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Creators: Cohan, Taylor
Creators: Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business

Evaluating New Trends in Raising Capital

Description

In the modern digital age, new methods of raising capital for entrepreneurs are being explored and developed at a rapid rate. This is in part due to new legislation aimed at democratizing the funding process for startup-sized businesses, and also due to the growing mistrust in the big banks following the recent financial crisis of 2008. Today, many entrepreneurs are turning to the Internet and crowdsourcing in order to raise the funds they need to get their business ideas off the ground. This trend is more commonly known as crowdfunding. Crowdfunding is not as narrow of an industry as some may think. It goes much deeper than just the commonly known platforms such as Kickstarter or Indiegogo. There are four different crowdfunding methods that exist today, as well as hundreds of websites known as crowdfunding platforms created in order to facilitate these methods as a third party intermediary. My thesis aims to research, break down, study, and compare the various methods of crowdfunding. In addition, I explore the modern uses of the more traditional methods of raising capital for entrepreneurs such as angel investors, venture capital, bank/Small Business Association loans, and bootstrapping. This research includes both primary and secondary research. For my primary research, I interviewed three subject matter experts on the capital markets, and conducted two case studies regarding crowdfunding campaigns. In my secondary research, I used credible published studies, blogs and articles with expert testimonials, and other trustworthy resources such as encyclopedias and professional reports. In the end, I compare and contrast the various methods of raising capital explored throughout the paper, and provide my recommendations regarding each method for entrepreneurs interested in raising funds for their next venture. We live in an exciting time, and there are a lot of interesting new developments emerging as the capital markets continue to integrate with the modern digital age. I hope this thesis will help entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone else who may have interest in the modern capital markets or fundraising develop a better understanding of new trends in raising capital today.

ContributorsCohan, Taylor (Author) / Montoya, Detra (Thesis director) / Schlacter, John (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)

Created2015-12

Social Media: A Case Study in Socially Connected Entrepreneurs

Description

The purpose of this study is to examine how social connectivity in a collaborative business environment translates to online social communication, namely to social media. Not a lot of academic research focuses in-depth on how startups and entrepreneurs within the technology industry perceive social media, or how their work environment can influence the ways they see the role of these platforms. Gangplank was chosen as the subject of this case study based on the emphasis they as a coworking space put on connecting to others in order to accomplish mutual goals. Initial research showed that entrepreneurs using social media did so with a collaborative focus in mind. However, it was unclear if, by developing their businesses in a space devoted to fostering social relationships, entrepreneurs would be more likely to engage and interact with other users on social media platforms. Furthermore, it was unclear if their attitudes toward online and offline communication would be affected by spending time in a dedicated social workspace. In order to find how some entrepreneurs that started or worked closely in the beginning stages of a collaborative, connection-driven workspace used social media and see whether or not they used the platform to establish and build relationships and connect with others, three entrepreneurs from such a workspace were personally interviewed. In these interviews, each entrepreneur gave their personal feelings and opinions on the space itself, their view on the role of social media, and whether or not they connected their space to their social media use. The study also examined each entrepreneur's social media profile on one prominent social network to see how each was practically using the platform, and to analyze how each entrepreneur's use of the platform compared to his perceptions of social media as a whole. The study found that entrepreneurs who became established in a collaboration-oriented space definitely interacted frequently on social media. Each entrepreneur interviewed expressed the importance of working closely with others and forming valuable connections through both online and offline means. These entrepreneurs were established to have followed all the best practices of social media use outlined through research, and to have had a large number of personally engaging interactions and conversations on observed social media platforms.

ContributorsThompson, Lauren Elizabeth (Author) / Wu, Xu (Thesis director) / Dodge, Nancie (Committee member) / Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)

Created2015-12

FIJI's Shave to Save: A Toolkit for Successful Fundraising by Charitable Organizations

Description

"FIJI's Shave to Save" took place in Fall 2021 when 47 members of Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) at Arizona State University got their heads shaved as a public demonstration of the fraternity's commitment to the mission of the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and their Center for Rare Childhood Disorders (the Center). Through tremendous community support, the majority of which came from members' families, FIJI alumni, and participating member sororities of Arizona State University's Panhellenic Council, we collectively raised $63,640 for the Center. These funds are directed towards the Center's groundbreaking research and efforts to improve the lives of children with rare disorders through genomic sequencing. Aside from the lives impacted by the fundraiser, this news was highlighted in publications from multiple media outlets and exhibited the positive impact that Greek Life is capable of. Months prior to this initiative, Taylor Dintzner (2021 Chapter President) and Cameron Chew (2021 Philanthropy Chairman) were lost and did not know how to approach the execution of a successful fundraiser. In December 2021, they met with Rob Caudill, Executive Director at the International Headquarters of Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI), to discuss international publicity for the initiative. The verdict was that other FIJI Chapters may benefit from a "toolkit" that details how FIJI at Arizona State University was able to raise $63,500 for TGen. "FIJI's Shave to Save: A Toolkit for Successful Fundraising by Charitable Organizations" is intended to be a resource that encourages FIJI Chapters internationally to execute their own "FIJI's Shave to Save" initiative, giving them all of the tools necessary to follow a similar format and raise funds for TGen's Center for Rare Childhood Disorders. Media Highlighting FIJI at Arizona State University's Community Impact: https://linktr.ee/fijigraduatechapter

ContributorsDintzner, Taylor (Author) / Ballinger, Gary (Thesis director) / Vogel, Joanne (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor)

Created2022-05