of investments – an investment platform. The purpose of investment may be togenerate income, as well as other benefits, in particular goods, priority access to an innovative product, discounts, or the achievement of a socially useful result.