To start your crowdfunding journey with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the portal you use to file your official documents is called EDGAR (Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval).
However, “crowdfunding” in this context usually involves two different “portals” depending on whether you are the business raising money or the platform hosting the raise.
1. The Filer Portal: EDGAR
If you are a company (issuer) looking to raise money under Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF), you must submit your offering statement—known as Form C—through the EDGAR system.
- Purpose: To officially register your intent to raise capital and provide mandatory disclosures to the SEC.
- Access: You first need to apply for access by filing a Form ID to get your CIK (Central Index Key) and login credentials.
- Link: SEC EDGAR Filer Management
2. The Funding Portal (The Intermediary)
By law, you cannot raise money via Reg CF directly on your own website. You must use an SEC-registered Intermediary. These are commonly called Funding Portals.
- Examples: Popular portals include Wefunder, StartEngine, and Republic.
- Role: They host your “pitch page,” handle the collection of investor funds, and ensure you are following the rules of the platform.
Summary Checklist for Issuers
If you’re just getting started, here is the typical order of operations:
| Step | Platform | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Choose Intermediary | Third-party Portal | Select a registered Funding Portal (e.g., Wefunder) to host your raise. |
| 2. Get SEC Access | EDGAR | File Form ID to get your CIK number and login info. |
| 3. File Form C | EDGAR | Upload your offering statement and financial disclosures before your campaign goes live. |
| 4. Go Live | Third-party Portal | Launch your campaign to the public on the intermediary’s website. |
Note: Many funding portals offer “white-glove” services where they help you prepare the Form C and can even handle the technical side of the EDGAR filing for you.Would you like me to find a list of the most popular registered funding portals currently active?