Does Crowdfunding (Creatively) Disturb the Conventional (Banking) Alliances with Support Networks for Financing (Micro-)Entrepreneurs?

Abstract

Microentrepreneurs need financial capital as well as human and social capital. Banks prefer refinancing microfinance institutions and capacity building organizations rather than dealing with microentrepreneurs directly. In this chapter, we examine if the advent of crowdfunding could disturb such relations. Our research question is “what is the perception of people working in support networks on the changing of the relations between banks, support networks and crowdfunding platforms?” In this chapter, we first provide a background on entrepreneurship and coaching in France, emphasizing the role of the entrepreneurial support networks. Thereafter, we present our research methodology based on semi-structured interviews with managers in these support networks. The findings from these interviews are presented in the third section. We find that while the support networks are aware of crowdfunding initiatives, they do not think it will make a major change to the existing relations. This finding is original because most other research seems flabbergasted by the dramatic speed of development of crowdfunding sites. In the fourth section, we analyze the discourse using Nvivo software. The recommendations that emerge from this analysis point to using crowdfunding more as a tool of image building and communication.