Learn about the functionality of FAME, the inspiration behind its launch, and its mission in popularizing the investing landscape.
FAME — Financial Assets Mobilizing Everybody — is a SEC Regulation CF crowdfunding marketplace that connects everyday investors with growing businesses seeking capital. We believe that local establishments make an immense impact on the economy, and that investors should be enabled in helping their communities grow.
Where it started
For so long, the investing world has primarily allocated its attention toward large-scale companies, public corporations, and enterprises listed on an open stock exchange. While many of these enormous companies contribute to the overall U.S. economy in unprecedented ways, beneath the massive impact of it all lies an engine of economic growth that makes significant contributions of its own: the local economy.
This initiative started on the basis of shifting the investing world to become widely accessible for everybody, no matter the income or background. That applies to both worlds — owners of growing to mid-size businesses seeking a chance to show what they have in-store (no pun intended), and experienced or inexperienced investors looking to invest in their own region or locality.
43%
of the nation's GDP comes from the small-business sector, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy. That's an awfully big number, and it's one with substantial untapped potential.
The local economy is truly the backbone of the U.S. economy, and FAME Investing believes it deserves a shot at reaping the value it has the capability of bringing forward. Simultaneously, everyday investors have the opportunity to take on a realm of investing that can bring back the returns they look for — and potentially strengthen their own communities, or those of similar values.
Through the action of creating a hub for these investments to actually occur, wealth movement becomes a lot more streamlined and easier for a wide variety of communities that look to revitalize, restructure, or repurpose their very own businesses. With a more abundant space of discoverable businesses with campaign raises underway, growing businesses can find a place to receive investments from those who believe in them — and investor returns can be realized through the very businesses they also have faith in.
How it actually works
A growing business comes to FAME with a plan and a number. We review it, and if it holds up, that raise goes live for everybody to see. From there it's simple: people who believe in the business put money behind it, the business gets the capital it needs without giving up a piece of itself, and investors get paid back on terms the business set out in the open from day one. Nobody signs away ownership, and nobody invests blind.
Fixed monthly payments of principal and interest over the loan term — all under a fully amortized schedule. Predictable, scheduled, and finished at maturity.
Receive a percentage of the business's monthly revenue until you reach your return cap. Payments flex with performance — you grow when they grow.
Every business sets its own terms. The interest rate, the revenue-share percentage, the return cap, the length — all of it is chosen by the business raising, not by FAME. Any figures you see quoted as a range (e.g. 6–12% APR) are examples of what commonly appears on the platform, not a rate FAME sets or guarantees. Each raise lists its own numbers, and you review them before you put a dollar in.
Businesses connect their financial accounts so you can see real revenue and performance data before committing.
We focus on businesses with operating history — not day-one startups. Proven track records reduce your risk.
These businesses are local. They have reputations to uphold and communities that rely on them.
Every campaign clearly states the investment type, interest rate or revenue share %, term length, and funding goal.
Why it matters
FAME Investing devotes each and every day toward paving a better future for its users — whether that's an investor or a business enrollee using the platform. Through the power of crowdfunding, we believe that a large network of investors can truly make the difference for businesses to reach their dreams, goals, and aspirations, and touch a ceiling that once looked far more unreachable than ever.
The growing business has been underappreciated and overlooked in terms of what value it can really bring, and as a result, major wealth has been heavily concentrated in the stock and bond markets where traditional investments rest. We believe that the hub created by FAME Investing can help widen the possibilities for investment allocation toward growing businesses, diversify asset portfolios, and continue to empower and strengthen local businesses as well as the everyday investor.
It's time we expand the investing world into a sector with so much more to offer, and invest in the very subeconomy that continues to hold an entire economy together.
Exactly how FAME makes money — shown upfront on every transaction, with no hidden fees. Ever.
2.5%
Investors pay per investment
Added at checkout, itemized before you pay. Deposits, browsing, and holding are always free — and repayments reach you with no servicing cut.
Free
Businesses list for free
No upfront cost to sign up or launch — background screening and our review are on us. You only pay a success fee if your raise succeeds.
7.4%
Only if the raise succeeds
Taken from the total raised at close. No success, no fee — and nothing else, ever.
Full details and worked examples on the pricing page.
Running a business?
Everything above is what investors see. The other side is a business owner raising growth capital from the people who already walk through their door — no equity given up, no board seats, no bank. Listing is free, and you pay nothing unless your raise succeeds.
See how raising on FAME worksAll investments carry risk, including the loss of principal. Growing-business investments are illiquid — you cannot easily sell your position. Only invest money you can afford to have tied up for the duration of the investment term. Diversification across multiple campaigns is strongly recommended.
Our Learning Center has full guides on debt notes and revenue sharing, a returns calculator, real case studies, and investor risk disclosures.