Making an equity crowdfunding investment: a recipe
Maybe you’re interested in seeing what’s out there. Maybe your mate or a friend of a friend or that friend from high school reached out and said you should.
We don’t want it to be hard.
So here’s how to make your first investment on PledgeMe.
Ingredients list
Ingredient #1:
Australian Citizenship or permanent residency
OR
a certificate from a qualified accountant confirming you’re a “sophisticated investor” within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001
Ingredients #2 and #3:
Two of the following:
- A current Australian driver’s licence
- A current Australian passport
- A current Medicare Card
- A birth certificate
- A citizenship certificate (full document) issued within the last six months containing your name and residential address
- A bank or credit card statement (full document) issued within the last six months containing your name and residential address
- A utilities receipt (full document) issued within the last six months containing your name and residential address
- A government-issued tax document (full document) issued within the last six months containing your name and residential address
This is required under Australia’s anti-money laundering legislation.
Ingredient #4:
Your payment details
Method
Step 1: Sign up and create your investor profile
Head to https://pledgeme.com.au/users/sign_in
Click “join now” or “Log in with Facebook”.
Click the circle in the top right.
Choose “Register to invest” from the drop down menu.
Read, understand and accept the Australian Warning Statement and the Financial Services Guide when they come up.
Step 2: Find the campaign you want to invest in
Click “Explore” at the top.
If nothing comes up for you, keep an eye out for our fortnightly newsletter for announcements of new campaigns.
Step 3: Pledge!
Choose the investor perks (determined by your pledge amount).
Click the pledge box.
Confirm the amount and provide details.
Click pledge.
Step 4: Wait a bit and cool off
Not much happens until after the offer closes.
While you’re waiting why not share the campaign through your networks. Invite others to participate or just let others know why you did.
Under Australian law, you have cooling off rights of 5 working days, after which you are legally bound to complete your pledge. If you would like to cancel your pledge, you need to email cancel@pledgeme.com.au within 5 working days of making it.
Step 5: Payment
Once the cooling-off period is over or the offer closes (whichever comes first), we’ll send you payment instructions. Make sure you follow them.
Voilà!
You’ll be contacted by the campaign creator once they have confirmed you as a shareholder and updated their shareholder register. This means you’ll have access to attend the AGM and receive annual reports from the company.
Example finished products
When Urban Xtreme, a Brisbane-based indoor snow sports and adventure park, ran their campaign, 115 people made their way through the above process (and some of them were worse at computers than you are).
Cody made his investment saying:
Such a great opportunity & feeling funding a hometown company supporting a growing culture helping inspire kids and adults to be active.👍🏼
Great use of ingredients there, Cody.
When Food Connect Shed raised, 566 pledgers found their 2 pieces of ID (we reckon you can too).
Jasmin produced her investment with a flair:
Thank you Emma-Kate and Rob and congratulations — WOW you made it!!! I’m so excited to be a careholder!!!! ❤
Well done on a beautiful wholesome pun, Jasmin.
Ready?
Simple, isn’t it!
Your turn to make one.
Check out our current campaigns here.
And if it seems easy enough to you, maybe tell a friend.
