Introduction: Why Freetrade’s Record-Breaking Raise Matters
Freetrade’s astonishing £7 million crowdraise in just five days under lockdown shows us the crowdfunding campaign best practices that SEIS/EIS startups crave. They smashed a £1 million target in under five minutes via Crowdcube, drawing in over 8,500 backers. It wasn’t magic. It was strategy. And it holds vital lessons for founders who need to nail community building, tax incentives and friction-free user journeys.
We’ll unpack five practical takeaways from this campaign and show you how to weave them into your own equity raise. Whether you’re gearing up for SEIS or EIS, understanding these crowdfunding campaign best practices can make the difference between hitting your goal and leaving money on the table. Ready to go further? Revolutionising investment opportunities in the UK with crowdfunding campaign best practices
Lesson 1: Cultivate a Community That Believes in You
Freetrade didn’t wake up with 150,000 customers on day one. They earned each fan, one referral at a time. Before the fundraise, they invested in newsletters, webinars, social media Q&As and honest product updates. You want people rooting for your success long before you hit “launch.”
Key steps:
– Host low-barrier webinars on SEIS/EIS basics.
– Invite early users to private chats or forums.
– Share behind-the-scenes product tests.
– Reward community members with sneak peeks and badges.
This early buy-in means your funding round becomes a celebration, not a cold pitch.
Lesson 2: Set an Achievable Target — Then Smash It
Freetrade set a modest £1 million goal and cleared it in 4 minutes. Why start small? Early momentum builds social proof. Potential investors hate empty rounds. They want to back winners, not risky longshots.
- Use pre-commitments from existing shareholders.
- Tease your minimum viable raise in advance.
- Highlight “X investors already on board” in real time.
- Shift your campaign page to show the closing gap.
Seeing that target fly past encourages fence-sitters to jump in. Don’t overwhelm. Start lean, then scale up.
Lesson 3: Leverage SEIS/EIS Tax Perks Like a Pro
Nothing lights investor eyes like a double-digit tax break. SEIS and EIS offer up to 50 per cent income tax relief and potential capital gains waivers. Freetrade made these perks front and centre. They explained in plain English how investors could reduce their tax bill and still back a mission-driven app.
Best practice:
– Create simple infographics on SEIS/EIS benefits.
– Use video clips with founders explaining tax relief.
– Offer downloadable guides on claim processes.
– Highlight case studies of real investor returns.
Tax incentives alone won’t seal the deal, but they’ll get people reading your deck.
Explore how commission-free SEIS/EIS funding thrives with crowdfunding campaign best practices
Lesson 4: Communicate with Radical Transparency
In uncertain times, clarity is your secret weapon. Freetrade published weekly updates on user growth, trading volumes and lockdown challenges. They didn’t sugar-coat dips or delays. Instead, they turned each hiccup into a trust-building moment.
To mirror their approach:
– Post regular blogs on campaign progress.
– Share both metrics and anecdotes—numbers plus human stories.
– Be upfront about risks, delays or regulatory hurdles.
– Use tools like live Q&A sessions to address concerns in real time.
Transparency reassures investors that you’re not hiding anything. It also turns backers into advocates.
Lesson 5: Simplify the Investment Journey
Long forms and confusing legal jargon kill pledges. Freetrade’s Crowdcube-hosted round required just a few clicks and clear guidance. They pre-filled data where possible and provided friendly pop-up help.
You can streamline by:
– Choosing a platform with a smooth UI, or integrating a widget on your site.
– Limiting mandatory fields to essentials.
– Writing copy at a 7th-grade reading level.
– Embedding prompts that guide investors step by step.
A seamless experience reduces drop-off rates and boosts conversion.
How Oriel IPO Helps You Nail These Lessons
Oriel IPO is built to deliver on every one of these crowdfunding campaign best practices — without charging a slice of your raise. Here’s how we fit in:
- Commission-free funding: Keep more of every pound raised. No hidden fees.
- Curated SEIS/EIS deals: We vet startups so investors can trust eligibility before they commit.
- Educational resources: From guides to webinars, we demystify tax relief and investment steps.
- Transparent dashboards: Share live campaign progress with your community.
- Simple subscription model: Access the platform’s full features through a clear monthly fee.
Whether you’re eyeing a £100,000 or £5 million raise, Oriel IPO equips you with the tools to follow in Freetrade’s footsteps.
Testimonials
“Oriel IPO’s clear guidance on SEIS and EIS saved us weeks of legal back-and-forth. We reached our target in days.”
— Emma Collins, Founder of GreenWave Tech“The commission-free model meant we actually got the funds we pitched. No surprises, just real results.”
— Kai Patel, CEO of HealthInApp“Their community-building webinars showed us how to turn beta users into first-day investors. Game over.”
— Megan Liu, COO of TravelOrb
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Freetrade’s record-breaking £7 million round under lockdown wasn’t down to luck. It was distilled strategy, executed with discipline. By cultivating a loyal community, playing to SEIS/EIS perks, keeping communication crystal-clear and polishing the user journey, they unlocked exceptional support.
Now it’s your turn. Take these five lessons, adapt them to your mission, and raise with confidence. You don’t need to pay a slice of your raise for expert tools and guidance. Instead, choose a platform designed to amplify every step of your campaign.
Ready to set your own record? Get ahead with top crowdfunding campaign best practices
