Birchal’s entrance to the AFR Fast Starters list reveals investor crowds haven’t wavered in seeking and backing some of Australia’s most innovative companies, despite the current climate.
The number of deals and investors on Birchal’s licensed crowd investment platform has continued to trend upwards, with activity up 12.5% compared to this time last year and 57.7% more investors in the same period.
Birchal also increased its already-dominant market share to 81% of all equity crowdfunding deals in Australia in the past quarter (Q1 FY23).
Making the AFR Fast Starters list showed Australians were well and truly on their way to recognising crowdfunding as a viable asset class, according to Birchal CEO Matt Vitale.
“Being on the AFR Fast Starters list is really a reflection of how Australians are embracing the chance to get behind innovators and companies whose future they believe in,” he said.
“While this style of investment has only been open to Australians for a few years, investors see what has happened overseas and they want the same chance to benefit from having a stake in these fast moving companies.
“At Birchal, we’re immeasurably pleased to offer that opportunity, which has landed us on this prestigious list of Australian Fast Starters and innovators.”
Looking forward, Birchal’s focus would remain on growing and maturing crowd investment through secondary trade for unlisted companies and investor relations solutions, among other initiatives.
“Our forward pipeline for 2023 remains strong, and we don’t see that slowing down as more businesses realise the benefits of building a community of engaged supporters through crowd investment.
“We want to continue to make it simpler for early stage companies to connect with like-minded investors, while ensuring we’re developing products that meet the emerging demands of our sector.”
