German fintech startup Neufund today launched its equity-linked tokenized public offering platform after gaining regulatory clearance to do so from Liechtenstein.

Founded in 2016, Neufund has built a blockchain-based platform that allows companies to raises funds through equity-linked token issues. Equity token raises involve a company offering tokens or coins linked to equity in the company, in contrast to a traditional initial coin offering that, legally in the U.S. at least, is not meant to be linked to equity unless registered as a traditional security.

Neufund’s platform received its clearance from the Financial Monetary Authority in Liechtenstein and allows it to host public offerings with a minimum investment of just €10 ($11). The low buy-in opens up the platform to small investors worldwide, with one exception: U.S.-based investors must be accredited investors to participate in any offering on the platform, Coindesk reported today.

The company is pitching its platform as a way for companies to raise funds at lower costs than a traditional initial public offering and faster than raising venture capital. Notably, companies can start raising funds on the Neufund’s platform within days after going through Know Your Customer vetting and approval.

The first company to raise money on the platform is Greyp Bikes d.o.o., a Croatian electric bike maker that includes among its existing investors Porsche, Camelgroup srl and T-Mobile. The company is a sister company of electric car maker Rimac Automobili.

Companies looking to raise money on the platform can be incorporated from most countries around the world with Neufund saying it is already working on future offerings with companies based in India, Croatia, Germany and Belgium.

“Today, Neufund delivers on its promise to democratize access to funding for entrepreneurs globally and enable anyone to access most innovative investment opportunities with ease, in a compliant and secure environment,” Zoe Adamovicz, co-founder and chief executive officer of Neufund, said in a statement.  “It’s a big day – not just for Neufund but business and finance communities at large.”

Neufund has raised €16m ($17.62 million) to date through a mix of initial coin offerings and traditional venture capital. Investors include Atlantic Labs, Freigesit Capital and more than 5,000 individual investors.

Image: Neufund