The crowdfunding alternative: a comparative research on the crowdfunding market in Italy and China

Abstract

Crowdfunding as an alternative method for financing activities by raising money from the community traces way back to the 19th century but in recent years has regained popularity as the result of two important socio-cultural and economic events: the rise of the Web 2.0 Era and the financial crisis of the year 2008. A final taxonomy of the various business models adopted by crowdfunding portals was made only in 2012. The crowdfunding market is growing fast and big year-by-year nevertheless, for purposes of this thesis, it has been explored in detail the crowdfunding activity in the Italian and Chinese market and tried to underline the differences and common features in terms of its birth and its scope within these two markets. According to predictions, the Asian crowdfunding market, especially the Chinese market, will be the real global driver in the next five/ten years with over 50% of the global market share thus, the overcoming of the legislative gaps and a simplification of the bureaucratic framework on an international scale may foster a more efficient circulation of money and investments throughout the countries.