This open access book presents a comprehensive and up-to-date collection of knowledge on the state of crowdfunding research and practice. A vital resource for anyone researching crowdfunding, this book offers readers a deep understanding of the characteristics, business models, user-relations, and behavioural patterns of crowdfunding.

1. Introduction: From Fundamentals to Advances in Crowdfunding Research and Practice.- 2. Crowdfunding Models, Strategies, and Choices Between Them.- 3. The Global Status of the Crowdfunding Industry.- 4. Lending Crowdfunding: Principles and Market Development.- 5. Equity Crowdfunding: Principles and Investor Behaviour.- 6. Reward-based Crowdfunding Research and Practice.- 7. Donation Crowdfunding: Principles and Donor Behaviour.- 8. Ethical Considerations in Crowdfunding.- 9. Legal Institutions, Social Capital, and Financial Crowdfunding: A Multilevel Perspective.- 10. History of Crowdfunding in the Context of Ever-Changing Modern Financial Markets.- 11. The Fintech Industry: Crowdfunding in Context.- 12. Crowdfunding in China: Turmoil of Global Leadership.- 13. Crowdfunding Prospects in New Emerging Markets: The Cases of India and Bangladesh.- 14. Crowdfunding in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges.- 15. Israeli Crowdfunding: A Reflection of its Entrepreneurial Culture.- 16. Crowdfunding in Europe: Between Fragmentation and Harmonisation.- 17. Crowdfunding Sustainability.- 18. Crowdfunding in the Cultural Industries.- 19. Civic Crowdfunding: Four perspectives on the definition of civic crowdfunding.- 20. Crowdfunding Education: Objectives, Content, Pedagogy, and Assessment.- 21. The Future of Crowdfunding Research and Practice.

This open access book presents a comprehensive and up-to-date collection of knowledge on the state of crowdfunding research and practice. It considers crowdfunding models and their different manifestations across a variety of geographies and sectors, and explores the perspectives of fundraisers, backers, platforms, and regulators. Gathering insights from a wide range of influential researchers in the field, the book balances concepts, theory, and case studies. Going beyond previous research on crowdfunding, the contributors also investigate issues of community, sustainability, education, and ethics. A vital resource for anyone researching crowdfunding, this book offers readers a deep understanding of the characteristics, business models, user-relations, and behavioural patterns of crowdfunding.

Covers the application of crowdfunding models in different geographical contexts, including North America, India and Bangladesh, Israel, Europe, China and Africa Suggest and present new emerging research themes in crowdfunding and their importance for the development for the field and the industry it studies Provide an academically anchored textbook for inspiration and reference for multiple stakeholders

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