The DAO was somewhat of an experiment in corporate governance and structure built on the open-source Ethereum platform, and the ripples of its fall are still felt in the Ethereum world. DAO stands for Decentralized Autonomous Organization, and it was a crowdfunded business or venture capital fund that raised $150 million in a month-- in fact, it was the single-largest crowdfunding campaign ever. It was so big that about 14% of the total Ether in existence at that point was invested in the project, and it was listed on all the major cryptocurrency exchanges. Continue reading...
ICO is an acronym for Initial Coin Offering, and it is the primary way that new companies can use blockchains to raise capital. Many entrepreneurs have gotten their start in the last decade through crowdfunding sites such as Kickstarter, where anyone can contribute funds to help an idea get off the ground. Obviously, such funding methods were bound to reach new heights when peer-to-peer blockchains came onto the scene. Blockchains allow transfers of value anywhere in the world without regulatory... Continue reading...
In recent years, crowdfunding has emerged as a transformative force in the world of finance and entrepreneurship. This innovative approach to raising capital has enabled individuals and businesses to turn their ideas into reality, reach a global audience, and receive financial support from a diverse group of backers. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of crowdfunding, exploring what it is, how it works, and some of the most popular crowdfunding websites. Continue reading...
Initial Coin Offerings are ways for new cryptocurrency or other technology companies to raise capital and put their coins into circulation. For companies too small to attract the attention of a big investment bank, this may be the best option for “going public.” In initial coin offerings, as opposed to using venture capital and initial public offerings of stock in regulated markets, the new company doesn’t actually give up any of their equity (i.e., control) in the company to third parties. Continue reading...
Who would have thought that a 19-year-old from Toronto could write a whitepaper nearly as influential as Satoshi Nakamoto’s (Bitcoin founder)? A few years after Bitcoin’s launch, a young programmer and student of blockchain technology named Vitalik Buterin wrote a whitepaper imagining the Ethereum platform. While Bitcoin’s blockchain was primarily designed to handle transaction information, Ethereum is designed to offer a blockchain protocol for anything that can be programmed, which includes wh... Continue reading...
Blockchain, if applied on a broad basis, could lower costs substantially for both financial institutions and consumers, while also preventing fraud. This could upend the financial markets as we know it, in a good way. With blockchain, virtually any type of asset can be stored digitally and securely, meaning that money, equities, bonds, contracts, deeds, etc.. can be moved from peer to peer with little to zero fear of fraud, and no vulnerable (or costly) intermediary like a bank or a government. Continue reading...
When it comes to investing your hard-earned money, the options can seem overwhelming. Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and real estate are all on the table, but which one suits your goals, risk tolerance, and level of involvement? If you're looking for an investment that offers the potential for both steady income and appreciation, real estate might be the answer. In this article, we'll explore five simple ways to invest in real estate and how they can fit into your investment strategy. Continue reading...
In the dynamic world of entrepreneurship and business, the term "startup" has become synonymous with innovation, ambition, and a touch of uncertainty. But what exactly is a startup, and what are the critical elements involved in getting one off the ground? In this article, we'll explore the intricacies of startups, from their definition to the challenges and opportunities they present. Continue reading...
When looking for investment options, there are many choices for where to put your money. Stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds, mutual funds, and real estate are all good investments no matter what level of experience you have; forex or cryptocurrency may be too volatile for beginning investors. Which option you choose will depend on how involved you want to be in your investment, how much money you have to start investing, and how much risk you are comfortable taking on. Continue reading...
Debt financing occurs when a company borrows money or secures financing through loans, with the obligation to repay the money (typically with interest). Generally, a corporation will engage in debt financing by selling bonds in the marketplace or to private investors, or with promissory notes or commercial paper. Generally the terms of the bond or the loan will have the company commit as collateral assets of the business, such as real estate, cash on hand, or fixed assets. Continue reading...
Angel investors are typically high-net-worth individuals with a keen eye for investment opportunities beyond traditional markets. They seek out promising startups with innovative ideas and invest their own money to help these ventures take flight. However, it's important to note that the ventures they support are inherently risky. In fact, studies suggest that only about 11% of startups backed by angel investors end up succeeding. Despite this, angels continue to play a vital role in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, with their investments averaging around $42,000 per venture. Continue reading...