CROWDFUNDING platform, Bloom VC, comes out of beta today with a successfully funded project under its belt and 30 more in the pipeline.
Bloom VC (Venture Catalyst) launched in November and the platform has been tested by users – both project owners and donors – since then.
Now that the fine-tuning is complete and the first milestone reached, founder and CEO, Amanda Boyle, has made the decision to close the beta test and start work on enhancing the features of the platform.
“We’ve had great input from our users and it’s helped us to create a platform that’s intuitive to navigate and well-integrated with the social networks essential to help spread the word and ask for support for projects,” said Boyle.
“The next phase of development is all about developing a deeper support mechanism for users, an even more effective analytics dashboard and enhancing the experience for our donor community.”
Designed and built by the award-winning team at Everyone, the platform is hosted by Bloom’s technology partner, vps.net, whose CEO Phil Male is on the Bloom board.
Male commented: “We are extremely proud to be the technology partner for Bloom. Working closely with innovative and exciting new ventures is what we do – day in, day out – what better way is there for us to explore new ways of developing fresh ideas than to support Bloom?”
Student, Kev Pickering, became the first in Scotland to successfully crowdfund a project, his new movie, Wake Up Call.
He reached his target in just four days, but went on to raise 46 per cent more than his target by the end of the 30-day crowdfunding campaign.
Pickering said: “Bloom has been brilliant for me. Raising money for a student film is not easy and asking friends and family for money is never easy either, so being able to point friends and family to a page where they can easily read about the project and see what their money will be used for was really helpful.
“The staff at Bloom is extremely helpful and very accessible. Bloom has really been beneficial to me and my project “Wake Up Call” and I will definitely crowdfund with them for the next film.”
Bloom has more than 30 exciting new projects in the pipeline, ranging from technology to games, apps, cosmetics, music and another two movies.
ENDS
http:www.bloomvc.com
Twitter – @bloomvc
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/BloomVC
Notes to editors:
Bloom is the first crowdfunding platform of its kind in the UK, enabling anyone with an idea, anywhere in the world, to reach out and receive donations from across the globe, using their social networks.
The company was launched to provide an alternative route to finance for startups, community projects and social enterprises.
In November, Bloom VC (Venture Catalyst) secured a financial partnership with NESTA, the UK’s foremost expert on innovation.
Robert Crawford, director of Innovation, Investment and Growth at NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) said they are delighted to support Bloom and look forward to learning from the company’s crowdfunding model.
He added: “There are a number of great business ideas out there that aren’t able to attract traditional types of investment and support to become a reality and thrive.
“By using the web to jumpstart new ideas and find new sources of funding, we believe we can do more to ensure more of these concepts see the light of day and are given the opportunity to drive the economy forward in future.
“We very much look forward to working with Bloom VC and to learn from the model they are developing.”
Technology partner – http://www.vps.net
Web developer – http://www.weareeveryone.com Winner of New Business of the Year at the Scottish Business Awards, February 2012
Further information from Michelle Rodger – michelle@bloomvc.com or call 0780 3730207
MEDIA RELEASE posted by Bloom VC. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Michelle Rodger
Phone: 0780 3730207
Email: michelle@bloomvc.com
Website: http://www.bloomvc.com
