Looking Back: Celebrating MNvest Campaigns in the First 7 Months!
Throw confetti and break out the noisemakers! It may be too early to celebrate a new year, but MNvest has worked hard to support the seven businesses taking advantage of the new investment crowdfunding law (aptly titled MNvest) in the first seven months of the year. That achievement might qualify for a quick Moonwalk across a dancefloor, right?
The first six months have been wonderful. MNvest wants to make sure you know that we couldn’t have made these great strides without supporters like you! Spreading the word about the MNvest law through social media platforms and word-of-mouth has allowed MNvest to continue its work in advocating for a reimagined investing landscape where regular, everyday people can have an equity stake in their neighborhood business.
To show appreciation and unveil plans for the rest of the year, MNvest held a six-month review event on June 19 at the MSR Design offices located in Minneapolis’ well-heeled Riverfront district. In addition to the spectacular views of the historic riverfront, attendees toasted MNvest’s success by drinking craft beer from Culhane Brewing Co., one of the newest offerings on the Silicon Prairie portal.
As guests sipped on a variety of crafted ales, MNvest.org co-director Zach Robins provided a brief recap of the MNvest law and its origins; along with some of the advocacy group’s achievements, current position and the strategy for the remainder of the year.
Robins invited Kathleen Culhane, co-owner of Culhane Brewing Co., to discuss her business, her expertise, and her aim to use MNvest to help raise $200,000 necessary to open her craft taproom in Lowertown St. Paul. The meeting ended with words from the event sponsor, Sam Edelstein of MSR Design.
MNvest is off to a great start, but there is more work to be done. For example, Farm + Vine, a farm-to-table eatery in Minnetonka, began their fundraising campaign on July 3. In addition, MNvest is pursuing sponsorships to help expand its reach throughout the metro area and Greater Minnesota.
If the next five months are an indication of the first seven, then MNvest may want to add the Sprinkler to its dance moves repertoire.
Event Photo Gallery
MNvest is a Minnesota law permitting investment crowdfunding, a new way to fund Minnesota's growing businesses. Similar to reward-based crowdfunding sites (like Kickstarter), MNvest enables Minnesota businesses to legally advertise investment opportunities to all Minnesota residents.