New book about Crowdfunding and the Austrian Alternative Financing Law (AltFG)
The new book “Handbuch Crowdfunding und AltFG” (language: German) provides a comprehensive overview of the various systems of crowdfunding, the legal framework in Austria, especially taking into account the new act on alternative financing (Alternativfinanzierungsgesetz – AltFG).
The book is an ideal guide for entrepreneurs and legal advisors, as it explains when and what type of crowdfunding is promising and what minimum standards must be adhered to for the protection of investors. Furthermore the book provides information about the legal aspects of licensing, the operation of Internet platforms and mandatory contents of prospectuses. The authors: Bibiane Kaufmann works for the Austrian Financial Market Authority (Finanzmarktaufsicht – FMA), while Georg Seper and Christian Zenz are both deputy head of department in the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy (BMWFW) and were instrumental in creation and elaboration of the AltFG.
Venionaire Managing Partner Berthold Baurek-Karlic contributed a chapter with practical examples of crowdfunding and investing. Combining alternative types of financing from equity to debt or equity mezzanine (venture debt) is an fairly underestimated art – structuring a deal right, may reduce funding costs and improve available capital for growth. If you want to learn more about this topic, please contact our experts.