Two issues you face when you’re considering opening  a new restaurant are how do you know if there‘s a market for it and where will you get the money to get started. ‘Equity Eats’ is a US based initiative that attempts to solve both problems at once by enabling entrepreneurs to raise finance from their prospective customers.

‘Equity Eats’ enables entrepreneurs to raise funds for their venture by crowdfunding the start-up capital in exchange for future equity. Investors are primarily local community members, meaning their support in itself supports the viability of the concept.

Two things to think about:

1. Could you copy this idea in the UK?

2. Are there other local businesses which could be financed by the community in this way?

www.equityeats.com