It grows at an average rate of 200%. L'Italian equity crowdfunding is now in the European average. After the good results of 2018, energy, the environment and the local area will make it even better. Last year, 300 million euros were raised in Europe with this system. Money found on digital platforms for the benefit of healthy industrial operations and economically sustainable actions.
International observers are studying the rapid pace of Italy which in a few days will be able to boast the first integrated equity crowdfunding platform. It is dedicated precisely to energy, the environment and local realities. Is called ecomile and on April 10 it will be presented in Milan. An organization dedicated to sustainable projects and investments. But also a community and a network open to investors, companies, institutions and associations. Sustainability is the cornerstone on which this structure was built, which has Banca Etica and Società Welfare Efficiency Piemonte as partners.
Will the Italians be there? In Milan, the task of captivating investors and leading them on the road to online fundraising is entrusted to Chiara Candelise, author of a European study on energy crowdfunding and to Fabio Malanchini, sustainable finance expert. But next to sustainability, the other magic word of the Italian new is disintermediation. Concentrate on operations to collect even small sums for the benefit of projects, companies and start-ups. Research in recent years has produced trust especially in the younger age groups. Being and feeling something more than simple "safes" of ecological, sustainable initiatives. The sense and dimension of protectors of the environment united with the fate of the business.
Ecomil will be presented as a vertical platform, specialized with a lot of attention to innovation. In short, on the Italian scene, a new subject with all the risks associated with collecting money. Value creation will be the main challenge, where project promoters have access to capital. The territories are the partner - for now unknown - of the platform. That pillar to be raised to increase the visibility of the things on which money is put.
The partners. Welfare Efficiency Piemonte is a Chieri-based company that is an expert in energy requalification with experience in multifunctional medical activity. Banca Etica, on the other hand, has a respectable pedigree. Credit institution specialized in ethical and alternative finance, already present in the green economy. The Bank will offer its services to Ecomil and issue its endorsement to the projects that will take shape.
Energy crowdfunding is an interesting application of a tool that has raised over 300 million euros in Europe – comments Chiara Candelise. In Ecomill we see the concrete possibility of increasing the use of this tool. We think there's a lot of room for a platform like this. Investments that can generate attractive returns, given the risk profile and at the same time contribute to the energy transition and environmental protection, adds Fabio Malanchini.
Technically, crowdfunding requires taxpayers to fully participate in the fate of the company, in its management and in its financial affairs. In Italy, on average, the share subscribed by customers is 15%. On the other hand, only since 2018 has Consob authorized SMEs to collect economic resources online. Consob supervises and the guarantees linked to these controls are the hidden value of environmental operational plans conceived by medium and small companies. Finally, the success of the formula in Italy must also be judged by the tax breaks currently available 40 percent.
