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Dynamics of investor communication in equity crowdfunding

Author

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  • Gregor Dorfleitner

    (University of Regensburg)

  • Lars Hornuf

    (University of Bremen, Faculty of Business Studies and Economics
    Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition
    CESifo)

  • Martina Weber

    (University of Regensburg)

Abstract

In crowdfunding, start-ups can voluntarily communicate with their investors by posting updates. We investigate whether start-ups strategically use updates, which have previously been shown to increase investments. To this end, we use hand-collected data from 751 updates and 39,036 investment decisions from two major German equity crowdfunding portals: Seedmatch and Companisto. We find evidence of strategic communication behavior of start-ups during an equity crowdfunding campaign. During the funding period, start-ups more frequently post updates with linguistic devices that enhance the group identity and the group cohesion as well as updates on the business development. Furthermore, the probability of an update during the funding period increases along with strong competition of other contemporary crowdfunding campaigns.

Suggested Citation

  • Gregor Dorfleitner & Lars Hornuf & Martina Weber, 2018. "Dynamics of investor communication in equity crowdfunding," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 28(4), pages 523-540, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:elmark:v:28:y:2018:i:4:d:10.1007_s12525-018-0294-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s12525-018-0294-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Rainer Alt, 2018. "Electronic Markets on digitalization," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 28(4), pages 397-402, November.
    3. Simon Albrecht & Bernhard Lutz & Dirk Neumann, 2020. "The behavior of blockchain ventures on Twitter as a determinant for funding success," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 30(2), pages 241-257, June.
    4. Kazem Mochkabadi & Christine K. Volkmann, 2020. "Equity crowdfunding: a systematic review of the literature," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 54(1), pages 75-118, January.
    5. Helen Bollaert & Gaël Leboeuf & Armin Schwienbacher, 2020. "The narcissism of crowdfunding entrepreneurs," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 55(1), pages 57-76, June.
    6. Ciro Troise & Enrico Battisti & Michael Christofi & Nina Jorien Vulpen & Shlomo Tarba, 2023. "How Can SMEs Use Crowdfunding Platforms to Internationalize? The Role of Equity and Reward Crowdfunding," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 63(1), pages 117-159, February.
    7. Cai, Wanxiang & Polzin, Friedemann & Stam, Erik, 2021. "Crowdfunding and social capital: A systematic review using a dynamic perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    8. Felix Reichenbach & Martin Walther, 2021. "Signals in equity-based crowdfunding and risk of failure," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 7(1), pages 1-30, December.
    9. Huiling Zhang & Yaokuang Li & Juan Wu & Li Ling, 2022. "How do the network structures of lead investors affect the following of distant strangers? Evidence from Chinese equity crowdfunding," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(8), pages 3516-3533, December.
    10. Jung, Eunjun & Lee, Changjun & Hwang, Junseok, 2022. "Effective strategies to attract crowdfunding investment based on the novelty of business ideas," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    11. Derek Eldridge & Tahir M. Nisar & Mariateresa Torchia, 2021. "What impact does equity crowdfunding have on SME innovation and growth? An empirical study," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 56(1), pages 105-120, January.
    12. Hornuf, Lars & Schilling, Tobias & Schwienbacher, Armin, 2022. "The relevance of investor rights in crowdinvesting," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    13. Lars Hornuf & Tobias Schilling & Armin Schwienbacher, 2019. "Are Equity Crowdfunding Investors Active Investors?," CESifo Working Paper Series 7884, CESifo.
    14. Rainer Alt, 2020. "Electronic Markets on sustainability," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 30(4), pages 667-674, December.
    15. Foster, Joshua, 2019. "Thank you for being a friend: The roles of strong and weak social network ties in attracting backers to crowdfunded campaigns," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Crowdfunding; Investor communication; Entrepreneurial finance; Sentiment analysis; Linguistic devices;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G24 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Investment Banking; Venture Capital; Brokerage
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship

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