Equity Crowdfunding: Literature Analysis

This chapter is devoted to illustrate the main topics that interest scientific debate, thus defining the state of the art of equity crowdfunding in literature. To highlight the main foci, this chapter is supported by a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology. In social sciences and social studies, consolidation of methodological practices—which make the process of information acquisition and treatment of results transparent—SLR allows scholars to have a clear and homogeneous picture of the studies developed on a certain theme. The systematic literature review (SLR), therefore, allows acquiring holistic knowledge of the object of research thanks to the critical analysis of the scientific contributions produced in a given period. In the preliminary research stages, it aims to define the rules to be followed (protocols) so that the researcher’s subjective critical approach is minimized. Protocols are the set of rules established to conduct the individual review phases. This peculiarity implies that the each interested party can repeat the research conducted and, therefore, it is verifiable. Particularly, in this chapter, five main foci are analyzed: Company and Entrepreneurs; Investors; Platforms; Campaigns’ Output; Framework, Market, and Regulations.