Crowdrating.co.uk , a new equity ratings agency , has been launched to help empower crowdfunding fans to make smarter investments.
The agency will provide free, easy to understand ratings about issuers so that ‘generation crowd’ can make more informed decisions about where they invest their money.
The brainchild of former CEO of Interactive Investor, Alex Heath, and founder of AngelNews Modwenna Rees-Mogg, this new tool taps into the massive growth of interest in crowdfunding in the UK, which grew last year by a staggering 420%. Growth is expected to continue this year with industry estimates of more than £200m in funds raised.
Crowdrating.co.uk says it is set apart from other services in this market by its objectivity, the value of the information it uses to calculate a rating, and the fact that it is offered freely – ratings are accessible to all.
Additionally it is regulated which ensures that the highest standards are applied to researching and preparing each rating. Investors can therefore rely on ratings that are both are credible and trustworthy. “As the only regulated crowdfunding ratings agency in the UK we are able to give advice to investors and to issuing companies, and can be very direct in what we say,” said Rees-Mogg.
“We know that the FCA is concerned generally about the research bank for equity in the UK, both for private and institutional investors. The problem is particularly acute in the crowdfunding world, not least because it is such a new market”, added Heath.
“Starting a ratings agency very early on in the life of the industry means that we can all grow the market in an aligned fashion. We estimate that there are as many as 250,000 early stage investors in the UK with more than 200,000 registered on equity crowdfunding platforms alone, but until now they have largely been reliant on comments on campaigns from a few independent bloggers, social media and the questions asked by other investors on the bulletin boards attached to each campaign.”
Rees-Mogg added: “As it stands, investors are reliant on the information provided by the issuing company typically via the crowdfunding platform. There is no independent validation, let alone regulated comment by experienced analysts available to investors. We know that the platforms themselves recognise that properly independent research is necessary for the market to mature successfully.
“Not only can this platform be utilised by the general public with an interest in crowdfunding, it will also benefit all types of private investors ranging from crowdfunding novices to angel investors, and the VCs that are increasingly active in the crowdfunding arena. We are already being approached by angels and VC’s who would like to obtain a rating as part of their due diligence on fundraising companies outside the Crowd.
“We hope that for investors who use Crowdrating.co.uk, we will become the ‘investor’s champion’ helping investors navigate their way around this noisy space to find sound investment opportunities.”
In order to calculate a rating, the company applies a four-step assessment process: rapid semi-automated data compilation, systematic scoring using our checklist driven ratings engine, a thorough review by an experienced, authorised director with additional input from relevant investors or sector specialists on our Advisory Panel, prior to a final review by our Compliance officer. The results are summarised and presented in a one-page factsheet that is friendly and easy to understand. With a rapid turnaround, the process is highly efficient and effective, enabling investors to make informed decisions.