Elite Crowdfund has launched its online equity-based crowdfund platform, which allows accredited investors to connect directly with highly vetted early stage investment opportunities. The launch party on Sept. 9 at 5 Seasons Brewing Company brought more than 120 Atlanta investors to learn about the new platform and hear pitches from the first four startups featured on the Elite Crowdfund website. 

Responding to the mutual needs of investors and entrepreneurs, Elite Crowdfund offers accredited investors the opportunity to invest in selected early growth stage companies in exchange for an equity share in the company while offering companies seeking start-up or early stage funding the opportunity to raise capital through a platform of thousands of qualified investors. The new platform opens the door to entrepreneurs seeking capital to appeal directly to qualified investors looking for new investment opportunities.

Unlike other equity-based crowdfunding platforms, Elite Crowdfund relies on quality, not quantity. Every company listed in the firm’s elite portfolio must meet stringent criteria and complete a thorough due diligence process. Elite Crowdfund evaluates the merits of the business, its ability to scale, the competitive landscape, its risk profile, the likelihood of profitability, the ability to exit, the owner’s experience within their specific market and the firm’s commitment level. 

While most equity crowdfunding companies only require an entry fee to post a company offering on their sites. Elite’s threshold is much higher. For a company to be included in Elite Crowdfund's portfolio of opportunities, Elite Crowdfund’s prestigious 12-member board must agree by a super majority – 75 percent – and, at least one board member must invest in each project. This comprehensive process offers investors confidence in their decisions and issuers an assurance that Elite Crowdfund is committed to helping them build a strong foundation.

Though investing in small businesses was previously reserved for the wealthy or highly connected, this new, secure, streamlined platform allows a broader scope of investors to reap the benefits of investing in early stage companies. With investments opportunities as low as $5,000, Elite Crowdfund’s investment process allows investors to view highly vetted opportunities and make decisions that fit their personal portfolio. All documentation including the companies’ current financial status, due diligence and reports are made readily available to investors offering complete transparency. 

According to Derek Cunningham, Managing Principal and CEO of parent company U.S. Strategic Capital, “Atlanta is a hotbed for startups and venture capital. With business incubators such as the Advanced Technology Development Center and the Atlanta Tech Village, the ecosystem is robust and expanding rapidly. We want to be an integral part of that development as Atlanta continues to evolve as a vibrant startup and venture capital city.”

Elite Crowdfund’s portfolio of business opportunities is only available to accredited investors, defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an individual with annual net income of more than $200K individually or $300K jointly, or whose net worth is more than $1 million annually, excluding the value of a primary residence. 

The companies available to investors on the Elite Crowdfund website are Swarmify, SkyMedicus, Snapscore and Prong.