# Crowdopedia

## [When a Business Closes: How Founders Should Treat Their Investors](https://kingscrowd.com/when-a-business-closes-how-founders-should-treat-their-investors/)

Closing a startup is hard. Learn how to communicate a wind-down to Reg CF/Reg A investors—what to say, what to share, and a simple template.

### [How to Build Momentum in a Reg CF Raise (Insights from Market Chemistry)](https://kingscrowd.com/startup-inbox-education-market-chemistry-1/ "How to Build Momentum in a Reg CF Raise (Insights from Market Chemistry)")

Marketing partner Devin Ambron (Market Chemistry) shares what’s working in crowdfunding today: warm network activation, repeat investors, budget expectations, channel strategy, and platform leverage.

### [Common Stock vs. Preferred Stock](https://kingscrowd.com/common-stock-vs-preferred-stock-investment-crowdfunding/ "Common Stock vs. Preferred Stock")

Understand the critical differences in rights, protections, and potential returns between Common and Preferred Stock to better evaluate startup investments.

### [Should You Convert Your SAFE to Stock? A Practical Guide for Startup Investors](https://kingscrowd.com/should-you-convert-your-safe-to-stock-a-practical-guide-for-startup-investors/ "Should You Convert Your SAFE to Stock? A Practical Guide for Startup Investors")

Should you convert your SAFE to stock? Learn the pros and cons of SAFE conversion for startup investors, including QSBS, dilution, liquidity, and Reg CF considerations.

### [Advocating for a More Nuanced Approach to Reg CF at the SEC](https://kingscrowd.com/advocating-for-a-more-nuanced-approach-to-reg-cf-at-the-sec/ "Advocating for a More Nuanced Approach to Reg CF at the SEC")

Kingscrowd's Brian Belley shares insights from his SEC panel appearance advocating for Reg CF reform to better serve both Main Street businesses and high-growth startups.

### [LLC vs C-Corp: How Company Structure Affects Your Investment Taxes](https://kingscrowd.com/llc-vs-c-corp-how-company-structure-affects-your-investment-taxes/ "LLC vs C-Corp: How Company Structure Affects Your Investment Taxes")

Learn how investing in LLCs versus C-Corporations impacts your taxes—including K-1 forms and potential QSBS benefits—to better prepare for tax season as a startup investor.

### [What is Testing the Waters (TTW)?](https://kingscrowd.com/what-is-testing-the-waters-ttw/ "What is Testing the Waters (TTW)?)

Learn what Testing the Waters (TTW) means for startup investors and founders, including key differences between Reg CF and Reg A TTW and how to identify TTW raises.

### [Funding Portals vs. Broker-Dealers: What Investors and Founders Need to Know](https://kingscrowd.com/funding-portals-vs-broker-dealers-what-investors-and-founders-need-to-know/ "Funding Portals vs. Broker-Dealers: What Investors and Founders Need to Know")

What’s the difference between a Funding Portal and a Broker-Dealer? Learn how these intermediaries shape investment crowdfunding opportunities for investors and startups.

### [Understanding Kingscrowd Startup Ratings and Risk Assessment](https://kingscrowd.com/understanding-kingscrowd-startup-ratings-and-risk-assessment/ "Understanding Kingscrowd Startup Ratings and Risk Assessment")

Learn how Kingscrowd’s startup ratings system evaluates investment opportunities using quantitative data on market potential, valuation, performance, and risk.

### [How to Search for Companies Based on Your Investment Thesis](https://kingscrowd.com/how-to-search-for-companies-based-on-your-investment-thesis/ "How to Search for Companies Based on Your Investment Thesis")

Discover tailored investment opportunities with KingsCrowd’s Deal Explorer. Our powerful tool lets you filter by rating, valuation, industry, and more, helping you find deals that match your investment criteria.

### [How to Use Kingscrowd’s Advanced Company Search for Comprehensive Investment Research](https://kingscrowd.com/how-to-use-kingscrowds-advanced-company-search-for-comprehensive-investment-research/ "How to Use Kingscrowd’s Advanced Company Search for Comprehensive Investment Research")

Learn how to use Kingscrowd’s Advanced Company Search to filter over 9,000 crowdfunded startups by status, platform, valuation, founder demographics, and more. Enhance your investment research with detailed filtering and analysis options.

### [How to Use Kingscrowd’s Tax Center for Managing Crowdfunded Investment Portfolios](https://kingscrowd.com/how-to-use-kingscrowds-tax-center-for-managing-crowdfunded-investment-portfolios/ "How to Use Kingscrowd’s Tax Center for Managing Crowdfunded Investment Portfolios")

Learn how to use Kingscrowd's Tax Center to track gains, losses, exits, and failures in your equity crowdfunding portfolio. Simplify tax time with automated calculations and downloadable reports.

## [Alaffia: Building a Profitable Social Enterprise Connecting West Africa to Global Markets](https://kingscrowd.com/inside-startup-investing-episode-172/)

Alaffia CEO Olowo-n’djo Tchala shares how he built a profitable ethical consumer brand by connecting West African cooperatives to global markets.

### [The New “Buffet” of Private Market Investing](https://kingscrowd.com/kingscrowd-podcast-episode-064/ "The New “Buffet” of Private Market Investing")

Crowdfunding has expanded beyond startups into collectibles, creators, and more. We break down what’s changed — and why investors are struggling to keep up.

### [Solgaard: Building a Sustainable Travel Brand by Turning Ocean Plastic into Premium Products](https://kingscrowd.com/inside-startup-investing-podcast-episode-171/ "Solgaard: Building a Sustainable Travel Brand by Turning Ocean Plastic into Premium Products")

Solgaard founder Adrian Solgaard shares how he built a sustainable DTC brand using ocean-bound plastic, scaling from Kickstarter to a multi-million dollar travel company.

### [Fragment Media: Building a $40M Digital Media Business by Selling Quality Journalism](https://kingscrowd.com/inside-startup-investing-episode-170/ "Fragment Media: Building a $40M Digital Media Business by Selling Quality Journalism")

Fragment Media CEO Nicholas White explains how a subscription-first media company generated $40M in revenue by focusing on niche, high-quality journalism and paid subscribers.

### [Reinventing the Wheel: How GACW Is Building Airless Suspension Wheels for Extreme Performance](https://kingscrowd.com/inside-startup-investing-episode-169/ "Reinventing the Wheel: How GACW Is Building Airless Suspension Wheels for Extreme Performance")

GACW CEO Harmen van Kamp explains how airless wheel technology integrates suspension into the wheel, eliminating traditional tires and reshaping mobility across defense, off-road, and EV markets.

### [The Illusion of Liquidity in Private Investing](https://kingscrowd.com/kingscrowd-podcast-episode-063/ "The Illusion of Liquidity in Private Investing")

Fundrise’s Innovation Fund highlights a key issue in private markets: liquidity vs expectations. We break down NAV, pricing, and retail investor risks.

### [Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical: An AI-Driven Platform Targeting Inflammation Across Multiple Diseases](https://kingscrowd.com/inside-startup-investing-episode-168/ "Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical: An AI-Driven Platform Targeting Inflammation Across Multiple Diseases")

Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical CEO Jim Iversen explains how an AI-driven platform is developing inflammation-focused drugs, with Phase 2 trials completed and a licensing-based biotech strategy.

### [New Assets, New Rules: The Evolution of Alternative Investing](https://kingscrowd.com/kingscrowd-podcast-episode-062/ "New Assets, New Rules: The Evolution of Alternative Investing")

Private markets are evolving with new SEC updates, alternative assets, and platforms. We break down what’s changing — and what actually matters for investors.

### [Atari Hotels: Building a $124M Gaming-Themed Destination in Phoenix](https://kingscrowd.com/inside-startup-investing-episode-167/ "Atari Hotels: Building a $124M Gaming-Themed Destination in Phoenix")

Jordan Taylor explains the $124 million Atari Hotels project in Phoenix, combining gaming culture, experiential hospitality, and real estate investment with preferred returns for investors.

### [Reg CF Reform: What Actually Needs to Change?](https://kingscrowd.com/kingscrowd-podcast-episode-061/ "Reg CF Reform: What Actually Needs to Change?")

A new SEC petition proposes Reg CF reforms including a $20M cap. We break down what matters, what doesn’t, and what equity crowdfunding really needs.

### [Why Most Crowdfunding Campaigns Fail (And How Top Issuers Avoid It)](https://kingscrowd.com/inside-startup-investing-episode-166/ "Why Most Crowdfunding Campaigns Fail (And How Top Issuers Avoid It)")

Digital Niche Agency founder Jason Fishman breaks down what drives successful Reg CF and Reg A+ raises—traffic goals, conversion math, channel strategy, creative testing, and investor relations that fuel repeat capital.

### [Retail vs VC: How to Think About Follow-On Investing](https://kingscrowd.com/kingscrowd-podcast-episode-060/ "Retail vs VC: How to Think About Follow-On Investing")

When should you reinvest in a startup? We break down follow-on investing strategy, pro rata signals, and why we doubled down on Pirouette Pharma.

## [Subrata Pal on the Changing World of Investing](https://kingscrowd.com/investor/investor-profile-subrata-pal/)

KingsCrowd interviewed startup investor Subrata Pal to learn about his approach to investing in tech companies, secondary markets and more.

### [Jonathan Berman on Investing in What You Know](https://kingscrowd.com/investor/investor-profile-jonathan-berman/ "Jonathan Berman on Investing in What You Know")

KingsCrowd spoke to startup investor Jonathan Berman to learn how being an entrepreneur has helped him as an investor.

### [Crowdwise Founder Brian Belley Reveals His Investing Strategy](https://kingscrowd.com/investor/investor-profile-brian-belley/ "Crowdwise Founder Brian Belley Reveals His Investing Strategy")

Crowdwise founder Brian Belley shares his strategy for startup investing and tips for new investors in this KingsCrowd Investor Profile.

### [Timothy Dickens is Investing for Retirement](https://kingscrowd.com/investor/investor-profile-timothy-dickens/ "Timothy Dickens is Investing for Retirement")

KingsCrowd spoke to startup investor Timothy Dickens who told us about his startup investing strategy and his goals for retirement.

### [Vilem Fruhbauer Is “Fixing America One Ben Franklin at a Time”](https://kingscrowd.com/investor/investor-profile-vilem-fruhbauer/ "Vilem Fruhbauer Is “Fixing America One Ben Franklin at a Time”")

In KingsCrowd's first Investor Profile, Vilem Fruhbauer tells us how his investment strategy is "Fixing America one Ben Franklin at a time."