The founders of Malartu Funds, who want to bring more investors and thus more capital to Triangle startups, won’t wait for crowdfunding legislation to pass in the North Carolina General Assembly. They are launching with a focus on accredited investors now and will bring in crowdfunding later.

First, here’s the important disclaimer on Malartu’s website regarding accredited investors (i.e. high net-worth individuals) and crowdfunding which would be open to the rest of us:

“Due to current securities regulation, investments listed on Malartu are only available to Accredited Investors. Investing in startups carries a high degree of risk. In general, financial and operating risks confronting both early and developmental-stage companies, as well as more mature expansion-stage companies are significant. Many emerging growth companies go out of businesses every year. It is difficult to know how companies will grow, if at all, or what changes may occur in the market. A loss of an investor’s entire investment is possible and no profit may be realized. Investors are responsible for conducting their own due diligence.”

As our state’s legislators continue to drag their feet on the so-called NC PACES bill that has big bipartisan support and is wanted by Gov. Pat McCrory, Malartu co-founder Jon Spinney on Tuesday spelled out his plans in a Q&A with The Skinny.

  • So tell me what are your plans?

Currently we are taking Malartu Funds to market, offering the ability to host equity and convertible debt offerings to the startup community. We are excited to be onboarding several exciting opportunities to investors. We plan to focus on activating accredited investors in the Southeast, who are under represented in the equity crowdfunding industry.

A major area of interest to us is the hosting of multi-company funds, such as our recent partnership with QC Fintech/RevTech Labs (an accelerator based in Packard Place in Charlotte NC).

These funds are unique in that they offer investors’ the opportunity to instantly diversify among different companies with only a few clicks. In this case, many investors are intrigued by the idea of “giving back” to their community while making a diversified investment in highly vetted companies.

  • Why not wait? Why now?

We believe that there is an opportunity to activate accredited investors who are not currently investing in these types of private offerings. By launching the platform now, we will be able to begin laying the foundation for a community of activated investors.

Education is a big piece to the crowdfunding puzzle, and we are starting our education with accredited investors. Once we have legislation allowing intrastate (NC) crowdfunding, we will amplify our existing efforts to begin educating all interested parties.

  • What happens if G.A. doesn’t act in near future? One can’t assume politicians will follow any schedule.

Malartu will continue to focus on activating accredited investors by providing an infrastructure to participate in private offerings. We remain hopeful, however, that the General Assembly will realize the importance of this legislation.

There are currently around 40 states with legislation either passed or in session allowing crowdfunding within their state lines. We believe NC is perfectly positioned to take full advantage of a truly bipartisan bill, and one that will not cost the taxpayer a dime.

  • What’s your “play” as a company and what’s the opportunity?

Malartu offers investors access to investments they didn’t have access to before. In many cases, accredited individuals are interested in getting involved with private offerings but lack the connections and time to get started. Our fund structure is well suited for the marketplace, allowing investors to syndicate, instantly diversify, and investment smaller amounts than otherwise available.

That allows potential investors unfamiliar with the process of private investing to get involved in private offerings.

We encourage investors that are interested in learning more to sign up at www.malartufunds.us

  • Why do you believe there is a market for your services?

For an area to become a truly innovative hub it needs smart people and it needs money. NC is a perfect example of an emerging hub because we have a high concentration of smart individuals and we have money, but the money isn’t quite flowing like it is in the West.

Malartu and other funding platforms provide a more efficient infrastructure for money to be invested in these folks, especially at a seed-stage. NC is a perfect case study, but not the only area where there’s need for an efficient financial infrastructure.

You can see it nationally with the explosion of the crowdfunding industry. Malartu is a product of the entrepreneurial culture right here in NC. There’s an obvious demand and we’re doing our part to bring the solution to the Southeast, starting with our home.