July 31, 2013
Mission Markets Community Portals Will Enable the Small Business Networks of ASBC and SCSBCC to Have Accessto Equity and Donation-Based Crowd Financing and Support Sustainable Entrepreneurship
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Mission Markets™, which operates a portal network for impact and sustainability investments, announced today the launch of an online portal for local business investment in partnership with The American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) and the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce (SCSBCC). ASBC and SCSBCC will have access to Mission Market’s unique blend of financing and donation-based crowdfunding resources.
The MMX private placement and Mission Crowdfund portal platforms provide ASBC’s 63+ U.S. business associations, 165,000 U.S. small businesses and 300,000 U.S.entrepreneurs the tools to seek financing from both accredited investors, as well as through crowd-sourced donations. The SCSBCC’s 5,000+ member organizations throughout the state of South Carolina can access funding for sustainable businesses using these new financing channels.
“For the first time ever, community-based organizations will be able to create their own marketplace where local businesses and local investors can meet. With the Mission Crowdfund tools on these sites, a whole new era of opportunities are now open to the 99% of the American public, who are now able to donate funds alongside accredited investors,” says Michael Shuman, Director of Community Portals, Mission Markets. “Members of a community now will be able to discover and support small companies aligned with their values that are the sustainable foundation of their community.”
“We chose to work with Mission Markets because of its mission to do good, its technology to enable these proprietary blended portal networks and its goal of reaching across organizations,” says Frank Knapp, President & CEO, SCSBCC,and Co-Chair, ASBC Action Fund. “By offering small businesses access to equity from accredited investors, anddonation-based crowd financing, we are helping local communities to thrive in a socially responsible manner.
”Mission Markets™ is differentiated by its inclusive, collaborative approach in scaling the sustainable and impact investing markets. Mission Crowdfund is an example of Mission Markets’ focus on fostering an entire ecosystem around financing for social and environmental impact. “We see this as a significant step in expanding our reach,” says Michael Van Patten, Mission Markets” Founder and President. “This inclusive platform is critical in delivering market infrastructure to social andenvironmental stakeholders worldwide.”
About Mission Markets™
Mission Markets, the leading financial marketplace for sustainable capitalism, creates a comprehensive solution for social and environmental mission-focused organizations to connect with impact investors, organizations and related professionals. In addition to its main website, Mission Markets provides Community Portals to enable local and affinity-based groups to access capital markets. The company helps mission-focused organizations grow by offering a broad range of financial products, from donations to debt to equity investments. Securities products and services are offered through Bendigo Securities, LLC d/b/aCrowdClear(memberFINRA/SIPC). For more information, visitMissionMarkets™ or follow Mission Markets onhttps://twitter.com/MissionMarkets
About American Sustainable Business Council
The American Sustainable Business Council and its member organizations represent more than 165,000 businesses nationwide, and more than 300,000 entrepreneurs, executives, managers and investors. The council includes chambers of commerce, trade associations, and groups representing small business, investors, microenterprise, social enterprise, green and sustainable business, local living economy, and women and minority business leaders. ASBC informs and engages policy makers and the public about the need and opportunities for building a vibrant and sustainable economy. For more information, visit www.asbcouncil.org
About South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce (SCSBCC)
The SC Small Business Chamber of Commerce (SCSBCC), a statewide advocacy organization, is a leader in making South Carolina more small-business friendly. The SCSBCC has provided leadership on issues such as promoting healthcare policy to make insurance more affordable for small businesses, reducing pass-through business state income tax to achieve parity with C-Corporations, championing worker training programs, supporting alternative energy and conservation, promoting programs increasing access to capital for small businesses and advocating for comprehensive small business development efforts by the state. For years, SCSBCC has successfully intervened in the regulatory process regarding utility and workers’ compensation rate making, and has saved small businesses hundreds of millions of dollars. For more information, visit www.scsbc.org
Contacts
Mission Markets
Tina Hedges,
+212-731-4353 Media Relations
or
ASBC
Bob Keener,
+617-610-6766 Media Relations
or
SCSBCC
Frank Knapp, Jr.,
+803-252-5733 Founder & CEO