First Crowdfunding Survey of Healthcare Startups Shows Overwhelming Support

June 11, 2012 - PRLog -- Results of a new survey created on behalf of mHealthcon and Health 2.0 NYC reveals strong support for crowd funding from digital healthcare startups.  The survey polled 200 recent attendees of the May 24th Healthcare Kickstarters held at Fordham University in New York City.

According to survey results, 43% of healthcare startups are either '”definitely” or “probably” planning to pursue crowd funding for their companies. Of those with plans to pursue crowd funding, 44% will launch crowd funding in the next six months and an additional 19% in the next 12 months. 13% report they are already running a crowd funding campaign.

The opportunity for fundraising through crowd funding is the result of the recent passage by Congress of the JOBS Bill which allows companies to raise up to $1 million without the previous restrictions imposed on fundraising. The SEC is expected to clarify regulations concerning crowd funding by July of this year.

Said Brad Weinberg Co-founder of Blueprint Health, "Crowd funding democratizes the fundraising process by enabling the middle class to participate in the funding of innovative companies” Tom Olenzak of Robin Hood Ventures said, "This is a valuable part of part of a larger trend toward transparency in financial transactions. Crowdfunding makes great sense as a new avenue to help startups get the initial funding they often need.”

Said Steven Greene, CEO of Sperlingreene Marketing and an mHealthcon partner, “The survey proves there healthcare startup community is eager to leverage for the advantages that only crowd funding can offer. We see companies ramping up and crowd funding providers jumping into this is an exciting game changing market."

The survey by marketing firm Sperlingreene was announced this week on the mHealthZone radio program.

1.    Does your healthcare startup plan to pursue crowdfunding?
      
   Definitely 13%   
   Probably 30%   
   On the fence 48%   
   No way 9%
         
2.   If so, when do you plan to start?
      
   Already have 13%
   Next 6 months 44%   
   Next 12 months 19%   
   Have no plans to go after crowdfunding 24%   
         
3.   Is crowdfunding a smart way for healthcare startups to attract funding?   
   Brilliant 22%   
   Good idea 54%   
   Dumb idea 8%   
   Not sure  16%