CROWDFUNDING IN INDIA: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY

Crowdfunding is a method of acquiring project funding, by soliciting contributions from a large group of people typically via internet or through social networking websites like Facebook, Tumblr, LinkedIn, Twitter or crowdfunding websites (Ketto, Kikstarter, GoFundMe, Crowdriseetc). The website platform acts as a mediator between the Project Campaigner or Entrepreneur and crowd or investors in sourcing funds from the crowd at large. According to Statista Market forecast ?the Transaction Value in the Crowdfunding section totals up to US$6m in 2017. This Transaction Value is forecasted to show Compounded annual growth rate of 30.6 % by 2017-2022, which totals up to US$22m in 2022.On an average funding raised per venture in ?Crowdfunding? segment sums up to US$171.50 in 2017.When compared globally, it is seen that highest transaction value reached is US$ 4,920m in China in the year of 2017. In India crowdfunding is in nascent stage and evolving. It started in 2009 after 2008 financial crisis. It is gaining momentum and more people are taking interest in supporting start-ups, film industry, and community development activities by way of crowdfunding. The present study is an attempt to determine the awareness level and identify the factors leading to investments in crowdfunding. The study identified six factors which play a prominent role in the growth of crowdfunding.