Abstract: In some embodiments of the invention, a method operates an equity crowd funding system with different types of investors. The method includes registering a company with an equity crowd funding system. The method may also include registering a first investor with the equity crowd funding system. The method may also include registering a second investor with the equity crowd funding system. Each of the first and second investors is an unaccredited investor, an accredited investor, an institutional investor, a non-profit investor, or an entrepreneur. Further, the first and second investors are different types of investors. The method may also include sending offers for equity holdings in the company in exchange for funds to the first and second investors.

Abstract: In some embodiments of the invention, a method providing a private marketplace among early stage companies and investors in which dividend credits on investments are applicable to products or services offered for sale may register a plurality of companies with an equity crowd funding system. The method may also register an investor with the equity crowd funding system. The method further receives, from an investor, payment for investing in a given company in the plurality of companies. Then, the method receives, from the company, a dividend credit on the payment for the investor. The method applies the dividend credit to an account of the investor and displays to the investor offers to purchase goods or services from companies within the plurality of companies. The dividend credit is applicable to purchase prices of the goods or services.

Abstract: A method of staggering fund disbursement to a company based on the company's achievement of a milestone sends information about a company to a plurality of potential investors. The information including information about a milestone associated with a round of funding. The method also receives payment for the round of funding from at least one investor. The method further disburses a portion of the payment to the company and retains a remaining portion of the payment. Additionally, the method sends a progress report relating to the company to the at least one investor. The method then determines whether the company achieved the milestone based on votes from the at least one investor. Each of the votes corresponds to the investor's assessment of the company's progress against the milestone based on the progress report. The method disburses at least a portion of the remaining portion of the payment to the company if the company has been determined to have achieved the milestone.