European Crowdfunding Network
Since 2013, we have supported the development of crowdfunding markets in Europe at large. Our brand EUROCROWD, via the European Crowdfunding Network AISBL (ECN), has contributed and is contributing independent expertise to the alignment of national and EU regulatory frameworks affecting crowdfunding, including work related to the Prospectus regime, the ECSPR, and MiCA, as well as to the emergence of new policy-enabled practices such as match-funding.
ECN exists to provide a framework for potential future policy, research, or networking work, ensuring legal independence from commercial activities.
A Network Without Members – By Design
The European Crowdfunding Network AISBL (ECN) is not a trade association, lobby group, or representative body for crowdfunding platforms or industry interests. For this reason, we do not operate a traditional membership model and do not showcase or promote members on this website. This is a deliberate governance and competition-law choice.
What ECN Does – and Does Not Do
We exists to:
- contribute independent, evidence-based expertise to public policy and regulatory discussions;
- support fair, competitive, and well-functioning crowdfunding markets;
- facilitate policy dialogue, research, and knowledge exchange across the ecosystem.
We do not:
- represent platforms or market participants;
- speak on behalf of the crowdfunding industry;
- aggregate commercial positions or advocate for specific business interests;
- act as a collective voice in the market.
Participation Without Representation
Engagement with ECN is based on expertise and contribution, not representation. Participants may include policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and market actors acting in an individual or expert capacity. Participation does not imply endorsement, affiliation, voting power, or influence over policy positions. The association’s governance is designed to prevent dominance by any single actor or commercial interest and to safeguard neutrality and analytical integrity.
Transparency and Organisational Separation
EUROCROWD BV, which provides consulting, training, project delivery, and event organisation has been contracted to manage the communications of ECN. ECN does not provide commercial services and does not act on behalf of clients or market participants.
If You Are Looking for Representation
If you are seeking:
- a trade association,
- industry lobbying,
- collective advocacy for platforms,
the ECN is not designed for that purpose.
If you are interested in independent policy dialogue, research, market literacy, and capacity building, this is the intended role of the association.
Independence and Competition Safeguards
The European Crowdfunding Network AISBL is governed by an executive board elected by its full members, who act in an individual and non-representative capacity. The association does not include active operational roles from crowdfunding platforms or industry players. Its governance structure is designed to prevent dominance by any single market actor or commercial interest. ECN seeks better market conditions irrespective of the views or interests of individual platforms or groups thereof and does not permit anti-competitive conduct in connection with its name, activities, or outputs.
Mission, Vision, Purpose
- Mission – To help promote and advance crowdfunding as a key enabler of inclusive, transparent, and sustainable access to finance for innovation, entrepreneurship, and social good across Europe.
- Vision – A Europe where crowdfunding serves as a cornerstone of alternative finance, empowering startups, SMEs, and social projects while contributing to economic, social, and environmental progress.
- Purpose – To support the development of European policy and regulatory frameworks affecting crowdfunding by shaping informed debate, building capacity, and fostering knowledge exchange among stakeholders to strengthen the sector’s role in sustainable growth and innovation.
Board of Directors
The European Crowdfunding Network AISBL is directed by an administrative and executive board, which holds overall strategic and administrative authority, represents the organisation before public and private authorities, and ensures that its objectives are pursued in a prudent and independent manner. Board appointments and mandates are published in accordance with Belgian association law via the Moniteur Belge.
Current Board Members
- Oliver Gajda — Chairman and Executive Director
- Lawrence Claes — Treasurer
- Megan Blair — Secretary
Legal & Governance Note
The European Crowdfunding Network AISBL is an independent, non-profit association established under Belgian law. It does not operate as a trade association, industry body, or representative organisation. Participation in its activities does not imply membership in a representative sense, endorsement, affiliation, or influence over policy positions.
The association does not provide commercial services and does not act on behalf of clients, platforms, or market participants. All commercial and service-related activities or our brand EUROCROWD are carried out separately by EUROCROWD BV since 2024.
Any references to crowdfunding service providers, market actors, or regulatory frameworks are made strictly for informational, analytical, or policy-related purposes and do not imply representation, advocacy of commercial interests, or coordinated market behaviour.