Startups is pleased to announce the debut of our personal crowdfunding website for entrepreneurs.

The branded site, which is being hosted in partnership with Crowdcube, will offer Startups readers a new finance solution, through which to raise seed or growth capital.

Maintaining Crowdcube’s equity-based model, entrepreneurs will be able to find investors from a nation of ‘armchair dragons’ through the platform – simultaneously developing a community of customers and brand ambassadors for their start-up.

Readers can also invest sums from £10 upwards in other start-up businesses through the new website.

Startups’ new finance solution follows the launch of partner service Small Business Logos in November, with a range of other innovations to empower start-up businesses set to follow.

David Lester, founder of Startups’ parent company Crimson Publishing, said:

“Crowdfunding business finance is a game-changing concept that puts the power firmly into the hands of entrepreneurs looking to raise finance.

“Raising finance is the biggest barrier for many start-ups, so we’re excited that users of Startups.co.uk will be able to both access information on raising finance and have direct access to an innovative way to solve the problem from our site.”

Crowdcube is the first crowdfunding website in the world to enable the public to invest in and receive shares in UK companies, and has more than 7,600 registered members currently seeking investment opportunities. The platform has already raised more than £2m for small businesses through its principal site, and hosted the world’s first £1m crowdfunding deal in November.

A start-up itself, since launching in February 2011 Crowdcube has won a string of accolades, including its selection as one of Startups’ Top 20 start-ups of 2011.

Darren Westlake, co-founder of Crowdcube said he hoped the partnership with Startups would “increase the number of small businesses finding finance through crowdfunding.

“That’s good news for businesses, and good news for the economy too.”

If you’re thinking of raising finance through crowdfunding, visit the Startups crowdfunding site or for more information on crowdfunding, visit our crowdfunding channel