European Crowdfunding Network boosts sector uptake with training scheme
The European Crowdfunding Network (ECN) has hailed efforts to promote the asset class across the continent after a pilot of a training regime in Italy saw use of the sector increase.
The ECN launched a training curriculum in Italy earlier this year to introduce non-experts to the opportunities provided by crowdfunding. It then guided them through the process of acquiring the needed skills to launch their own campaigns, which could be combined with other sources of funding.
A report on the scheme revealed 40 per cent of businesses that attended the training course have already introduced crowdfunding operations and the remainder intend to do so.
Additionally, 57.5 per cent said they would now invest on crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending platforms themselves.
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“The topics explored have been identified as key elements in shaping a sound and cooperative cultural and professional context, while providing the right forum for crowdfunding players and other stakeholders to develop new actions and share best practices,” the ECN said.
A similar scheme will now be launched in Spain and there are plans to roll it out across the continent.
“Following ECN’s European vision, as well as the Italian ecosystem’s potential to become a reference point for other national ecosystems, we welcome the publication of this report and hope that it will inspire other organisations in Italy to join forces with us” Ludovico Monforte, chairman of the ECN Italian strategy group, said.
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