SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Grow America, Inc. (www.growam.com), a national company with a mission to support, encourage and strengthen entrepreneurs in local economies, today announced the appointment of two of its leaders, Berkeley Geddes, CEO of Grow America Insight, and Richard Swart, Director of Strategic Programs, to key roles in the professional and regulatory associations focused on facilitating a vibrant, credible and growing global crowdfunding community.
Berkeley Geddes has been elected chair of the Crowdfunding Professional Association (CfPA) Executive Committee and Governance Board, which represents the voice of the crowdfunding industry and will provide advocacy, research and education for investors and entrepreneurs. Grow America’s Richard Swart has been named to the organizing committee of CfPA and also will serve as a member of the Crowdfund Intermediary Regulatory Advocates (CfIRA) leadership group, which is focused exclusively on channeling industry expertise to support the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and other affected governmental and quasi-governmental entities, including state regulators, in the establishment of crowdfunding regulation, standards and best practices.
CfPA will bring education and resources to entrepreneurs interested in using crowdfunding to grow their businesses when equity-based crowdfunding becomes legal in 2013 as a result of the recently signed Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act.
Grow America is provider of the Grow America Springboard™ program launched by Founder Alan E. Hall with the help of regional Utah partners. Springboard is providing $1,000,000 in cash awards and resources over the course of three Utah events in 2012 and a state championship in January 2013.
“The issue of crowdfunding is essential as it pertains to the creation of early-stage ventures,” said Hall. “We welcome this exciting development, but we also see the need to be actively involved in ensuring the new funding mechanisms operate properly and safely for all involved.”
About Grow America
Grow America aligns the partners, mentors and capital that entrepreneurs need to create and grow tomorrow’s successful companies. As an organization, Grow America has five components: competitions, e-commerce tools, curriculum and educational tools, community support, and charitable giving. For additional resources, connect to @GrowAmerica and @AskAlanEHall.