Below are the latest equity crowdfunding raises begun this past week. For additional information, we encourage KingsCrowders to click on the link provided for more details. If interested, be sure and follow how each startup’s respective raise is progressing and the concepts they are bringing to the marketplace.
Please note, these are not recommendations but are meant only to inform our readers of new investment opportunities.
Be sure and check back with KingsCrowd in the future. We will continue providing updates on each raise as it progresses, particularly if we feel they meet our criteria of being worthwhile as potential investments.
CountertopSmart, with a valuation cap of $8.5 million, is raising funds on Republic. It is an online marketplace that helps buyers search local partial stone slabs by the size, color, and type of their choice. The users can also get a quote for installation and see the stone in person. Tazio Diehl and Zach House founded CountertopSmart in January 2019. The proceeds of the current crowdfunding raise, with a minimum goal of $25,000 and a maximum goal of $1,070,000, will be used to grow the team, continue market expansion, and execute growth. CountertopSmart has sold over 2,000 partial slabs and generated 22% revenue from repeat purchases. It has a $750,000 run rate and a 50% take rate.
Tonic Coffee, an upcoming coffee and mocktail bar in Pittsburgh, is raising crowdfunding on Honeycomb. The company plans to offer a quality-driven and boutique-style coffee experience with its high-quality products and upscale environment. Stephanie Nicolaas founded Tonic Coffee in July 2020. The current crowdfunding round has a minimum target of $20,000 and a maximum target of $30,000. The funds will be used towards coffee grinders, coffee brewing systems, a water filtration system, an ice maker, and salaries for the barista. Tonic Coffee will host curated coffee experiences three evenings a week. It will also house an art gallery on the second floor for local artists to showcase their work.
Immerse Underwater Safari, with a $6 million pre-money valuation, is raising funds on Wefunder. The company organizes underwater safaris that help save the planet. The safaris remove plastics from oceans and provide real-time data to scientists dealing with problems related to underwater life. Keith Crossland founded Immerse Underwater Safari in January 2020. The proceeds of the current crowdfunding campaign, with a minimum raise of $100,000 and a maximum raise of $1,070,000, will be used for submersible and drone acquisition, infrastructure and support equipment, and company setup and operations. Immerse Underwater Safari has a 10-year exclusive contract with three 5-star resorts, The Ritz Carlton, Patina, and Capella, in the Maldives. The company will take the guests on underwater safaris in their state-of-the-art submersibles.
Aces, with a $5 million valuation cap, is raising crowdfunding on Wefunder. The company makes soft, plush, and antimicrobial towels for kitchen, bath, beach, and fitness. It uses silver fiber technology to keep the towels healthy and bacteria-free for a long time. Jesse Pliner founded Aces in 2017 and has raised over $215,000 since the inception. The proceeds of the current crowdfunding round, with a minimum raise of $249,000 and a maximum raise of $250,000, will be used for website development, brand assets, marketing, and inventory. Aces is an exciting and disruptive brand. It aims to solve an acute health issue and plans to expand into more categories in the future.
Overt Skincare, with a valuation cap of $4.5 million, is raising funds on Wefunder. It is a direct-to-consumer skincare company that combines innovation and technology to create effective skincare. The products contain essentials that actually work at a fair and accessible price. Rory Semple and Giselle Chirinos founded Overt Skincare in 2019. The current round of crowdfunding has a minimum target of $50,000 and a maximum target of $250,000. The proceeds will be used towards the acceleration of B2B sales, expansion, R&D and line extension, and marketing. Overt Skincare uses proprietary formulations and is looking to extend its product line. The company reported month-on-month revenue growth of 167%.
lyfmap. com, with a valuation cap of $6.5 million, is raising crowdfunding on Wefunder. The company has developed a platform that connects users over shared history. The platform allows users to save photos and memories at their map locations, preserve them forever, and share them with others. When other people save memories at the same location, the users get notified to reminisce. Larry Bieza founded lyfmap. com in 2015. The proceeds of the current crowdfunding campaign, with a minimum raise of $50,000 and a maximum raise of $1,070,000, will be used towards operations and marketing. lyfmap. com is initially targeting people over 50 years of age and helping build a unique database of the world’s history.
Automatic, with a $24 million valuation cap, is raising funds on Wefunder. It is a fintech platform that connects lenders and independent auto dealers in the used car space. The app improves the experience for used car buyers, finance managers, and insurance managers. It has helped to reduce the loan approval time by 87.5% and data entry by 75%. Eric Burney, Max Kane, and John Liu founded Automatic in January 2020. The company has raised over $1 million in previous rounds of financing. The current round of crowdfunding has a minimum goal of $50,000 and a maximum goal of $1,070,000. The funds will be used for business development, marketing, operations, and product buildout. Automatic has over 400 dealership partnerships and reported 40% month-over-month growth despite COVID-19.
Trouvaille Brewing Company, an upcoming brewery in Manassas Park, VA, is raising crowdfunding on MainVest. The brewery is owned by five homebrewers bringing their combined experience and skills to the operation. It will serve unique, high-quality, high-end beers to the greater Manassas area community. Cody Powell, Stephen Boyajian, Jacob Osman, Ricky Elliott, and Gregory Ramirez founded Trouvaille Brewing Company in January 2021. The proceeds of the current crowdfunding round, with a minimum raise of $40,000 and a maximum raise of $100,000, will be used towards space buildout, operating capital, and equipment. Trouvaille Brewing Company plans to have a large interior space and additional outdoor seating. It will also acquire a world-class brewing system from Blichmann Engineering.
Robo Esso, a coffee shop in Golden, CO, is raising funds on MainVest. The coffee shop uses a programmed robot instead of a human barista to make drinks. The robot uses off the shelf equipment to customize the menu, offers more drink varieties, and reduces the labor costs by 70%. Matthew Jones founded Robo Esso in January 2020. The current round of crowdfunding has a minimum target of $35,000 and a maximum target of $70,000, and the proceeds will be used for building out a second location, marketing, and growth. Robo Esso plans to make automation adaptable and affordable for small businesses, especially during the pandemic.
Relay On Demand, with a valuation cap of $8 million, is raising funds on Republic. The company has developed an app that helps to book truck drivers on demand. It has created a flexible driver workforce with its Relay Drivershare Network that can be utilized by trucking companies to hire truck drivers on-demand. Darrell Pickens founded Relay On Demand in April 2018. The current crowdfunding round has a minimum goal of $25,000 and a maximum goal of $1,070,000. The funds will be used to enhance the product, expand into new markets, and add more drivers and companies to the network. Relay On Demand has over 1,000 drivers and 400 carriers signed to its network and is already profitable.
BookSniffer, with a pre-money valuation of $18.4 million, is raising funds on StartEngine. The online platform helps independent authors to market and sell their books to readers. It connects readers and authors at an affordable price, allows authors to advertise and expand their fanbase, and helps readers discover new writers every day. Eric Knight and Sean Hansen founded BookSniffer in November 2019. The proceeds of the current crowdfunding round, with a minimum target of $9,999.72 and a maximum target of $249,999.84, will be used for growth and expansion. BookSniffer has over 1,600 authors on board and is already generating revenue. It is disrupting the book shopping experience and making it more convenient and affordable.
American Stories Entertainment
American Stories Entertainment, with a pre-money valuation of $28.4 million, is raising crowdfunding on TruCrowd. The company tells unique stories of real people and covers different lifestyles, including fishing, sports, hunting, and survival strategies. The company creates and controls its own shows and films in small and medium-sized towns. Tony McKnight and Robert Cefail founded American Stories Entertainment in December 2020. The current round of crowdfunding has a minimum raise of $10,000 and a maximum raise of $1,000,000, and the funds will be used for show production, distribution, and marketing. American Stories Entertainment is building a series of distribution channels for its content and aims to create diversity for its content.
VUGO, with a pre-money valuation of $9.05 million, is raising crowdfunding on Wefunder. The company places advertising and entertainment content inside and on top of rideshare vehicles of companies like Uber and Lyft using digital screens and software. The drivers add incremental income to their trips, while the passengers get new entertainment and discover new products. Robert Flessner and James Bellefeuille founded VUGO in 2015 and have raised over $1.3 million since the inception. The proceeds of the current crowdfunding round, with a minimum raise of $50,000 and a maximum raise of $1,070,000, will be used towards operating expenses, development and tech management, and market expansion. VUGO has partnerships with Disney and VIA Ridesharing.
SwanDive, an upcoming hospitality company in Tucson, AZ, is raising crowdfunding on MainVest. The company plans to develop a multi-concept market with natural finishes, a fast and casual menu, and a dive bar vibe. SwanDive will have interactive lifestyle decor, breakfast, lunch, and dinner offerings, and room service for the residents. Eric Ferrone founded SwanDive in January 2021. The proceeds of the current crowdfunding raise, with a minimum target of $75,000 and a maximum target of $175,000, will be used for the buildout and equipment at the market/bar/cafe concept. SwanDive is focused on innovating the market and bar business and plans to expand and become a top brand.
ChildWise, an early childhood education company, is raising funds on SMBX. The company has developed high-quality early childhood education programs for teachers, parents, and caretakers, and provides training and consulting solutions. The bilingual childhood training program of ChildWise is one of the top ones among early childhood education practices. Jing Zhao Cesarone founded ChildWise in 2017. The current crowdfunding campaign has a minimum goal of $50,000 and a maximum goal of $100,000, and the funds will be used for content marketing, customer service, and teaching assistant hires. ChildWise has provided CDA training to hundreds of early childhood educators and is seeking explosive growth.
SimpleTest by iAssay, with a valuation cap of $8.5 million, is raising crowdfunding on Wefunder. The company has developed a portable medical test reader that ensures medical tests can be read anywhere, without human error, and gives results in minutes. Lonnie Adelman founded SimpleTest by iAssay in 2014 and has raised over $360,000 since its inception. The proceeds of the current crowdfunding round, with a minimum target of $50,000 and a maximum target of $900,000, will be used for salaries, R&D, clinical testing, and production. SimpleTest by iAssay is revolutionizing the point of care medical testing industry and expects to find use at medical facilities, nursing homes, and private households.
Carolina Smoke, a BBQ restaurant in Morganton, NC, is raising funds on MainVest. The restaurant offers high-quality smoked fresh meats in giant portions with sides and sauces. The meats are smoked overnight and served fresh every day, without freezing or reheating. Emily Dale and Jason Dale founded Carolina Smoke in 2018. The current crowdfunding round has a minimum target of $100,000 and a maximum target of $250,000. The proceeds will be used to add a second location, purchase new equipment, and upfit the building. Carolina Smoke is known for its gigantic portions that are large enough for the most voracious appetites. The restaurant generated revenue of $830,000 in 2020 and expects to generate $2.4 million in 2021.
Jefferson Fry Company, a fast-food restaurant in Cromwell, CT, is raising crowdfunding on MainVest. The restaurant offers delicious and unique “dirty” French fries, burgers, and shakes and is known for its high quality and top-notch service. Emmet Moore founded Jefferson Fry Company in 2016. The proceeds of the current crowdfunding round, with a minimum raise of $100,000 and a maximum raise of $250,000, will be used to expand to a second and potentially third location. Jefferson Fry Company has over 2,000 active fans on Facebook and reported a 42% year-over-year growth in revenue in the second half of 2020. The restaurant is known for its customizable and messy French fries.
Vlogmi, with a pre-money valuation of $4.96 million, is raising funds on Wefunder. The company has developed a social media app that helps share original, authentic, and genuine content in the form of vlogs. The platform aims to make social media a healthier place by promoting authentic and genuine content rather than disingenuous content. Luke Thorssen, LeRoy Thorssen, and Rafaella Thorssen founded Vlogmi in October 2020. The current crowdfunding round has a minimum goal of $51,040 and a maximum goal of $580,000. The proceeds will be used towards operating and development team, office and utility costs, hardware and software costs, and marketing and travel. Vlogmi believes in making an impact on the wellbeing and mental health of millions of people with its authenticity.
Pizza Grace, an upcoming pizza place in Chicago, IL, is raising crowdfunding on MainVest. The pizza place plans to use an artistic approach to take out pizzas that are 100% naturally leavened. The company is trying to build a brand and not a restaurant with its grace, fine art turned graphic design, and strong branding and logo design. Ryan Westover founded Pizza Grace in June 2020. The proceeds of the current crowdfunding round, with a minimum target of $85,000 and a maximum target of $120,000, will be used for website and app development, space buildout, equipment purchase, working capital, staff training, inventory, and custom packaging purchase. Pizza Grace aims to create a small, manageable, and profitable footprint.
