We don't set a minimum investment level. It varies deal by deal, and is determined by the Lead Investor and the fundraising company. That said, deals that go through ​Ref CF public Crowdfunding Portals typically have a minimum of $100. Deals that are circulated to the Accredited Network usually have minimums around $5k.

First, we don't make any recommendation or give any advice on any type of investment to any potential investor. Determining if a deal is "viable" is up to each investor. That said...

ContactUnlike an incubator or a tech-focused angel group, we don't have regular meetings. Rather, we convene ad-hoc "Investor Roundtables" for Q&A with funding-ready companies. And we do the occasional Happy Hour. Want to host a FI meeting either once, or regularly? Get in touch with us, we'd love the help!

No. Never. That said, when we work with, and close deals through FINRA-registered Crowdfunding Portals, they typically do charge a success fee...

Certainly not! FI grew out of our experiences running Slow Money Austin, and we have a great debt of gratitude to the Slow Money Movement. We completely support...

No. We're walking the "bootstrap plus" talk. Since beginning in 2014 FI has been capitalized by it's three founders and owners. It is possible that future expansion...

Since the opening of public debt and equity crowdfunding portals in 2016, the dollar volume of deal flow has climbed steadily...

FINRA is the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. They are not-for-profit organizations authorized by Congress to protect America’s investors by regulating Funding Portals...

We think about business, and about fundraising, a little differently. First, we start with Mission: We start with the belief that for-profit entrepreneurialism can be a force...

As "it takes money to make money", it also takes money to raise money. Here's a list of fees you can expect to pay to others while on the fundraising journey... 

FI Funding is a discrete offering that utilizes a defined process. We've outlined the Funding Process to give companies a better idea of what to expect after submitting and application...

Yes. In addition to facilitating the general public's ability to invest through our Everyone Network, and circulating deals through our Accredited Network, ​FI does make private placement investments directly into companies for our own account.

FI has multiple revenue streams including fees to entrepreneurs for advisory services, fees to investors, consulting for government and non-profit entities with interest in foodshed ecosystem building, ...

Investors can expect market, or near-market returns. Financial returns will vary deal to deal depending on deal structure, risk, and impact.

Deals are structured in a variety of ways based on entrepreneur and investor preference. While FI educates both investors and entrepreneurs on the composition of various deal structures, the decision of how to structure an investment, and the terms of that investment, lies solely with the entrepreneur. See our Disclaimer.

No. Foodshed Investors helps companies get ready to fundraise, then facilitates transactions between investors and entrepreneurs.

That said, FI does, on occasion, make investments for its own account.

DISCLAIMER:  Local Impact Investors LLC, dba Foodshed Investor and also dba Austin Foodshed Investors, is not a venture fund, investment bank, broker dealer, investment clearing-house, investment club, or investment advisor...

As many of our clients have not raised money before, we try to be very transparent about the process, players, and especially, the fees. There are several things that are not included in our "funding readiness" advisory services, including...