What is Bloom Crowdfunding?

Bloom Crowdfunding allows anyone with a great idea to reach out for financial support without having to give up equity or control of their business or community project.

If you have an idea for a business, a social enterprise or a community project and are looking for funding then Bloom can give you the opportunity to share and pitch your project online. The Bloom community can then choose to donate as much or as little as they like to the projects that interest them.

Funding can also be raised for developing existing businesses and projects.

How do you get involved?

If you have an idea you would like to nurture...

You simply describe your idea – be it for a start-up, a business, a social enterprise or a community project - explain how much money you need, what you’ll do with the money, and what you’re offering as a reward for those who promise to help you, then just reach out to the crowd and ask!

Some key things to think about:

• You need to decide how much money you need, and set a deadline of 30, 45 or 60 days in which to reach your target.
• You need to tell the story of your idea, what it is and why it’s so important; text and images are essential, but a fabulous short video works incredibly well.
• You need to create a series of must-have rewards in return for money promised by your supporters.
• You must reach out and engage with your networks both online and offline; make sure you have a Twitter account, a Facebook page, great connections on LinkedIn, - social networking is what makes crowdfunding so successful – develop an email campaign, but don’t forget your friends, family and others who might not use social networks.
• Get out from behind your computer to meet people face to face, share your passion and enthusiasm for your idea with them and ask for their support.
• When you’re happy with what you’ve created, submit your project to Bloom for screening.
• Bloom will contact you within 48 hours to let you know whether your project has been accepted for the site (they will check that all your links work, the video plays and your project doesn’t breach their taste and decency guidelines).

You could be pitching for funding to record a single, host an exhibition, launch a website or develop an outdoor community space. Rewards for these pitches could be a single, a ticket, free membership and an invitation to the opening.

Visit Bloom Projects to see the pitches already live.

If you would like to nurture the ideas of others...

Not everyone wants to start a business or launch a community project. You don’t have to. But you can help.

You can help your son, granddaughter, neighbour, colleague or friend of a friend achieve their goals simply by donating to their project. You can donate to a perfect stranger if you believe in their idea.

You can donate a small sum or a large sum. You can donate more than once, to as many projects as you like. And you can follow their progress on Bloom, seeing the difference your contribution has made.

Visit Bloom to find out more!