The geography of crowdfunding
By: Ajay K. Agrawal, Christian Catalini, Avi Goldfarb
Contributors: Catalini, Christian; Goldfarb, Avi; National Bureau of Economic Research
Series: NBER working paper series -- working paper 16820; Working paper series (National Bureau of Economic Research : Online) -- working paper no. 16820.
Publisher: National Bureau of Economic Research
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Cambridge, MA
Language: eng
Format: Electronic resource
Description: "Perhaps the most striking feature of "crowdfunding" is the broad geographic dispersion of investors in small, early-stage projects.  This contrasts with existing theories that predict entrepreneurs and investors will be co-located due to distance-sensitive costs.  We examine a crowdfunding setting that connects artist-entrepreneurs with investors over the internet for financing musical projects.  The average distance between artists and investors is about 3,000 miles, suggesting a reduced role for spatial proximity.  Still, distance does play a role.  Within a single round of financing, local investors invest relatively early, and they appear less responsive to decisions by other investors.  We show this geography effect is driven by investors who likely have a personal connection with the artist-entrepreneur ("family and friends").  Although the online platform seems to eliminate most distance-related economic frictions such as monitoring progress, providing input, and gathering information, it does not eliminate social-related frictions"--National Bureau of Economic Research web site.
Notes: Title from PDF file as viewed on 5/19/2011.

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