Crowdfund Better

What Crowdfund Better does

Crowdfund Better, founded in 2012 by Kathleen Minogue, is a U.S.-based crowdfunding education and training organization that sells self-paced online courses, bundled curricula, professional development certification, and advisory services organized around its proprietary four-step 'Crowdfund Better Process' (Education, Strategy, Training, Support). Its core technology is a Thinkific-based learning management system delivering video lessons, downloadable worksheets, and live virtual cohorts, with key product surfaces including introductory courses such as 'The Crowdfunding Opportunity' ($33) and 'Investment Crowdfunding for Everyone' ($99), a Spanish-language equivalent, topic-specific skills courses bundled into rewards, marketing, and investment tracks, a 45-minute Crowdfunding Roadmap assessment, and the flagship Crowdfund Better Certified Advisor program (2-day live virtual training plus 12-month mentorship and an advisor directory). Revenue derives from one-time course/license fees, professional services (consulting hours and live workshops), subscription/multi-year contracts for the advisor certification, and affiliate commissions on third-party data reports sold through TheCrowdDataCenter and Crowdfund Capital Advisors; the firm is bootstrapped, founder-controlled, and runs a distributed remote team of 1–10 employees.

The company sells directly through its Learning Center and indirectly through a B2B2C channel of certified advisors embedded in Small Business Development Centers (NY, FL, ID, IL, WY and others), Women's Business Centers, and independent consultants, plus organizational sales of webinars and cohort training to economic development agencies and communities. Customer segments span entrepreneurs and SMBs (including Black- and woman-owned businesses in Los Angeles-area F&B, retail, and climate tech), 501(c)(3) nonprofits and social enterprises, business advisors and economic development professionals, municipalities and communities, and (as a secondary segment) creatives and filmmakers. Notable outcomes include customer campaigns such as Prosperity Market raising over $111,000 on a first-time mobile-trailer campaign; the firm's content is delivered in English and Spanish with established speaking presence at SBA, IEDC, AWBC, ASBDC, Director's Guild of America, and Milken Institute events, and earned media in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Crowdfund Insider, and PwC's Women Unbound Report.

Name

Crowdfund Better

Legal name

Crowdfund Better

Website

https://crowdfundbetter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Crowdfund Better is a U.S. crowdfunding education and training company that delivers self-paced online courses, professional certification, and advisory services to entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofits, business advisors, and communities through its proprietary four-step Process methodology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Crowdfunding Education & Training Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Course Bundle Subscriptions & Learning Membership Marketplaces (EDAFAIAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Creator Fundraising & Crowdfunding Platforms (Recurring/Project-Based) (MPACAFAJ), Financial Education & Coaching (Digital Programs, Tools) (FSAGADAH)

Keywords

• Crowdfunding education
• Online courses
• Professional certification
• Consulting services
• Community funding training

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Online Courses: Self-paced video courses with lifetime access, downloadable worksheets, and optional consulting add-ons. Courses include The Crowdfunding Opportunity ($33), Investment Crowdfunding for Everyone ($99), and specialized bundles up to $199+.
2. Professional Development Training: Live virtual training programs including Crowdfund Better Certified Advisor Program (2-day intensive plus 12-month mentorship) and Fund With Community Professional Development Training. Contact pricing for group discounts.
3. Crowdfunding Roadmap: Assessment-based 45-minute strategy session with expert consultant, pre-call questionnaire, and follow-up resource email. Includes referrals to trusted resources and platforms.
4. A La Carte Consulting: Hourly consulting sessions available for campaign preparation, live campaign support, and post-campaign communications guidance. Discounted consulting available for enrolled course students.
5. Data Partnerships: Referral partnerships with TheCrowdDataCenter and Crowdfund Capital Advisors for crowdfunding data reports, earning affiliate commissions on referred sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Crowdfund Better sells self-paced online courses, live virtual training programs, professional certification, 1-on-1 consulting, and assessment services that teach entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofits, creatives, communities, and business advisors how to plan, launch, and successfully fundraise through crowdfunding. Its offerings are unified by the proprietary Crowdfund Better Process, a four-step framework (Education, Strategy, Training, Support) designed to increase crowdfunding campaign success while strengthening underlying business fundamentals. Products range from $33 introductory courses to multi-thousand-dollar certified advisor training cohorts.

Product overview

Crowdfund Better is a crowdfunding education and training company offering a portfolio of courses, training programs, and advisory services organized around its proprietary Crowdfund Better Process methodology. The core offerings include introductory courses (The Crowdfunding Opportunity, Investment Crowdfunding for Everyone, including a Spanish-language version), specialized training courses (Storytelling, Email Marketing, Creating Campaign Rewards, Finding the Gold in Your Network, Market With Community), bundled course packages (Rewards Crowdfunding Success 4-Course Bundle, Investment Crowdfunding 4-Course Bundle, Marketing Success 3-Course Bundle), professional development programs (Certified Advisor Program, Fund With Community Professional Development Training), assessment services (Crowdfunding Roadmap), webinars, and 1-on-1 consulting. The company also provides data partnerships through CrowdDataCenter and Crowdfund Capital Advisors. All offerings are delivered via self-paced online courses, live virtual training sessions, and personalized advisory services, with the four-step Process (Education, Strategy, Training, Support) serving as the unifying framework.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Crowdfunding Opportunity Self-paced online introductory course teaching crowdfunding fundamentals, including types of crowdfunding, how it works, and a readiness self-assessment, targeted at new entrepreneurs and small business owners.
• Investment Crowdfunding for Everyone Advanced self-paced online course explaining Regulation Crowdfunding rules, SEC-approved portals, and how to raise capital from everyday investors rather than only accredited investors, targeted at entrepreneurs and small businesses seeking to issue securities through crowdfunding.
• La Oportunidad de Crowdfunding Spanish-language version of The Crowdfunding Opportunity course, developed for Spanish-speaking small business owners and entrepreneurs in the United States.
• Market With Community: Get Your Systems in Shape Self-paced online course focused on building digital marketing system foundations with community at the heart of operations, for entrepreneurs preparing crowdfunding campaigns.
• Finding the Gold in Your Network Self-paced online course teaching entrepreneurs to identify and activate social capital connections to support a crowdfunding campaign.
• Storytelling for Crowdfunding Self-paced online course teaching entrepreneurs how to craft compelling crowdfunding campaign stories that inspire backers.
• Email Marketing Campaigns Self-paced online course on email marketing strategy and execution tailored to crowdfunding campaigns.
• Creating Campaign Rewards Self-paced online course guiding entrepreneurs to design profitable, compelling rewards tiers for rewards-based crowdfunding campaigns.
• Rewards Crowdfunding Success 4-Course Bundle Bundle of four self-paced courses (storytelling, network outreach, email marketing, campaign rewards) designed to prepare entrepreneurs for rewards-based crowdfunding campaigns.
• Investment Crowdfunding 4-Course Bundle Bundle of four self-paced courses focused on Regulation Crowdfunding for issuers seeking to raise investment capital.
• Marketing Success 3-Course Bundle Bundle of three marketing-focused self-paced courses designed for crowdfunding preparation and execution.
• Crowdfund Better Certified Advisor Program Professional certification program for business advisors and economic development professionals, including 2-day live virtual training, eight online courses, year-long mentorship, roadmap calls with clients, a digital certificate and badge, and a directory listing; tools valued at over $4,000.

Quantifiable outcome

• Prosperity Market raised over $111,000 for their mobile trailer on their first crowdfunding campaign
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• National Coalition for Community Capital (NC3)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to create the Community Capital Ecosystem Map identifying community capital tools used across the U.S. and globally. Also supports creation of community investment funds that give local residents opportunity to become investors in their neighborhoods using crowdfunding tools.
• TheCrowdDataCentersupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerData partner providing rewards crowdfunding data reports. Crowdfund Better offers affiliate links to their reports (Campaign Jumpstart, City Insights, Industry Insights) with up to 20% discount through promotional codes.
• Crowdfund Capital AdvisorssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerData partner for investment crowdfunding data. Crowdfund Better refers clients to their biweekly and monthly investment crowdfunding insight reports.
• New York SBDC NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPilot partner for Crowdfund Better Certified Advisor training program. Multiple advisors from NY SBDC locations have completed certification.
• Florida SBDC NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMultiple certified advisors from Florida SBDC locations including Tampa, Pinellas, FGCU, UNF, UCF, and FAMU. Training integrated into business advising services.
• Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner organization providing professional development for their network through Crowdfund Better training programs.
• Small Business Development Centers (National Network)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational network including America SBDC, NY SBDC, FL SBDC, Idaho SBDC, Illinois SBDC, Wyoming SBDC, CSU Bakersfield SBDC, and others. Multiple advisors certified across the network.
• Women's Business Centers (National Network)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork including Idaho Women's Business Center, Wyoming Women's Business Center, and others. Speaking engagements and training programs delivered at AWBC national conference.
• JLH Social Impact FundminorOthersSponsor of community funding initiatives. Listed as community sponsor and partner on Crowdfund Better Communities page.
• Third Derivative Global Climate Tech AcceleratorsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for climate tech and outdoor recreation community funding training. Collaboration on Igniting Community Capital course for outdoor recreation communities.
• National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity sponsor and partner providing crowdfunding education to entrepreneurs in their network.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Republic: Republic is a major investment crowdfunding platform that publishes its own investor and startup education through Republic University. It competes indirectly by offering free educational resources that overlap with Crowdfund Better's Investment Crowdfunding course content.
• Udemy: Udemy is a global online course marketplace where individual instructors sell crowdfunding courses competing with Crowdfund Better's self-paced offerings. Multiple Udemy courses on rewards, donation, and equity crowdfunding directly compete on price and accessibility.
• Skillshare: Skillshare is a subscription-based online learning platform with crowdfunding and entrepreneurship courses from independent creators. It competes on price (subscription model) for the same SMB and creative audience Crowdfund Better serves.
• Wefunder: Wefunder is one of the largest Regulation Crowdfunding platforms with its own investor education resources and Wefunder Academy. It targets everyday investors, directly overlapping with Crowdfund Better's Investment Crowdfunding for Everyone curriculum.
• Kickstarter: Kickstarter operates the largest rewards-based crowdfunding platform and provides extensive free creator education and storytelling resources. Its creator handbook competes with Crowdfund Better's rewards-based courses and storytelling curriculum.
• StartEngine: StartEngine is a major equity crowdfunding platform that publishes investor education content and operates StartEngine Crowdfunding. Its investor education materials compete with Crowdfund Better's Investment Crowdfunding courses.
• Indiegogo: Indiegogo is a leading rewards and equity crowdfunding platform offering creator education and campaign best-practice guides. Its educational content overlaps with Crowdfund Better's rewards crowdfunding curriculum for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Direct peers

• SCORE: SCORE is a national nonprofit network of volunteer business mentors providing free mentoring and education to small business owners. It serves the same entrepreneur/SMB audience as Crowdfund Better and is a key referral partner given its role as a leading U.S. small business advisory network.

Emerging players

• Maven: Maven operates cohort-based professional development courses and is an emerging player in the business education space. It targets the same professional advisor and SMB segment with higher-touch, higher-priced cohort experiences competing with Crowdfund Better's Certified Advisor Program.

Others

• National Coalition for Community Capital (NC3): NC3 is Crowdfund Better's strategic partner for the Community Capital Ecosystem Map and serves overlapping audiences in community development finance. It is an ecosystem partner rather than a competitor but represents a related organization in the community capital education space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/crowdfundbetter
• Facebookfacebook.com/crowdfundbetter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/crowdfund-better

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Crowdfund Better