Entrepreneurs, VCs and Angel investors are lining up to deliver keynote speeches at the UK’s First National Crowdfunding Conference.
Deep Impact will feature well-known entrepreneur Julie Meyer, CEO of Ariadne Capital,
Matthew Fell, Director of the CBI, Barry Sheerman MP and Luke Johnson Chair of Risk Capital Partners and ex Chair of both Channel4 and the RSA.
Crowdfunding experts from Crowdcube, Bloom VC, and BankToTheFuture will also share their experiences and thoughts on the future of crowdfunding in the UK.
The University of Hertfordshire formed a partnership with Barry James’ Social Foundation to bring the conference to one of the UK top business schools for enterprise education.
"Crowdfunding has huge potential to help transform the UK at a time when entrepreneurs and businesses need all the help they can get to regenerate the economy,” said Julie Newlan, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise) of University of Hertfordshire. “The University is delighted to help lead the way."
Amanda Boyle, co-founder of Bloom VC (Venture Catalyst), said: "Rewards-based crowdfunding has proved a powerful new way of creating new businesses and supporting entrepreneurs with more than just money. It can help more entrepreneurs at an earlier stage than has been possible before and we're excited to be part of a movement with such great potential to build a new economy, bringing new hope and supporting entrepreneurs tasked with making this happen.”
The event will certainly provoke lively debate, with some high profile members from the existing Angel community sharing a more conservative opinion on the impact crowdfunding will have.
Bill Morrow, founder of Angel’s Den, one of the UK’s leading Angel networks, still believes in the vital role experienced angels will bring to a startup.
“The crowd is changing the way that some entrepreneurs find funding and we are looking forward to a robust discussion on how angel funding dovetails into this scene,” said Morrow.
“The wisdom and wealth of the crowd is proven, but we remain convinced that the counsel, mentorship, contacts and follow-on funding from an experienced angel will continue to serve some entrepreneurs better.”
Crowdfunding in the UK hit the mainstream this month. The FSA green-lighted crowdinvesting, approving world leading equity platform Crowdcube, and making it possible for ordinary individuals to invest in startups with as little as £10.
“The effect of this, and the projected growth of the whole crowdfunding industry, which provides a clear alternative to banks and traditional investment source, is incalculable for the economy.” commented Barry James conference founder and chair. “What is does mean is more real jobs, more real businesses and more money in the economy – without the government or tax-payers needing to fork out.”
Deep Impact is the first major opportunity for thought-leaders and key players to come together and match insights to make sense of this new 'disruptive' wave of social media and the Internet, and its increasing impact on money and finance.
More details of the conference and booking facilities are now available at CrowdfundingDeepImpact.org