DELIVERABLE D.T3.2.1 Guidelines for Crowdfunders (people who Version 1 are supporting Crowdfunding ideas) 09 2018 CONTENT 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 5 2. Frequently Asked Questions from supporters .................................................................... 5 2.1. General questions about Crowdfunding (all types) ........................................................... 5 2.1.1. What is Crowdfunding? ........................................................................................... 5 2.1.2. Are there different types of Crowdfunding? ................................................................. 5 2.1.3. How does Crowdfunding work? ................................................................................. 6 2.1.4. What does “all or nothing” mean? ............................................................................. 6 2.1.5. What is a “backer”? .............................................................................................. 6 2.1.6. What type of Crowdfunding should I prefer? ................................................................ 7 2.1.7. How do I recognize a trustworthy project? .................................................................. 7 2.1.8. Can I deduct expenses for Crowdfunding campaigns from my income tax? ........................... 8 2.2. Specific questions about Crowdfunding-platforms ............................................................ 8 2.2.1. What are the differences between each platform? ........................................................ 8 2.2.2. How do I recognize a trustworthy platform? ................................................................ 9 2.3. Specific questions related to reward-based Crowdfunding ............................................... 10 2.3.1. What is reward-based Crowdfunding? ....................................................................... 10 2.3.2. Do I have to register to support a project? ................................................................ 10 2.3.3. What kind of (personal) information will be shown to the project-owner? ......................... 10 2.3.4. How can I support projects on reward-based platforms? ............................................... 10 2.3.5. Can I support anonymously? .................................................................................. 11 2.3.6. Are there any fees for supporting a project? .............................................................. 11 2.3.7. When will the money be debited after I supported a project? ........................................ 11 2.3.8. Do I have to choose a reward? ................................................................................ 11 2.3.9. What happens if a project doesn’t reach its goal? ....................................................... 11 Page 1 2.3.10. Do I get an invoice by the project-owner? ............................................................... 11 2.3.11. Are there any risks by supporting a project on a reward-based Crowdfunding-platform? ..... 11 2.3.12. Is there some kind of quality control mechanism on Crowdfunding-platforms? .................. 12 2.3.13. Are projects required to show that their idea works? ................................................. 12 2.3.14. How long does a refund-process usually take? .......................................................... 12 2.3.15. Can I cancel my support once I purchased a reward? .................................................. 12 2.3.16. Is it safe to pledge on reward-based Crowdfunding-platforms? ...................................... 12 2.4. Specific questions related to equity-based Crowdfunding (Crowdinvesting) and lending-based Crowdfunding (Crowdlending) ......................................................................................... 13 2.4.1. What is the role of the investor in Equity-based Crowdfunding? ...................................... 13 2.4.2. Who can become an investor or lender in Crowdfunding? .............................................. 13 2.4.3. Which forms of participation in a company are possible on the different platforms? ............ 13 2.4.4. What types of loans are offered on lending-based platforms? ......................................... 13 2.4.5. Why do I have to identify myself as an investor or lender? ............................................ 13 2.4.6. What is the risk of Crowdfunding for investors? .......................................................... 14 2.4.7. What happens to my investing if the funding target is not achieved? ................................ 14 2.4.8. Do I gain voting rights in the Start-up/company I invest in? ............................................ 14 2.4.9. How is due diligence handled on the platforms? ......................................................... 14 2.4.10. What is the potential of equity-based Crowdfunding? ................................................. 14 2.4.11. What are my investors rights? .............................................................................. 14 2.4.12. Are there any investment-strategies or recommendations in equity-based Crowdfunding? ... 15 3. Exemplary list of available FAQs from Crowdfunding-platforms ............................................ 16 3.1. Austria ............................................................................................................... 16 3.2. Croatia ............................................................................................................... 16 3.2.1. Hungary ........................................................................................................... 16 3.2.2. Poland ............................................................................................................. 17 3.2.3. Slovakia ........................................................................................................... 17 Page 2 3.2.4. Slovenia ........................................................................................................... 17 3.2.5. International ..................................................................................................... 17 4. Local/regional resources for Crowdfunding supporters ...................................................... 17 4.1. Crowdfunding-Resources from Austria ........................................................................ 17 4.1.1. Agencies, experts and platforms ............................................................................. 17 4.1.2. Articles, blogs, interviews ..................................................................................... 18 4.1.3. Academic papers, reports, statistics ........................................................................ 19 4.2. Crowdfunding-Resources from Croatia ........................................................................ 19 4.2.1. Agencies, experts and platforms ............................................................................. 19 4.2.2. Articles, blogs, interviews ..................................................................................... 20 4.2.3. Academic papers, reports, statistics ........................................................................ 20 4.3. Crowdfunding-Resources from the Czech Republic ......................................................... 21 4.3.1. Agencies, experts and platforms ............................................................................. 21 A.1. Crowdfunding-Resources from Germany .................................................................... 22 A.1.1. Agencies, experts and platforms ............................................................................ 22 4.3.2. Articles, blogs, interviews ..................................................................................... 22 4.3.3. Academic papers, reports, statistics ........................................................................ 22 4.4. Crowdfunding-Resources from Hungary ....................................................................... 23 4.4.1. Agencies, experts and platforms ............................................................................. 23 4.4.2. Articles, blogs, interviews ..................................................................................... 23 4.4.3. Academic papers, reports, statistics ........................................................................ 23 4.5. Crowdfunding-Resources from Italy ............................................................................ 24 4.5.1. Agencies, experts and platforms ............................................................................. 24 4.5.2. Articles, blogs, interviews ..................................................................................... 24 4.5.3. Academic papers, reports, statistics ........................................................................ 25 4.6. Crowdfunding-Resources from Poland ......................................................................... 25 4.6.1. Agencies, experts and platforms ............................................................................. 25 Page 3 4.6.2. Articles, blogs, interviews ..................................................................................... 25 4.6.3. Academic papers, reports, statistics ........................................................................ 26 4.7. Crowdfunding-Resources from Slovakia ......................................................................