From Pizza to Power: $991,034 Raised in Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Success Stories
How 7 Startups Raised Nearly $1M Through Regulated Investment Crowdfunding—and What It Means for the Future of Funding
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Every Sunday, we bring you a roundup of the most successful impact crowdfunding campaigns that have achieved their funding goals. Join us to celebrate the impact and innovation that these ventures have brought to life. To make sure you never miss an update, move our emails to your Primary inbox in Gmail or mark them as 'Not Spam' in other email services.
In the fast-growing world of regulated investment crowdfunding, seven small businesses and startups recently raised a combined $990,034 from everyday investors across the U.S. What connects a biotech disruptor, an AI fitness coach, and a Berkeley pizzeria? They all tapped into platforms like SMBX, Wefunder, Honeycomb Credit, and Netcapital to raise capital through debt, equity, and SAFE instruments under Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF).
This wave of successful campaigns is more than a funding milestone—it’s a snapshot of how creative, mission-driven entrepreneurs are democratizing access to capital while giving investors a front-row seat in America’s innovation economy.
Let’s dive into the deals, what made them work, and what they signal for the future of raising and investing in early-stage companies.
The Slice Heard Around the World: Rose Pizzeria on SMBX ($629K Raised)
Rose Pizzeria wasn’t just another restaurant. It was a sensation—with the New York Times naming it one of the best pizza places in America and international recognition for its slice. Through SMBX, a platform focused on crowdfunded debt, the company raised over $629,000, far exceeding its modest $10K target.
Security: Debt (business bonds)
Why It Worked: Massive press coverage, community love, and a clear use of proceeds: opening a second location.
Investor Insight: Fixed-income debt offerings can offer monthly interest payments—ideal for those looking for predictable returns.
Tech That Heals: OsNovum’s Biotech Breakthrough on Wefunder ($133K Raised)
OsNovum, a med-tech startup tackling osteoporosis with a patented bone-regeneration solution, raised $133,160 in Preferred Equity. With FDA clearance for initial use and more approvals on the horizon, the campaign attracted investors looking for a high-impact health play.
Security: Preferred Equity
Valuation: $19.53M
Key Use of Funds: Regulatory milestones, equipment, salaries
Investor Insight: Preferred shares offer seniority in exit scenarios—less risky than common equity, but still high-upside.
Fit for the Future: KEEPON’s AI Gym Buddy on Wefunder ($111K Raised)
What if ChatGPT got you in shape? KEEPON’s AI-powered fitness coach, paired with gamification and social nudges, struck a chord with future-forward investors. The team raised $111,620 through a SAFE note, making early supporters eligible for equity when the company raises a priced round.
Security: SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity)
Valuation: $4.44M
Backing: NVIDIA Inception Program
Investor Insight: SAFEs are startup-friendly, but can be risky if no priced round materializes—best for investors with a high risk tolerance.
Dessert First: Half Baked’s Sweet Success on Honeycomb Credit ($34K Raised)
Founded in early 2025, Half Baked brought indulgence to New Jersey’s dessert scene with over-the-top cupcakes, “dirty sodas,” and bold branding. Their debt campaign raised over $34,600, helping them gear up for a retail storefront.
Security: Debt
Why It Worked: Irresistible products and a roadmap toward scaling with a brick-and-mortar shop.
Investor Insight: Local consumer-facing brands often do well with community-based lending campaigns.
Popped to Perfection: Popstarz Popcorn on Honeycomb Credit ($30K Raised)
Over 200 gourmet popcorn flavors, celebrity-level customer lists, and an award-winning product line? Popstarz Popcorn made the most of its fanbase to raise $30,878 through debt crowdfunding.
Security: Debt
Standout Strategy: Offered a tangible, beloved product with mass appeal.
Investor Insight: When it comes to food and retail, nostalgia + quality + wide product variety is a winning combo.
Powering the Grid: Power Hero on Netcapital ($26K Raised)
Power Hero raised $26,489 to scale its clean energy tech for apartment-based EV charging—a notoriously underserved segment. Backed by patents and pilots in California, it’s targeting infrastructure gaps with scalable solutions.
Security: Common Equity
Valuation: $17.3M
Strategic Partnerships: Verizon and local governments
Investor Insight: Infrastructure and climate-tech often require patience, but can deliver outsized returns in the long run.
A Smarter Ladder: Over The Top Ladder on Netcapital ($25K Raised)
Invented by a contractor frustrated with traditional ladders, Over The Top Ladder offers better reach and safety thanks to its patented curved design. The company raised $25,007 in common equity to support R&D and marketing efforts.
Security: Common Equity
Valuation: $5.04M
Progress: Functional prototype, passed safety tests
Investor Insight: Strong utility patents + niche product-market fit = strong foundation for equity investors.
Key Takeaways for Startups
Storytelling is capital: Whether it’s the best slice in America or patented biotech, your “why” is the heart of your pitch.
Security choice matters: SAFE, equity, and debt each signal something different. Debt often appeals to conservative investors. Equity/SAFE attracts visionaries.
Community drives conversion: Brands with loyal fans and local roots—like Rose Pizzeria and Half Baked—thrive on crowdfunding platforms.
Tips for Investors
Diversify: Spread your risk across different sectors and security types.
Do your diligence: Look beyond the hype—review valuation caps, financials, and founder history.
Think long-term: These aren’t quick flips. Reg CF investments are typically illiquid for years.
The Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Frontier
In a time when traditional venture capital is tightening, regulated investment crowdfunding is becoming a lifeline—and a launchpad—for startups with bold ideas and underrepresented founders. For investors, it’s a chance to align capital with conviction and be part of the next big thing from day one.
The companies featured here collectively raised nearly $1 million not by winning over Wall Street, but by building trust with Main Street.
That’s not just progress. That’s power to the people.
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Upcoming SuperCrowd Event Calendar
If a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.
Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on June 17, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.
SuperCrowdHour, June 18, 2025, at 12:00 PM Eastern. Jason Fishman, Co-Founder and CEO of Digital Niche Agency (DNA), will lead a session on "How to Spin $1 of Advertising into $10!" He’ll reveal proven strategies and marketing insights drawn from years of experience helping successful crowdfunding campaigns. Whether you're a founder planning a raise or a supporter of innovative startups, you’ll gain actionable tips to boost visibility, drive engagement, and hit your funding goals. Don’t miss it!
Join us on June 25, 2025, at 8:00 PM Eastern for the Superpowers for Good Live Pitch—streaming on e360tv, where purpose-driven founders take the virtual stage to present their active Regulation Crowdfunding campaigns to a national audience of investors and changemakers. Selected startups are chosen for their commitment to community, alignment with NC3’s Community Capital Principles, and their drive to create real-world impact. Thanks to sponsors DNA and DealMaker, this event is free to watch and amplifies the voices of underrepresented and mission-aligned entrepreneurs. Don’t miss this inspiring evening where capital meets purpose—tune in to discover and support the next wave of impact-driven innovation.
SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition but with big upgrades for 2025! We’ll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we’ll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!
Community Event Calendar
Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events
Devin Thorpe is featured in a free virtual masterclass series hosted by Irina Portnova titled Break Free, Elevate Your Money Mindset & Call In Overflow, focused on transforming your relationship with money through personal stories and practical insights. June 8-21, 2025.
Join Dorian Dickinson, founder & CEO of FundingHope, for Startup.com’s monthly crowdfunding workshop, where he'll dive into strategies for successfully raising capital through investment crowdfunding. June 24 at noon Eastern.
Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.
Call for community action:
Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefiting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.
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We utilized AI to efficiently gather data and analyze key success factors, enabling us to deliver an overview of these successful crowdfunding campaigns.