One of the most encouraging and exciting things for all of us at Holstee is to connect with other small businesses and entreprenuers who are following their dream. We have seen firsthand how amazing it is to start small and grow, and we are so energized by the start-ups and small companies that are on the same path. 

The reality, of course, is that money is needed in order for these businesses to grow--and in turn create the jobs and goods that stimulate the economy. In an economic climate where financing for small business is becoming harder and harder to come by, crowdfunding has become a great alternative for start-ups to aquire the capital needed to thrive. 

Similar to a microfinance system like Kiva.org where many individuals each give a small loan towards a larger goal, crowdfunding allows entrepreneurs and growing companies to raise money through small investments by a large number of people. Unfortunately, there is a great amount of red tape and longstanding regulations that have made it super difficult for this to happen--leaving many entrepreners unable to bring their ideas to life.

Right now, a bill is currently in the works that seeks to remove the red tape, strengthen crowdfunding, and get behind growing business and increasing jobs. To learn more about the details surrounding the bill, check out this post by our friends at ProFounder and this article discussing the progress. You can also discover more about crowdfunding by taking a look at the petition here (your voice is needed!). 

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