Before 2012, if you weren't wealthy or well-connected, you couldn't invest in most private companies - and those companies couldn't publicly ask for investment. Douglas Ellenoff, one of the architects of modern crowdfunding regulation, explains how the JOBS Act changed everything.

Through regulated portals, retail investors can now participate in early-stage investments, and entrepreneurs can raise up to $5M through crowdfunding. Despite initial resistance from the SEC and Wall Street, the program has shown remarkably low fraud rates while creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and new opportunities.

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Most importantly, crowdfunding has opened doors for those traditionally excluded from capital markets. Women and minority-led businesses have found significant success, and investment opportunities have spread beyond traditional financial hubs. Watch as Doug explains the battle to democratize investment in America and its impact on entrepreneurs and investors alike.

Chapters:

00:00 Reversing Securities Law

01:20 Investment Limits and Protection

02:33 Getting Through Congress

05:51 Types of Crowdfunding

06:37 The Impact of Regulation on Capital Markets

09:36 The Evolution of Crowdfunding

09:56 Impact and Jobs

11:54 Fraud Statistics

13:57 Geographic and Demographic Impact

16:16 Exploring Pessimism and Optimism in Society

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