Back in October, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved a new set of rules that will allow entrepreneurs to use crowdfunding sites to raise capital. The kinds of crowdfunding campaigns that have become popular in the past decade—the cult-classic movies, the rare beers, the frivolous potato salads—have solicited what were essentially donations. Departing from those, these new rules will allow startups to distribute equity, not just perks, to just about anyone who wants to invest.
