Crowd: equity or participatory loan?

Crowd funding is becoming increasingly important for startups and businesses. For many, this raises the question of which type of investment makes more sense for their own company: equity or a participating loan?

While equity gives investors a stake in the company and corresponding voting rights, in the case of participatory loans, investors receive a fixed interest rate and a share of the profits, but no voting rights.

Both financing options have their advantages and disadvantages, and it is important to weigh up which is best suited to the company in question. In this series of articles, we’ll take a closer look at both versions and examine them for strengths as well as weaknesses.

Interestingly, the approach is different for small companies, which crowdfund with a smaller amount of funding, than for startups and large companies, which work with high volumes. Therefore, both scenarios are discussed in the article series “Crowd: Equity or Participatory Loan”?” highlights.

Crowdinvesting: equity or participatory loan?

Crowdinvesting is a type of funding where large groups of people invest money to fund a project or idea. But do they invest with the aim of getting their money back, or do they also invest with a view to returns. However, there are different types of crowdinvesting, which differ in terms of the nature of the investment. One is equity and the other is participatory loan.

What is the difference between equity and participatory loan in the context of crowdinvesting? Equity is when the investor acquires a stake in the company, for example, in the form of shares or stock. As a result, the investor becomes a shareholder and, depending on the company’s success, receives a distribution in the form of dividends. A participating loan, on the other hand, provides the investor with a fixed loan. In return, the investor receives a fixed interest rate, which is usually higher than the annual return on equity capital.

The choice between equity and participatory loan depends on many factors, such as the investor’s goal, the company’s potential, and the risk appetite. When funding a risky idea or startup is the goal of crowdinvesting, the participating loan is considered the better option. Due to the higher risk, the interest rate will also be higher. If, on the other hand, the focus is on established companies and stable returns, equity is the best choice for obtaining a stake in the company and sharing in the dividend proceeds.

Crowdinvesting offers an excellent opportunity for companies to realize projects and ideas that might not be fundable through traditional means. With the choice between equity and participating loan, the investor has the option to become a part of the company or simply receive a fixed interest rate on his investment.

Advantages and disadvantages of equity

The decision between equity and participating loan depends on various factors. One of the biggest advantages of equity is that it is not a burden on the company, so there is no need to build up debt. In addition, equity enables long-term financing and strengthens investor confidence in the company. However, when equity is granted, shares in the company must also be surrendered, giving up some decision-making power.

On the other hand, a participatory loan has the advantage that no shares in the company have to be surrendered. In addition, the company can freely dispose of the money and does not have to adhere to certain conditions. However, the disadvantage here is that the company builds up debt and can therefore be in a difficult position if repayment cannot be made.

• Advantages of equity:
• – No debt
• – Long-term financing
• – Investor confidence
• Disadvantages of equity:
• – Relinquishment of decision-making power

• Advantages of Participatory Loan:
• – No relinquishment of decision-making power
• – free disposal of the money
• Disadvantages of Participatory Loan:
• – build up of debt
• – Risk in the absence of repayment

Overall, the decision between equity and participating loan depends on various factors and must be decided individually for each company. Both financing options have their advantages and disadvantages, which have to be weighed up.

Advantages and disadvantages of participatory loans

Participatory loans are a form of debt financing in which the company does not take out a classic loan but offers investors or creditors a stake in the company. The return for the investor is based on the success of the company. This form of financing has some advantages, but also disadvantages.

One advantage of participatory loans is that they are a viable alternative to traditional bank loans. Especially young, innovative companies often have difficulties finding traditional financing options. Participatory loans allow them to become less dependent on banks and to move their business forward more quickly. In addition, they do not have to service repayment installments. In addition, the investors benefit from the increase in value of the company.

One disadvantage of participatory loans is that they often come with higher costs than traditional bank loans. After all, investors want to earn an attractive return on their investment and demand appropriate compensation for doing so. In addition, the risk of participating loans is often higher, as the investors do not receive a fixed income. Also, the fact that the company cedes a stake to the investors can lead to a loss of control over the company.

Overall, participatory loans can be a viable financing option, especially for companies that have difficulty raising traditional loans. However, they should also consider the higher cost and risk before choosing this form of financing.

Crowd funding for projects: equity or participatory loan?

Financing projects is a challenge in many cases. An interesting option is the crowdfunding platform. Crowd fund projects here. In this regard, there are several ways in which the financing can be done. One of them is equity or participatory loan.

The choice between the two options depends on the individual needs of the promoter. A participatory loan usually offers faster decisions and a higher degree of security, as it allows the investor to share in the profits of the project. Equity, on the other hand, represents a higher risk position, but it can lead to a much higher return if the project is completed successfully.

Although there are many factors to consider when deciding between equity or participating loan, there are some basic factors that can help in the decision making process. This includes, first and foremost, the type of project that needs funding, but also the amount of funding needed, the timing of the need for money and the duration of the project.

• Type of project: a project that can generate a better return is better suited for equity financing, while a project with a lower potential return is probably better suited for a participatory loan.
• Amount of funding needed: companies that want to borrow larger sums often prefer equity financing. Smaller amounts, on the other hand, can be achieved through participatory loans, as there are fewer bureaucratic hurdles here.
• Timing of the need for money: When a company needs money quickly, a participating loan is often a quicker and easier solution than equity financing, where investors may need a longer time to get involved.
• Duration of the project: a participatory loan may be more suitable when a project is less long-term, as there are fewer obligations on the part of the company to make repayments. However, for long-term projects, equity can often be a better choice as it represents long-term commitment.