Concerns about investor protections remain
In a piece for the New York Times’ “You’re The
Boss” small business blog, Robb Mandelbaum writes that the SEC’s review period
for its proposed rules on equity crowdfunding ended more than three months ago,
but there are still no final rules. The rules have already been delayed; they
were originally supposed to be in place at the start of 2013. The rules would
allow the sale of equity in start-ups and small businesses to average
Americans.
Part of the
delay may be caused by concern that the SEC’s proposed rules open investors to
too much risk, given the high failure rate of new businesses. For example,
Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley, an author of the original legislation that put the
SEC on the issue, said of crowdfunding, “For small businesses to utilize it,
the system must be both simple and easy. Yet investors must also have
confidence in what crowdfunding provides, or else they will not provide the
capital into the market.” NFIB’s main concern is not that the SEC’s proposed rules are released quickly, but that they are right for small business.
What It Means for Small Business:
The delay in the SEC rules reflects the
inherent tension in this new form of potential financing. While some see it as
a welcome harnessing of new digital capabilities to create a new stream of
financing, others view it as a riskier platform for investment than traditional
methods. Given the short history of crowdfunding, there isn’t enough evidence
yet to definitively settle that debate.
Further Reading:
In a blog for the New York
Times, Robb
Mandelbaum covers the issue.
Read more from NFIB on How to Kickstart Your Business with Kickstarter.
This news article is intended to keep small business owners apprised
of current events that may affect them. It does not necessarily reflect
NFIB’s policy position on such issues.
