Seedrs
Equity crowdfunding platform
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Seedrs Limited is an online equity crowdfunding company, headquartered in East London's Tech City, founded in 2009[1] and launched by Jeff Lynn and Carlos Silva in 2012.[2][3] Since 2022 it has been a subsidiary of American crowdfunding company Republic.
 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Crowdfunding |
| Founded | 16 March 2009 |
| Founders | Jeff Lynn, Carlos Silva |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
Area served | UK, Europe |
Key people | Jeff Kelisky (CEO) |
| Parent | Republic |
| Website | Official website  |
In 2020, Seedrs announced that 250 startups had raised funding through its crowdfunding platform during 2019.[4][5] By 2022, Seedrs reported that over £1.9 billion had been invested through the company.[6]
History
The company was founded in 2009 by Jeff Lynn and Carlos Silva as part of an MBA project at the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford.[7]
In March 2012, Seedrs raised $1 million in seed funding from private investors including venture capital firm Draper Esprit.[8]
In May 2012, Seedrs became the first equity crowdfunding platform to receive regulatory approval from the Financial Conduct Authority.[9]
In July 2012, Seedrs launched its platform to the public.[8][10]
In November 2013, Seedrs raised £750,000 in funding through its own platform.[11]
In June 2015, professional tennis player Andy Murray joined Seedrs in an advisory role, having previously used the platform as an investor.[12][13][14]
In June 2017, Seedrs launched a secondary market, becoming the first equity crowdfunding platform to allow investors to buy and sell shares in unlisted companies.[15][16][17]
In August 2017, Jeff Lynn stepped down as CEO to take up a position as Executive Chairman. Former COO Jeff Kelisky was promoted to CEO.[18][19]
In August 2017, Seedrs raised £4 million investment for challenger bank Revolut.[20][21]
In October 2017, Seedrs announced it had raised £10 million in funding.[22][23]
In December 2018, Seedrs launched a venture capital fund aimed at passive startup investors.[24]
In August 2019, Seedrs raised £4.5 million in funding.[25]
In 2020, Seedrs and Crowdcube agreed to a merger.[26] This was abandoned on 25 March 2021 after the Competition and Markets Authority raised concerns about the deal.[27]
In December 2021, Seedrs announced that it had agreed to be acquired by Republic, a US-based equity crowdfunding platform, for $100 million.[28] The acquisition was criticised by some of Seedrs' small investors over preferential treatment given to large shareholders.[29]