CRUCIAL CrowdFunding

CRUCIAL CrowdFunding is an Erasmus+ supported project, designed to better inform all the different stakeholders who can potentially benefit from this innovative means of funding business ventures. The project will gather information on the current market conditions regarding the almost exponential growth of CrowdFunding in certain countries and amalgamate this into a pan-European vision of CrowdFunding. This will include all the key areas on both the demand and supply side of this funding mechanism.

The key groups are those seeking financial support, primarily SMEs, but including start-ups and social enterprises and on the supply side entrepreneurs looking to support business investment. In addition those support agencies such as Innovation Centres, Cluster managers, and organizations, both public and private that look to support business and economic development, locally, Regionally and Nationally will be able learn more about how to use and promote CrowdFunding.

The main output will be a totally free access learning platform, with on-line knowledge awareness and learning materials, supported locally by direct partner intervention activities to better inform those considering how to benefit from this funding mechanism.

Over 4,000 beneficiaries of all types are expected to visit and gain knowledge using the materials developed, and during the lifetime of the project the partners will track usage to monitor the impact that is being achieved, from a basic improvement in knowledge awareness up to the successful gain or release of funding to a business or construction of a support programme promoting CrowdFunding.

Our Project Partners

The project brings together a group of countries both at the forefront of CrowdFunding, (UK & Estonia) and those lagging behind, (Spain, Ireland & Greece) and suffering acutely from the withdrawal/failure within their own countries’ supply of conventional business financial support. In addition CRUCIAL includes partners from the Czech Republic and Malta who bring specific expertise to assist the development of the materials and their successful dissemination into the marketplace.

 YOUTH IN SCIENCE AND BUSINESS FOUNDATION (YSBF) – TALLINN, ESTONIA

YSBF is a non-profit organization aimed at supporting innovative ideas and creativity, disseminating information on advancements of science and technology and conducting research activities related to IT and innovation.

INSTITUTE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT (IED) – LARISSA, GREECE

The IED was founded in 2005 in Larissa, Greece with a vision to create an environment that promotes entrepreneurship, research and the entrepreneurial spirit and mindset of businesses, creating long-lasting relationships with society and the academic community.

RLN  (UK) Ltd., UNITED KINGDOM

RLN has a long history of working with and for the business community, supporting the development of new business opportunities, including recently language and culture activities both in the UK and with EU partners. RLN (UK) Ltd’s core remit is to develop and implement language, cultural and business support activities.

MALTA COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY (MCA) – VALETTA, MALTA

Malta Communications Authority (MCA) has been established in 2001 with the role to regulate the electronic communications, e-Commerce and postal sectors so as to ensure efficient and fair competition, customer choice and value for money.

GLAFKA s.r.o. – PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

GLAFKA is an educational institution focusing on knowledge and innovation transfer in the fields of i) lifelong learning and further education; ii) labour market and entrepreneurship; iii) teaching and training methods and technologies.

DRAMBLYS (Social Creativity Lab) – ALBACETE, SPAIN

DRAMBLYS is an international non-profit socio-cultural organization which aspires to serve as an interactive platform and meeting point to exchange, design, inspire and promote social innovation projects and creative alternatives.