131: Equity Crowdfunding in 2020, with StartEngine CEO Howard Marks

Howard Marks is the CEO of StartEngine, an Equity Crowdfunding platform that allows ordinary people to invest and help entrepreneurs achieve their dreams. He is an experienced entrepreneur with a history of building successful businesses. Before launching StartEngine, he co-founded Activision (Call of Duty) and was the Chairman of Activision Studios from 1991 until 1997. As a former Board Member and Executive Vice-President of video-game giant Activision, he and a partner took control in 1991 and turned the ailing company into the $37 billion market cap video game industry. On this episode, Howard explains the impact of Equity Crowdfunding on the economy. He believes that this investment platform is the future of finance, especially for small businesses. He shares his journey in building StartEngine and the vision that led him to transition into crowdfunding - despite his success in his previous career. This is an insightful conversation that is perfect for both entrepreneurs and investors.   Where we are: Johnny FD – Mexico Sam Marks – North Carolina   Links: Startengine.com Masterworks.io - Join an exclusive community of blue-chip art investors   Time Stamps: 06:04 – Transitioning to Equity Crowdfunding 07:54 – Understanding why other entrepreneurs could not raise money 12:22 – How to unlock a larger pool of investors? 15:55 – “For the first time in 80 years, the ordinary person can invest.” - Howard Marks 17:16 – Why he started Crowdfunding? 18:28 – His first campaign 21:39 – “My biggest justification for what we’re doing was to help entrepreneurs achieve their dreams” - Howard Marks 22:10 – The next challenge: Helping investors trade shares 25:12 – The gift that keeps giving 29:10 – His vision for the years to come 30:28 – “The private small companies are the backbone of the economy” - Howard Marks 31:50 – “Equity crowdfunding is the future of finance for small businesses” - Howard Marks 32:54 – The average capital raise 34:56 – Successful campaigns via StartEngine 35:39 – What they are looking for in an entrepreneur 37:20 – Pieces of advice for early-stage entrepreneurs   If you enjoyed this episode, do us a favor and share it! Also if you haven't already, please take a minute to leave us a 5-star review on iTunes and claim your bonus here!  Copyright 2019. All rights reserved. Read our disclaimer here.