Question 1

Can I continue to raise funds in the future?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can raise up to $5 million in a 12-month period under Reg CF. We’ll help plan future rounds in alignment with your growth and compliance needs.

Question 2

Can I offer perks or rewards to my investors?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many companies offer perks such as early product access, discounts or branded merchandise as a thank-you to investors. A few rules apply: Disclose every perk in your Form C. Perks are part of your offering, so they must be described there. You can’t add or change a perk later without amending your Form C. Treat investors consistently. Perks can be tiered by investment amount, but everyone at the same tier must get the same perk. Perks aren’t returns. Don’t offer cash, interest or anything that works like a financial return. Don’t describe perks in a way that suggests the investment will pay off. You’re responsible for delivering them. Plan for the cost and timing, and follow through as described. Consider tax and legal effects. Perks may have tax consequences for you or your investors. Check with your accountant or attorney. AQi can help you think through how to structure and disclose perks.

Question 3

Can I raise funds from international investors?

Accepted Answer

No. Under Regulation Crowdfunding, only U.S. investors can participate in U.S.-based campaigns.

Question 4

Do I need a business lawyer to set up my campaign?

Accepted Answer

It’s not required, but it’s recommended. AQi partners with experts who can assist you, or you can consult your own lawyer to ensure compliance with legal standards.

Question 5

How can I promote my campaign and attract investors?

Accepted Answer

You can promote your offering on social media, in email newsletters and through your own network. Just follow a few rules about what you can say outside the AQi platform. When you mention your offering’s terms outside AQi, such as the amount you’re raising, the type of security, the price or the closing date, Rule 204 limits what that post or message can include: A statement that you’re raising money through AQi, with a link to your offering page The terms of the offering Basic facts about your company: legal name, location, contact information, website and a brief description of the business That’s it. Leave out testimonials, projections, your pitch story and anything else. When you don’t mention terms, you can talk about your business as you normally would: your products, your customers, your milestones and your mission. Keep these posts separate from posts that mention offering terms. Questions about the offering should go to the Q&A section on your AQi offering page, so every investor sees the same information. Perks are allowed, but each one must be described in your Form C, and your posts can’t make them sound like returns on an investment. If you pay anyone to promote your offering, such as an influencer or a marketing firm, that person must clearly disclose that they’re being paid every time they promote it. AQi provides marketing tools and resources to help you plan compliant promotion. Send us your posts before they go out, and we’ll help you check them.

Question 6

How do I attract investors to my campaign?

Accepted Answer

Start with a clear, complete offering page. Tell your story, explain your business and how you plan to use the funds, and use photos or video to show what you do. Everything you present has to be accurate and match your Form C, including the risks. Next, reach out to the people who already know you: customers, community members, your personal network and your social media followers. They’re often a campaign’s earliest supporters. When you promote outside the AQi platform, any post that mentions your offering’s terms must follow Rule 204’s limits. See How can I promote my offering? for the details. Point investor questions to the Q&A section on your offering page. AQi provides marketing tools and resources to help you plan your outreach.

Question 7

How do I handle investor relations?

Accepted Answer

Keep investors informed about your business, including milestones, financial health, and challenges. We help you develop communication strategies to keep investors engaged.

Question 8

How do I keep investors updated on my progress?

Accepted Answer

You can update investors through our platform, and we encourage quarterly updates. Transparency and communication help build investor trust and maintain engagement.

Question 9

How do I manage the legal aspects of fundraising?

Accepted Answer

AQi and its partners help you navigate legal requirements like SEC filings and investment contracts. You may also consult a lawyer to ensure full compliance.

Question 10

How do I set up an investment offering on your platform?

Accepted Answer

AQi guides you step by step through setting up your campaign and attracting investors. You’ll outline your business, your market, the problem you solve, and why you're the right team to solve it.

Question 11

How long does it take to complete a crowdfunding campaign?

Accepted Answer

Campaigns typically last 45 to 180 days, but you can choose a duration that fits your business. Extensions are possible if you’re close to your goal.

Question 12

How much can I raise through crowdfunding?

Accepted Answer

On AQi’s platform, you can raise between $150k and $5 million under Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF). The amount depends on your goals, business needs, and investor interest.

Question 13

How will investors receive updates on my business?

Accepted Answer

Investors get updates through the AQi platform. You’re expected to provide quarterly updates on milestones, revenue, and progress to maintain transparency and trust.

Question 14

What are the costs involved in raising funds through your platform?

Accepted Answer

There are platform and transaction fees involved, which are clearly outlined before you launch your campaign. We prioritize transparency and value for your fundraising efforts.

Question 15

What are the tax implications of crowdfunding?

Accepted Answer

Tax implications depend on your business structure, the investment type, and the amount raised. Consult a tax professional for specific guidance.

Question 16

What do I need to provide to start a campaign?

Accepted Answer

You'll need financial statements, your funding goals, a business plan, investment terms, and an overview of how you’ll use the funds. A pitch deck is great if you have one, and we’ll help you if you don’t.

Question 17

What happens after my campaign is successfully funded?

Accepted Answer

Funds are transferred to your business, and you’re expected to use them as outlined. You’ll also need to provide quarterly updates to your investors.

Question 18

What happens if I don’t meet my fundraising goal?

Accepted Answer

Depending on your agreement, you may or may not retain funds. Setting a realistic goal and staying engaged with investors improves your chances of success.

Question 19

What happens if my campaign doesn’t reach its funding goal?

Accepted Answer

You may not receive any funds if your campaign doesn’t meet its goal, depending on platform policies. Set realistic goals to increase your chances of success.

Question 20

What is a Form C?

Accepted Answer

Form C is the SEC filing an issuer must prepare and file on EDGAR before accepting any investments in a Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) offering. It’s the public, baseline disclosure for the raise. Once filed, the same information must be posted on the intermediary’s (funding portal or broker-dealer’s) offering page and kept current via amendments if anything material changes (Form C/A). After a successful raise, ongoing updates happen on Form C-AR (annual report), C-TR (termination), and C-U (progress updates in limited cases).

What’s included in a Form C (contents checklist)

1) Issuer identity & background

Legal name, entity type, formation jurisdiction, principal office address, website;
Officers, directors, and key control persons (names, positions, business experience);
Beneficial ownership: principal shareholders and % ownership (pre-offering).

2) Business & plan

Plain-English description of the business, products/services, market, and strategy;
Material factors that make the offering speculative or risky (risk factors);
Company’s financial condition (“MD&A”-style discussion appropriate for small issuers): liquidity, cash runway, known trends/uncertainties.

3) Offering terms

Target offering amount, deadline, and whether oversubscriptions will be accepted (and how they’re allocated);
Minimum investment amount;
Price of the securities and the method for determining the price/valuation (e.g., priced equity, SAFE/convertible, debt);
Type and key terms of the security (rights, preferences, conversion, interest/maturity for debt);
Use of proceeds (with categories and any contingencies);
Offering caps/limits applicable under Reg CF (do not need to restate dollar thresholds; just disclose compliance).

4) Intermediary & payments

Name of the intermediary (funding portal or broker-dealer) hosting the offering;
How and when investors can cancel commitments; timing of closing(s) or rolling closes;
Where investor funds are held prior to closing (escrow/agent), and release/return conditions;
Intermediary compensation (cash and any securities) and any other offering expenses.

5) Company securities & capitalization

Capital structure before and after the offering (summary cap table);
Description of outstanding securities (common, preferred, SAFEs/convertibles, options/warrants) and rights;
Dilution discussion (how this offering could affect existing holders and future rounds).

6) Related-party & prior transactions

Material related-party transactions (officers, directors, 20% owners);
Prior exempt/public offerings in the past 3 years relevant to understanding the company’s financing history.

7) Bad-actor & compliance statements

Bad-actor disclosure confirming no disqualifying events (or describing any covered events and any waivers);
Legends and investor notices required by Reg CF (e.g., resale restrictions, investment limits apply to non-accredited investors, etc.).

8) Financial statements & footnotes

U.S. GAAP financial statements for the most recent fiscal year (and sometimes the prior year), with the level of assurance tied to the size of the raise:
Issuer-certified, CPA-reviewed, or audited;
Notes to the financials and a brief narrative of significant accounting policies;
If the financials are “stale” beyond allowed age, include interim updates.

9) Exhibits & attachments

Copies/summaries of key governing documents as needed to understand the security (e.g., form of SAFE, note, investors’ rights);
Any material contracts essential to the business that are referenced in the narrative;
Intermediary educational materials acknowledgement (investors see these on-platform; the issuer references the process).

10) If using a Crowdfunding Vehicle (CFV/SPV)

Required disclosures about the vehicle, its fees/governance, how it votes, and how it holds the issuer’s securities.

11) Signatures & acknowledgments

Authorized signatory certification that the information is true, complete, and not misleading;
Filing & maintenance (nuts and bolts);
File on EDGAR (Form C) before taking any investments; then post the same info on the offering page;
Amend if material information changes (Form C/A). Investors may need to reconfirm after material updates;
Progress/closing notices as required by rule (limited use of Form C-U);
Annual report (Form C-AR) every year after a successful raise until a termination condition is met, then Form C-TR to end reporting.

Question 21

What is crowdfunding, and how can it help my business?

Accepted Answer

Crowdfunding is a way to raise capital for your business by securing small investments from a large number of people. Through our platform, you can reach potential investors who are interested in supporting your vision and business goals. It's a way to get funding while building a community of engaged backers.

Question 22

What is REG CF?

Accepted Answer

Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) is a set of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules that permits eligible private companies to offer and sell securities to the general public online, using a single, registered intermediary (a funding portal or broker-dealer).

Key elements:

Who can raise: U.S. issuers that meet eligibility criteria. Certain companies are excluded (for example, investment companies and issuers that fail “bad actor” background checks). Issuers must use one intermediary and one online offering page per Reg CF raise.

Where it happens: All offers, sales, and investor communications that invite an investment decision must route through the intermediary’s online platform. Limited off-platform notices (“tombstones”) can direct investors to the portal but can’t include persuasive content.

How much can be raised: There is an overall cap on the aggregate amount a company can raise in Reg CF during a 12-month period (the cap is set by SEC rule and periodically adjusted). Issuers can conduct multiple closes (“rolling closes”) as commitments come in, subject to rule conditions.

Who can invest and how much: Both accredited and non-accredited investors may participate. Non-accredited investors are subject to investment limits tied to annual income and net worth; accredited investors are not subject to those Reg CF limits. Intermediaries must check investor compliance with limits.

Disclosures (Form C): Before taking investments, issuers must file and post Form C with prescribed information, including business description, use of proceeds, target amount and deadline, price/valuation method, dilution risks, ownership/related-party details, and risk factors. Financial statements are required; the level of assurance (issuer-certified, CPA review, or audit) depends on the size of the raise and is set by rule tiers that the SEC may adjust over time.

Investor education & communications: Intermediaries must provide standardized educational materials covering process, risks (including illiquidity and potential loss of entire investment), investment limits, and resale restrictions. Platforms host discussion channels where issuers can answer questions transparently; off-platform “pitches” are restricted.

Custody, payments, and escrow: Investor funds are generally held by a qualified third party (escrow/agent) until the target amount is met and closing conditions are satisfied. If the target isn’t reached by the deadline—or if an investor cancels within the permitted window—funds are returned.

Price changes, material updates, and cancellations: Issuers may update terms (e.g., price, target) and must file amendments for material changes. Investors typically receive a reconfirmation request after material updates; lack of reconfirmation results in cancellation. Investors can cancel within a specified period, and up to a cutoff shortly before closing.

Securities and resale: Common securities include equity, SAFEs/convertibles tailored for Reg CF, and debt. Reg CF securities are subject to a one-year resale restriction (with limited exceptions, such as transfers to the issuer, accredited investors, or as part of a registered offering).

Ongoing reporting: After a successful raise, issuers must file and post an annual report (Form C-AR) with updated information until they meet a rule-based termination condition (e.g., few holders of record, dissolution, or meeting other thresholds). Issuers must also file certain updates and termination notices as required.

Intermediary obligations: Funding portals and broker-dealers have distinct rule sets, but both must conduct certain checks (e.g., issuer eligibility, bad-actor disqualification), provide investor education, monitor communications channels, and implement anti-fraud measures. Portals are prohibited from giving investment advice or making recommendations, soliciting purchases, or handling customer funds/securities directly.

Additional modern features (high level): The rules permit limited “testing-the-waters” and demo-day communications under defined conditions, the use of a compliant crowdfunding vehicle (a type of SPV) in certain offerings, and inflation-based adjustments to dollar thresholds over time.

Question 23

What types of funding can I raise through your platform?

Accepted Answer

You can raise either equity-based or revenue-based funding. Equity-based crowdfunding offers investors a stake in your company, while revenue-based crowdfunding allows them to earn a percentage of your business’s revenue over time.

Equity investments give you ownership in a company, often through shares or units. If the business grows, the value of your investment could increase. However, equity investing also carries significant risks: you may have limited or no voting rights, uncertain valuations, and there may be no active market to sell your shares. You could also experience dilution if the company issues additional shares in the future.

Revenue-based investments allow you to receive payments tied to a percentage of a company’s ongoing revenue. These payments can fluctuate based on business performance and may stop entirely if revenue declines. Revenue-sharing agreements are generally subordinated to secured debt and other creditors, meaning investors are paid only after the company’s debts are satisfied.

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