Indiana Opens Doors For Internet Crowdfunding

Secretary of State Connie Lawson Tuesday announced rules are in place that open the doors for Internet crowdfunding in Indiana.  They were developed after the legislature passed a bill authorizing the practice earlier this year.

Lawson says the online crowdfunding system is meant to help startup companies and bolster existing ones.  The rules allow Indiana private companies to raise up to $2 million in capital.  Individuals can invest up to $5,000.  Lawson says companies must file each investment offer with her office and the Internet sites that facilitate the deals must also register with the Secretary of State.

“And we will spend every day trying to root out fraud but we won’t stand in the way of Hoosiers deciding to invest in homegrown companies,” she said.

Lawson says, unlike popular crowdfunding site Kickstarter, the Indiana system will allow individuals to buy stakes in a company, rather than just donate money.  Still, she says investors need to do their homework.

“And just like any other security, there are risks when you invest and I’m calling on our private sector leaders to help us police this new market for the bad actors,” she said.

Lawson says standard disclosure rules apply to companies using crowdfunding, meaning they cannot withhold important information about their business from potential investors or promise something they can’t deliver.

Click here to view the full Indiana crowdfunding rules.