Education Center

Lift & Launch Seed Ventures is an innovative investment platform designed to help businesses explore opportunities to raise capital from eligible investors. Our goal is to make fundraising easier to understand and help business owners learn about the steps involved. We work with Andes Capital Group, our broker-dealer partner, for applicable regulated securities activities. We also work with Lift & Launch, our separate marketing partner, for fundraising campaign marketing services. Raising capital does not mean that Lift & Launch Seed Ventures will invest its own money in your company, manage your business, or guarantee that investors will fund your campaign. To learn more about marketing and fundraising campaign support, visit https://liftandlaunch.co.

Depending on the offering, investors may include everyday community members, accredited investors, and other eligible individuals or organizations. An accredited investor meets certain financial or professional requirements under securities laws. A non-accredited investor does not meet those requirements. Different fundraising rules determine who may invest and how much they may invest. We do not promise a certain number of investors or guarantee that any investor will participate in your offering.

Many types of businesses may be able to raise capital, including startups and established companies. However, not every business qualifies for every type of offering. Your eligibility may depend on where your business is organized, what it sells, its financial condition, its leadership, and the fundraising rules you plan to use. A strong business plan, clear funding goal, reliable financial records, and realistic growth strategy can help you prepare. Your business and proposed offering must meet applicable requirements before moving forward.

Possibly, but it depends on where your company is organized and which fundraising rules apply. Regulation Crowdfunding generally is not available to companies organized outside the United States. Regulation A may be available to eligible companies organized in and principally operating in the United States or Canada. Regulation D has different requirements and may involve additional legal questions for businesses outside the United States. If your business is based outside the country, seek guidance about which options may be available before starting an offering.

Equity crowdfunding allows eligible businesses to raise money from investors in exchange for shares or other securities. Instead of depending only on banks or a small group of private investors, a business may be able to invite a broader group of eligible people to participate. Investors may receive ownership interests or other rights, depending on the type of investment offered. Fundraising through securities also brings legal, financial, and reporting responsibilities.

Reg CF is a set of federal rules that allows eligible businesses to raise up to $5 million in a 12-month period. Both accredited and non-accredited investors may participate, subject to applicable rules. Reg CF offerings must take place through one registered online intermediary, such as a registered broker-dealer or funding portal. Businesses must provide required information about their operations, financial condition, leadership, offering terms, and risks. They must also follow rules about advertising, investor communications, and reporting.

Regulation A allows eligible businesses to raise money from the public under a different set of federal securities rules. It has two levels:
● Tier 1: Up to $20 million in a 12-month period.
● Tier 2: Up to $75 million in a 12-month period. Reg A may allow both accredited and non-accredited investors to participate, depending on the offering and applicable limits.
The business must prepare and file an offering statement with the SEC and receive qualification before selling securities under Reg A. Tier 2 generally requires audited financial statements and ongoing reports. Reg A can involve more preparation, professional support, and expense than smaller fundraising options.

Regulation D includes rules that allow eligible businesses to raise capital through private securities offerings. Two common options are:
Rule 506(b): A business may raise money without a federal dollar cap under this rule. General advertising is not allowed. Accredited investors may participate, and a limited number of non-accredited investors who meet special requirements may also participate.
Rule 506(c): A business may publicly advertise its offering, but every purchaser must be an accredited investor, and the business must take reasonable steps to verify that status.
Reg D offerings also have disclosure, filing, and other legal requirements.

Lift & Launch Seed Ventures provides businesses with a place to learn about fundraising and begin exploring opportunities to raise capital. The process generally includes:
1. Reviewing your business goals and how much capital you need.
2. Preparing information about your company, finances, leadership, and growth plans.
3. Identifying the appropriate fundraising regulation, such as Reg CF, Reg A, or Reg D.
4. Completing the required reviews, legal documents, and financial disclosures.
5. Preparing your campaign materials and marketing strategy.
6. Launching the offering through the appropriate approved process.
7. Communicating with investors and completing the offering if all required conditions are met.
We work with Andes Capital Group, our broker-dealer partner, for applicable regulated securities activities. Our separate marketing partner, Lift & Launch, provides marketing strategy and campaign support services. The exact application, document submission, approval, and investment steps depend on the type of offering and the services available. For information about fundraising campaign marketing support, visit https://liftandlaunch.co.

You may need to provide:
● Your business name, location, and legal structure.
● A description of your products or services.
● Information about your owners and leadership team.
● Financial statements and other business records.
● Your fundraising goal and intended use of the money.
● Information about your customers, market, and competition.
● Your business risks and plans for growth.
● The proposed investment terms. The exact requirements depend on the type of offering.
Providing complete and accurate information can help avoid delays.

A business plan and pitch presentation can help explain your company to potential investors. Your materials should describe the problem your business solves, the people it serves, how it makes money, and what you plan to accomplish. A pitch presentation may include financial information, market research, leadership experience, and your funding needs. These materials can help communicate your story, but they do not replace required legal disclosures. You may also need professional assistance preparing official offering documents.

You should protect confidential information, such as trade secrets, passwords, private customer records, and information that does not need to be shared publicly. However, raising money from investors requires honest and complete disclosures about important facts. You cannot leave out information that investors need to understand the business or its risks. Some fundraising documents must be filed publicly. A nondisclosure agreement may be useful in certain private business discussions, but it cannot replace required securities disclosures. Before sharing sensitive information, ask your legal adviser what must be disclosed and what may remain confidential.

Most securities offerings require financial information. The level of preparation depends on the type of offering and how much you want to raise. For Reg CF, certain offering amounts require financial statements reviewed or audited by an independent accountant. Reg A Tier 2 generally requires audited financial statements. Reg D financial disclosure requirements vary based on the offering and the investors involved. You may need an accountant or other qualified professional to prepare or review your records.

There is no guaranteed number. The number of people who discover your offering depends on factors such as investor eligibility, where the offering may be shared, campaign visibility, and the interest it generates. A well-prepared campaign may help investors understand your business, but visibility does not guarantee investments. Any public promotion must follow the rules for the type of offering.

The timeline depends on your business’s readiness and the type of offering. Preparing financial statements, legal documents, investment terms, and marketing materials can take time. Reg CF requires an offering filing and registered intermediary process. Reg A requires SEC qualification before securities may be sold. Reg D follows a different process based on the exemption being used. A launch date should not be promised until the required steps are completed.

Some changes may be allowed, but they must follow the rules for the offering. For example, important changes to a Reg CF offering may require an amendment to the official Form C filing. In certain cases, investors must be given a chance to confirm whether they still want to invest. Reg A and Reg D have their own disclosure and amendment requirements. Do not change important investment terms or published financial claims without the appropriate review.

Possibly. Each business and proposed offering must be reviewed under the applicable securities rules. Separate companies may have separate legal and financial responsibilities. Related offerings may also need to be considered together under securities rules. You should not assume that creating multiple campaigns allows you to avoid fundraising limits. Ask qualified professionals to review your plans before launching more than one offering.

Marketing can help people learn about your business and its fundraising goals. Depending on the offering, your campaign may use educational content, social media, email, video, and other approved communications. However, securities advertising has special rules. For example, Reg CF limits what information about an offering’s terms may appear in advertisements outside the registered intermediary’s platform. Reg D Rule 506(b) generally does not allow public advertising of the securities offering. All marketing materials should be reviewed for compliance before publication. For fundraising marketing services, visit our marketing partner, Lift & Launch, at https://liftandlaunch.co.

A pitch video is not always legally required, but it can help explain your business. A useful video may introduce your team, show your product or service, explain the problem you solve, and describe your business goals. Keep your message clear, accurate, and easy to understand. Do not promise investors guaranteed profits or make claims you cannot support. Any video promoting a securities offering must follow the applicable advertising rules.

Investor communication depends on the type of offering. For Reg CF, investors can ask questions and discuss the offering through communication channels provided by the registered intermediary. Reg A and Reg D have different communication rules. In particular, Reg D Rule 506(b) generally prohibits public solicitation. You should use approved communication methods and avoid making promises about investment returns. A fundraising campaign does not automatically give you access to investors’ private contact information.

Exploring educational information on Lift & Launch Seed Ventures is free. However, raising capital may involve separate fees for professional services and the securities offering process. Possible costs include:
● Broker-dealer and transaction fees.
● Legal services and offering agreements.
● Accounting, financial reviews, or audits.
● Technology, payment-processing, and escrow services.
● Marketing strategy, campaign preparation, and promotional services.
● Other technical or professional assistance. Fees may be charged by different service providers, depending on the services requested.
Some fees may be paid before launch. Others may depend on whether the offering closes successfully. Before agreeing to any paid service, ask for a written explanation of its cost, payment terms, and whether any fees depend on a successful fundraising campaign. For marketing and fundraising campaign support, visit https://liftandlaunch.co.

Start with a clear plan for how the funds will be used. Consider your business expenses, equipment, staffing, inventory, operations, and growth plans. Your goal should be based on realistic financial needs, not simply the largest amount the law allows. You must also consider the securities you will offer, how the investment affects ownership, and whether the fundraising plan makes sense for your business.

It depends on the offering. For Reg CF, the business must reach its required funding target by the deadline for the offering to close successfully. If the target is not met, investment commitments are canceled and investors’ funds are returned. Reg A and Reg D offerings may have different minimum amounts and closing conditions. Your official offering documents should explain what happens if the target is not reached.

When an offering meets all required closing conditions, the authorized parties complete the closing process according to the offering documents. The business may then receive the available proceeds after applicable fees and expenses. You must use the funds consistently with the disclosures and terms of your offering. Your business may also have continuing responsibilities to investors, including financial reporting, business updates, and other legal obligations. Successfully raising money does not end your responsibilities as an issuer.

Often, yes. Your responsibilities depend on the type of offering.
Reg CF generally requires annual reports until the business qualifies to stop reporting.
Reg A Tier 2 generally has ongoing reporting requirements.
Reg D offerings have different requirements, which may also depend on your investment agreements.
Keeping investors informed can help build trust and maintain strong relationships.

You must follow the terms of your offering and applicable laws. Depending on the investment, this may include maintaining financial records, honoring investor rights, providing required reports, and handling ownership records. You should also be prepared to explain major business changes when disclosure is required. Raising capital means accepting important responsibilities to the people who invest in your company.

Investor eligibility and verification requirements depend on the offering. For example, Reg D Rule 506(c) requires the issuer to take reasonable steps to verify that every purchaser is accredited. Reg CF uses a registered intermediary that has specific responsibilities in the investment process. The appropriate broker-dealer, legal professionals, and other authorized service providers can help explain the requirements that apply. You should never assume that an investor is eligible simply because the person expresses interest.

Lift & Launch Seed Ventures works with separate partners that have different responsibilities.
Lift & Launch Seed Ventures — Platform
Provides the website experience and educational information about investing and raising capital. The available fundraising features depend on the platform’s approved processes.
Andes Capital Group — Broker-Dealer Partner
Handles applicable regulated brokerage and securities activities for offerings within its agreed scope.
Lift & Launch — Marketing Partner
Provides marketing-related services, such as brand messaging, campaign strategy, and promotional support, within its agreed scope. Lift & Launch does not serve as the broker-dealer or independently process securities investments. For fundraising marketing services, visit https://liftandlaunch.co.

If you have general questions about Lift & Launch Seed Ventures, visit our Contact Us page. If you are a business owner looking for fundraising campaign marketing or related support services, visit our marketing partner at https://liftandlaunch.co. Questions about securities offering requirements, brokerage transactions, or investor eligibility should be handled through the appropriate authorized professionals or service providers. We encourage you to understand the process, costs, and responsibilities before beginning a fundraising campaign.