Crowdcube, the investment crowdfunding platform, is set for its best year ever following a stellar first quarter, which saw 36 businesses raise £17.5 million and £24 million invested through the site.  Among the major deals secured in the January to March period were JustPark, which raised a record-breaking £3.7 million and Pocket and Taylor Street Baristas, the latest businesses to raise finance through a Crowdcube Mini-Bond.

Crowdcube’s success is helping to drive the overall success of the UK equity crowdfunding market – according to estimates used by the UK’s financial regulator, FCA, equity crowdfunding was worth around £84 million in 2014, compared to £28 million in 2013.

“We’ve had a very busy and very successful first quarter, with over 15,000 individual investments made from our investors,” according to Luke Lang, co-founder of Crowdcube.  “As well as a record amount invested through the site, we’ve attracted more than 31,000 new investors to our investor community, which now stands at over 158,000 people, and raised £17.5 million for British businesses.  We're extremely optimistic that 2015 will be our best year yet, as we see crowdfunding become an increasingly popular options for investors and businesses alike.”

Other key figures (Q1 2015):

·      Total no. of jobs forecast to be created within 3 years (from Crowdcube investments) = 1,014

·      Stage of businesses funded = 8 start-ups, 17 early stage and 11 growth businesses

·      Largest funded pitch = JustPark (£3.7m)

·      Fastest funded pitch = The Pressary (1 hour 40 mins)

·      Businesses raising over £1m = 5

To top off the quarter, Crowdcube co-founder Darren Westlake was also named by Debrett’s as one of the UK’s most influential people.

Click here for infographic detailing Crowdcube’s Q1 2015 successes and figures.