Valuation Transparency, Trust Signals in Crowdfunding

Valuation Transparency Matters More Than You Think

A new Kingscrowd analysis of 880 equity crowdfunding campaigns reveals a growing transparency gap in how startups present their valuations to investors.

While nearly 89% of Reg CF campaigns clearly disclose their valuation, just 21% of Reg A+ offerings do the same. Instead, many founders rely on low share prices while leaving investors to calculate the true market cap themselves.

For founders, this is more than a compliance or formatting choice—it’s a trust signal.

Clear valuation disclosure makes it easier for investors to assess your raise, compare opportunities, and commit with confidence. Hidden or hard-to-find valuations can create friction, slow momentum, and raise questions about pricing.

The takeaway: transparency isn’t just good practice—it can directly impact how investors engage with your campaign.

FOUNDER REPORT (MAR-APR 2026)

Founders raised $63.5M in the last 30 days—driven by Reg A+ ($37.3M, 59% of volume). DealMaker dominated overall commitments ($32.4M), while Energy led sector capital at $18.5M. On the Reg CF side, Wefunder ($7.2M) and DealMaker ($6.1M) paced platform dollars.

See the full platform + sector breakdown →

RSVP: INVESTMENT CROWDFUNDING WEEK

Investment Crowdfunding Week 2026 is April 13–15 — and we're bringing the sessions founders actually need.

Beyond the live pitch competition, ICW 2026 features a lineup of expert-led sessions built for founders who are raising, planning their next round, or thinking about what comes after. Here's what's on the agenda:

Creators as an Asset Class Monday, April 13 · 2:00 PM ET · Fireside Chat Scott Kitun — GigaStar's CBO and the operator who scaled Songfinch from $500K to $100M — joins Brian Belley for a conversation on what creator-backed securities actually look like as an investment, and how platforms like GigaStar are turning YouTube revenue into investable assets.

Digital Marketing That Actually Converts Monday, April 13 · 4:00 PM ET · Knowledge Hour Running a successful raise isn't just about having a great company — it's about finding the right investors with messaging that converts. Jason Fishman, CEO of Digital Niche Agency, has run digital marketing for some of the highest-performing crowdfunding campaigns in the market. He unpacks the paid media playbook that works: channel selection, audience targeting, creative that drives investment clicks, and the mistakes founders make when they DIY their campaign marketing.

Diversifying the Capital Stack Tuesday, April 14 · 2:00 PM ET · Knowledge Hour Capital Department's Kelley Frank joins Brian Belley to break down what a deliberate raise strategy actually looks like — from structuring your campaign and building your investor pipeline to maintaining momentum mid-raise and closing strong.

Reg A to the Public Markets in Today's Climate Tuesday, April 14 · 4:00 PM ET · Fireside Chat Ajay Tandon and Gregg Jaclin of Exchange Listing join Chris Lustrino to cut through the noise on non-traditional listing paths — OTC markets, TSXV, Reg A+ upgrades — and what it actually takes to get there after closing a Reg CF or Reg D raise.

Compliance Chat: C-ARs to Reg A Qualification & Marketing Wednesday, April 15 · 4:00 PM ET · Knowledge Hour CrowdCheck's Andrew Stephenson, alongside Jason Fishman, Greg Burke, and the SEC's Jeb Byrne, breaks down the compliance landscape founders need to understand — what to disclose, how to market your raise compliantly, and what's changing at the SEC that everyone in this space should be watching.

REG CF ISSUERS: DON’T FORGET YOUR FORM C-AR FILING

If your company has raised capital under Regulation Crowdfunding, you may be required to file an Annual Report (Form C-AR) with the SEC each year.

Missing or late filings can create compliance issues that may complicate future fundraising, platform approvals, or investor diligence.

raisepapers provides flat-fee services to help Reg CF issuers prepare and file their required Form C-AR reports with the SEC.

✔ Flat-fee filing support
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FROM THE INSIDE STARTUP INVESTING PODCAST

Thinking about launching a Reg CF or Reg A+ raise in 2026? This episode is basically a fundraising marketing checklist: traffic targets, conversion rate benchmarks, channel strategy, creative testing, webinars/events, and why “doing more” is usually the answer. Jason Fishman (Digital Niche Agency) shares what top issuers do differently before and during launch.

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EDUCATION

How to Shut Down with Integrity (and Avoid a Mess Later)

Shutting down a company is brutal — but going silent can create lasting reputational damage and unnecessary compliance risk for founders who raised via Reg CF or Reg A. This Founder Playbook walks through what investors need to hear, what to share (and why), and includes a copy/paste wind-down email template you can use.

• Don’t disappear: silence invites public speculation and long-term brand damage.

• Cover the essentials: what happened, timeline/status, impact on the investment, tax notes, and a point of contact.

• Be direct on outcomes: if recovery is likely zero, say so plainly and respectfully.

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