Regulated Impact Crowdfunding: How Diverse Founders and Bold Ideas Raised $1.1M Last Week
A weekly roundup of diverse founders and impact-driven ventures that raised over $1.1M through Regulated Impact Crowdfunding.
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Last week’s Regulated Impact Crowdfunding campaigns showcased how diverse founders and bold ideas can capture community capital. Six companies across sectors as different as craft beer, medical imaging, biotechnology, food, virtual reality, and hospitality raised a combined $1,135,166 through platforms like StartEngine, SMBX, Netcapital, and Honeycomb Credit.
These campaigns were highlighted using a proprietary screening method that emphasizes:
Impact offerings with measurable social, cultural, or health outcomes.
Deals featuring women, minority, or LGBTQ founders.
Clear disclosures on security types, use of proceeds, and valuation.
The result is a weekly lens into where impact capital is flowing — and what investors and entrepreneurs can learn from the deals closing on regulated platforms.
Campaign Highlights
FiftyFifty Brewing Company — StartEngine (Equity: Common)
Raised: $612,785
Valuation: $15M
Sector: Craft brewing & hospitality
Award-winning California brewery with more than 50 global accolades. Expansion plans include Social Club locations in Reno and Mammoth. Funds will support inventory, employment, leasehold improvements, and brand growth.
nView medical — StartEngine (Equity: Common)
Raised: $252,735
Valuation: $30M
Sector: Medical imaging
nView offers AI-powered 3D imaging for precision surgeries, already deployed in 500+ operations. Revenues of $1M to date and strong hospital adoption signal traction. Proceeds earmarked for R&D, working capital, and balance sheet strengthening.
Bolita — SMBX (Debt)
Raised: $120,850
Sector: Food / Consumer goods
Berkeley-based masa maker reviving authentic Mexican culinary traditions with local, organic ingredients. Funds will help purchase equipment and inventory. Founded by Emmanuel Galvan, Bolita represents both cultural preservation and innovative small-scale food production.
Acesis Biomed — Netcapital (Equity: Common)
Raised: $86,104
Valuation: $37.5M
Sector: Biotechnology
Developing non-steroidal treatments to restore natural testosterone production. With patents, preclinical data, and strong scientific leadership, Acesis is positioning for future clinical trials. Proceeds will fund R&D, collaborations, and intellectual property development.
EKTO VR — Honeycomb Credit (SAFE)
Raised: $50,802
Valuation: $15M
Sector: Virtual reality hardware
Building wearable mobility systems that allow natural walking in VR without cybersickness. EKTO’s technology has been showcased at international tech and cultural events. Funds will drive hardware/software development and product launch.
The Williamson County Bagel Company — SMBX (Debt)
Raised: $11,890
Sector: Food & hospitality
Cedar Park, Texas-based bagel shop with fresh, handcrafted offerings and a community-first model. Funds will cover payroll, equipment, and working capital. Founded by Alexandra and Scott Lawson in 2023.
Security Types in Play
Across these six campaigns, investors encountered three distinct security structures:
Equity – Common Stock (FiftyFifty, nView, Acesis): Direct ownership, long-term upside potential, but illiquid and high risk.
Debt (Bolita, Williamson County Bagel Co.): Fixed repayment with interest; lower upside but more predictable cash flow.
SAFE (EKTO VR): Converts into equity later under specific terms; attractive for founders but requires careful investor scrutiny.
Understanding security type is essential. Equity offers growth participation, debt emphasizes stability and repayment, while SAFEs require belief in future financing events.
Recommendations for Investors
Diversify across security types and sectors. Impact crowdfunding is inherently high-risk. Spreading bets reduces exposure.
Scrutinize regulatory paths and traction. nView and Acesis illustrate how regulatory hurdles can impact outcomes. Investors should weigh these timelines carefully.
Look for measurable impact. Bolita (cultural preservation), nView (safer surgeries), and EKTO VR (new VR mobility) each show how impact is tied to business models.
Understand liquidity constraints. These investments are long-term, illiquid, and best suited to patient capital.
Recommendations for Founders
Choose the right security. Equity can build loyal shareholders, debt preserves ownership but requires cash flow, and SAFEs offer speed but can complicate later rounds.
Show traction. Clinical trials, revenue milestones, or retail expansion signal readiness and reduce investor uncertainty.
Highlight founder diversity. Representation is increasingly valued in impact investing, but it should be tied to a compelling business case.
Communicate clearly. Regular updates on milestones, financials, and impact outcomes help retain and grow a supportive investor base.
Conclusion
The six campaigns funded last week demonstrate the breadth of Regulated Impact Crowdfunding. From breweries and bagel shops to biotech and VR hardware, retail investors are backing both local community businesses and frontier technologies.
The combined $1.1M raised shows that regulated platforms are giving underrepresented founders and innovative companies access to capital that might otherwise be out of reach. For investors, understanding security types and aligning investments with personal impact goals is key. For startups, clarity, traction, and thoughtful security design will determine success.
Regulated Impact Crowdfunding is proving to be more than a fundraising mechanism — it is a bridge between diverse entrepreneurs and communities of investors eager to participate in shaping the future.
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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 September 16, 2025, at 1:30 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, September 17, 2025, at 12:00 PM Eastern. Devin Thorpe, CEO and Founder of The Super Crowd, Inc., will lead a session on "What's the Difference Between Gambling and Investing? Diversification." When it comes to money, too many people confuse speculation with true investing. In this session, Devin will explore what separates gambling from responsible investment practices—and why diversification is one of the most important tools for reducing risk and improving outcomes. Drawing on real-world examples and practical strategies, he’ll help you understand how to evaluate opportunities, spread risk wisely, and think long-term about your portfolio. Whether you’re new to investing, considering your first community round, or looking to refine your approach as a seasoned investor, this SuperCrowdHour will give you actionable insights to strengthen your decision-making. Don’t miss this chance to sharpen your perspective and invest with greater confidence.
Superpowers for Good Live Pitch, September 29, 2025. Hosted by Devin Thorpe on e360tv, this special event gives purpose-driven founders the chance to pitch their active Regulation Crowdfunding campaigns to a nationwide audience of investors and supporters. Selected founders will gain exposure to investors, national visibility across social and streaming platforms, and exclusive prizes from judges and sponsors—all at no cost to apply or pitch. Applications close September 8, 2025. Founders: Apply today to take the stage where capital meets impact!
Community Event Calendar
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Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.
Impact Accelerator Summit is a live in-person event taking place in Austin, Texas, from October 23–25, 2025. This exclusive gathering brings together 100 heart-centered, conscious entrepreneurs generating $1M+ in revenue with 20–30 family offices and venture funds actively seeking to invest in world-changing businesses. Referred by Michael Dash, participants can expect an inspiring, high-impact experience focused on capital connection, growth, and global impact.
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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.