Aberdeen Inspired have teamed up with Crowdfunder on the campaign Pay it Forward, to offer businesses a platform to gather funds from customers and supporters for services to be used at a later date. Crowdfunder cover all platform and transaction fees, meaning fundraising is 100% free for local businesses during the coronavirus crisis.
As the social distancing and lockdown measures rightly continue in the UK and we continue to spend more time indoors, we are inevitably spending less money with our favorite businesses.
This is a challenge, as these businesses need a regular flow of cash to pay salaries or rent, for example. So as well as applying for the UK and Scottish Government funded schemes businesses can also look to create future sales with this innovative new initiative from Crowdfunder which will help ease the impact on cash flow.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, explained: “This is another great initiative where Aberdeen Inspired is looking to support our city centre businesses at a time when we all know it is needed most. We are delighted to collaborate with the national Crowdfunder organisation and encourage our businesses in the heart of the city to sign up and of course for the public to get behind it”.
Three local businesses Melt, Ellees Hair Design and Aberdeensoup have already signed up for the Pay It Forward Crowdfunder.
Mechelle, the big cheese behind Melt Aberdeen, spoke to us about the scheme and said: “I found it really easy to put together, having done a few on other platforms previously. We set a reasonably small target and made it and more!
“I find crowd funding platforms to also be a great way to raise your businesses profile and, in that respect, the best part of it is the customer comments and seeing how invested customers are in our story and us. I would definitely recommend crowd funding, even if you don’t make your target the investment of customers in you is invaluable. You’ve got nothing to lose!”
Businesses who may be worried about their future due to COVID-19 can set-up a Crowdfunder Pay it Forward and generate advance sales of goods and services to ease the immediate pressure. It’s easy and simple to do, just go to www.aberdeeninspired.com and click on the Get Started link on the Crowdfunder article.