Step-by-Step Guide to Using Kingscrowd’s Exit and Failure Tracker

The Kingscrowd Exit and Failure Tracker is a unique tool that helps investors monitor the performance of startups that raised capital through equity crowdfunding. Tracking both exits and business failures, this feature offers critical insights for investors who want to keep tabs on the companies in their portfolio. Here’s a complete guide to using this powerful tool effectively.

Step 1: Accessing the Exit and Failure Tracker

  1. Login to Kingscrowd: Begin by logging into your Kingscrowd account.
  2. Navigate to ‘Exits and Failures’: Go to the ‘Companies’ section and select ‘Exits and Failures’ to access the Exit and Failure Tracker. This tracker is available to Edge members as a premium feature.

Step 2: Exploring the Exit and Failure Database

  1. Overview of Tracked Companies: The Exit and Failure Tracker lists over 480 companies that have either failed or had successful exits after raising capital online. This comprehensive database offers valuable insights into the performance of these startups.
  2. Filter by Year: You can refine the list by selecting a specific year from the dropdown menu to focus on exits or failures within that timeframe.
  3. Search by Company Name: Use the search bar to locate specific companies by name or keyword. For instance, a search for “mate” might bring up “Mate Fertility” or any other company with a matching term in its name or description.

Step 3: Analyzing Company Outcomes

  1. Detailed Company Information: Clicking on any company in the tracker will provide further details about its outcome. For example, if a company has shut down, you’ll see a brief explanation along with a source, such as a press release or social media announcement, if available.
  2. Verified and Unverified Information: Some entries may lack a public verification source, typically because the information was provided directly by the company or an investor. Unverified data will be noted as such, allowing investors to use it for informational purposes while seeking additional verification if needed.

Step 4: Types of Exits and Failures

  1. Outcome Categories: Companies in the tracker are grouped by types of outcomes, including asset sales, shutdowns, IPOs, repurchases, and more. This categorization provides a quick overview of the types of exits and failures that have occurred within the crowdfunding space.
  2. Important Investor Notifications: For companies that are no longer in business, Kingscrowd adds a notification to their raise page, making it easier to track outcomes for investments on a company-by-company basis.

Staying Informed on Company Updates

  1. Use as Informational Resource: The Exit and Failure Tracker is a valuable resource for tracking your investments. However, investors should use it as a starting point and reach out to companies directly for verification, especially if using this data for tax purposes or portfolio adjustments.
  2. Leverage Kingscrowd’s Tax Center: Kingscrowd’s Tax Center is a complementary tool that can assist with tax time preparation. If you’ve added investments to your Kingscrowd portfolio, you can cross-reference information with the Tax Center to ensure your records are up to date.