Swedish Pepins Group launches World’s first market place for crowdfunded shares.

Pepins is the first ever crowdfunding site to offer an easy way to access early liquidity in unlisted growth companies. The first company to be traded was Alvestaglass, an ice cream company that completed its round of funding at Pepins.com just six months ago. On the first day of trading Alvestaglass’ shares went up by 30 percent.

 – Finally it’s possible for investors to make an early exit from their crowdfunding investments. Pepins Market is also a great way for others who might have missed the opportunity to invest through our crowdfunding campaigns to buy into exciting growth businesses on a - still early, but - latter stage, says Victor Helbrink, Head of Trading at Pepins Group. The fact that the share price went up is obviously greatly satisfying both for us and for the company itself.

Alvestaglass was the first company to raise capital through equity crowdfunding on Pepins, and the campaign was fully subscribed. A total amount of 17 Million SEK (1.98 Million USD) was raised, distributed among more than 800 investors. This was a record breaking campaign in the Nordics and now it is also a World breaking case as it is the first privately owned, crowdfunded share to be traded a mere six months after the fund raising campaign came to a close.

– We have seen that all of our crowdfunding projects have had positive direct effects on the companies’ revenues. We think this is caused by the fact that the companies get their fans and loyal customers as shareholders and we think that for the future it is really important that you raise clever capital for your business and not just think about the capital itself, but also what active investors can do for your business, says Oscar Watz, CMO at Pepins.

– This is a great example of how companies with highly engaging products can benefit from crowdfunding, continues Oscar Watz. We have seen similar effects earlier, although this result must be quite unique. This is another great example of how crowdfunding strengthens a brand through its ambassadors and by people that believe in the company’s products, owners and ideas. Equity crowdfunding means that you not only add money and funding to a company. The greatest benefit is that you also add fans and loyal customers - the Power of Many.

About Pepins:

Pepins gives everyone the opportunity to invest into exciting growth businesses on the same terms as professional Venture Capital firms. We also give companies an efficient way to raise funds from thousands of investors, accelerate growth, engage with their community, create more jobs and make a difference. It’s simple, innovative, professional – and fun!

For more information, please contact:

Victor Hedbrink, Head of trading Pepins, victor@pepins.com

Oscar Watz, CMO Pepins, oscar@pepins.com, +46-(0)73-687 63 00www.pepins.com