Equity Crowdfunding Demystified: Step-by-Step SEIS Campaign Guide

Introduction

Ever wondered how to raise money without giving away the farm?
Equity crowdfunding under SEIS can feel like a maze.
But it doesn’t have to be.

With the right guidance, you can nail every SEIS crowdfunding steps.
Here, we’ll break it down.
Short. Simple. Actionable.

You’ll learn:

• What SEIS equity crowdfunding is.
• Why commission-free matters.
• The exact SEIS crowdfunding steps to follow.
• How Oriel IPO’s platform (and even Maggie’s AutoBlog) can help.

Let’s get started.

What is SEIS equity crowdfunding?

At its heart, SEIS (Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme) lets small UK startups raise money in exchange for shares.
Investors get generous tax relief—50% back on the first £100k they put in.
Combine that with the power of the crowd, and you’ve got equity crowdfunding.

Key perks:

• Tax incentives for investors.
• Small stakes from many backers.
• New audience. New customers.
• A PR boost.

Sounds great, right? But watch out for platform fees and red tape.

Competitor snapshot

Platforms like Seedrs and Crowdcube dominate the scene.
They offer solid vetting and big audiences.
But they charge 5–8% commission on successful raises.
Plus admin fees on top.

No fees? No thanks.
That’s where Oriel IPO steps in.

Why choose a commission-free platform?

Most equity platforms take a slice. Oriel IPO doesn’t.
No commission. Ever.

Why it matters:

• You keep more funds for growth.
• Your investors feel the benefit of SEIS, not platform fees.
• Transparent pricing. No hidden surprises.
• A curated, tax-focused marketplace.

Oriel IPO also offers:

• Educational guides on SEIS and EIS.
• A supportive community of SMEs and angel investors.
• Subscription tiers to suit your business stage.

SEIS crowdfunding steps: Getting started with Oriel IPO

Ready to roll? Follow these SEIS crowdfunding steps to launch a winning campaign.

Step 1: Check your eligibility

SEIS rules are strict.
Your company must:

• Be UK-based.
• Less than two years old.
• Have gross assets under £350k.
• Employ fewer than 25 people.

Fail to meet these? You risk losing big tax perks.

Step 2: Pick your platform

You have choices.
But if you want no commission, curated deals, and focused SEIS support, Oriel IPO wins.

Why Oriel IPO over Seedrs/Crowdcube:

• 0% commission vs up to 8%.
• Curated SEIS/EIS opportunities.
• Educational toolkits.
• Straightforward subscription model.

Step 3: Craft your campaign and story

Storytime.
Investors buy in to visions, not spreadsheets.

Your page needs:

• A snappy headline.
• Clear funding target.
• A compelling video.
• Honest, punchy copy.
• Professional images.

Tip: Use Oriel IPO’s “Maggie’s AutoBlog” to auto-generate SEO-friendly blog posts.
It can sprinkle your story across social feeds, landing pages and email blasts.
No writer? No problem.

Step 4: Set your funding target

Be realistic.
Too high? Looks scary. Too low? Won’t cover costs.

Pre-secure 20–30% from friends, family or early supporters.
A page showing 0% of target? Awkward.
5–10 investors already on board? Instant momentum.

Step 5: Market your campaign

Marketing is half your battle.
Oriel IPO gives you tools—and remember Maggie’s AutoBlog.

Use:

• Email newsletters.
• Social media events.
• Guest posts on industry blogs.
• PR outreach.
• Paid ads (optional).

Pro tip: Share milestones.
“50% funded in two days!”
That social proof drives more backers.

Explore our features

Step 6: Launch and engage community

Launch day.
Celebrate.
Be everywhere:

• Host a live Q&A.
• Drop behind-the-scenes videos.
• Answer comments promptly.

This engagement builds trust—and trust converts.

Step 7: Deliver on commitments

Hit your target? Bravo.
Now deliver:

• Issue shares swiftly.
• Honour any rewards.
• Keep investors updated monthly.

A happy crowd becomes your biggest champions.

Practical tips for smooth SEIS crowdfunding

These quick wins can make a difference:

• Run a dry run with a small focus group.
• Optimise your pitch video for mobile.
• Use bullet lists and subheadings for easy reading.
• Set clear timelines for use of funds.
• Host investor webinars pre-launch.

Avoiding common pitfalls

Every SEIS crowdfunding steps checklist has traps. Here’s how Oriel IPO helps:

1. Platform fees
   – ✗ Hidden charges on Seedrs/Crowdcube
   – ✓ Oriel IPO: Zero commission

2. Compliance headaches
   – ✗ Complex FCA rules on many sites
   – ✓ Oriel IPO’s guides simplify legal steps

3. Marketing overload
   – ✗ Juggling multiple tools
   – ✓ Use Maggie’s AutoBlog for automatic content

4. Investor updates
   – ✗ Manual reports and spreadsheets
   – ✓ In-platform dashboards keep everyone in the loop

Final thoughts

Equity crowdfunding under SEIS can be a lifeline.
Follow these SEIS crowdfunding steps.
Choose a platform that values your company—like Oriel IPO.
Keep it clear. Keep it honest. And keep it commission-free.

Ready to take the plunge?

Get a personalized demo