Inside the Crowdfunding Engine Room: What We Learned at the EuroCrowd Conference
On October 24-25, 2019, LenderKit joined the European Crowdfunding Network (ECN) conference — an event that brought together platforms, regulators, legal experts and institutions at the heart of shaping crowdfunding in Europe. While it wasn’t a massive expo with thousands of attendees, it was something far more valuable: a focused, candid and high-level look into the challenges, trends and transformations defining the European crowdfunding space.
Here’s what we discovered, why it still matters today and what it could mean for platforms navigating post-regulation Europe.
What you will learn in this post:
Why the ECN Conference Matters
The European Crowdfunding Network (ECN) isn’t just another association. It’s a proactive think tank that advocates for standardization, transparency, and harmonized regulation across the EU crowdfunding market. In 2019, ECN’s attention was centered on a crucial topic: the Capital Markets Union and the evolving regulatory framework for European Crowdfunding Service Providers (ECSPs).
For any crowdfunding platform aiming to expand cross-border, work with institutional investors, or eventually partner with banks or funds — this was ground zero.
The Atmosphere: Compact, But Concentrated
The event spanned almost two days and gathered roughly 100 participants (despite 140 announced). Attendees represented the ecosystem from Belgium, Germany, Italy, Finland and France, primarily:
- Crowdfunding platforms
- Legal experts and regulatory bodies
- Academics and researchers
- A few independent tech providers
The size worked in our favor: fewer people meant more meaningful conversations.
Industry Insight #1: A Unified Regulatory Landscape Was (and Is) Coming
At the time, the ECSP regulation was still in “trialogue” — an EU negotiation phase between Parliament, Council, and Commission. The lack of harmonization made cross-border investing nearly impossible, with platforms navigating a legal maze based on each country’s rules.
However, the optimism was palpable. With standardization on the horizon, platforms were already eyeing expansion strategies and preparing for pan-European operations.
Why it matters now:
Today, with the ECSP regulation live, those who began their digital transformation early are better positioned to scale, partner with banks, and attract foreign investors. If you’re just starting to adapt, you’re already playing catch-up.
Industry Insight #2: Institutional Funds Are Entering the Scene
Crowdfunding is no longer just about helping small startups raise their first round. Public and private funds are beginning to co-invest on platforms, especially in verticals like green energy and infrastructure.
Examples discussed at the conference:
- Government grants routed through crowdfunding platforms
- Institutional investors participating as anchor funders
- Strategic partnerships with national innovation funds
What it means for platform operators:
This evolution presents a massive opportunity, but it demands robust infrastructure. A platform built to handle small-ticket retail investors may not be equipped to handle institutional onboarding, reporting standards and co-investment flows, unless it’s designed with flexibility in mind.
Industry Insight #3: Open Banking & Bank Partnerships
One of the standout cases was BacktoWork24’s integration with Intesa Sanpaolo, a major Italian bank. Instead of turning away SME loan applicants, the bank redirected them to an equity crowdfunding platform as an alternative funding option.
A brilliant move, and a clear opportunity.
Industry Insight #4: Blockchain Hype vs. Helpfulness
The blockchain conversation was, unsurprisingly, polarizing:
- Some platforms used it as a buzzword.
- Others fully embraced it as the future of transparency and decentralization.
- The most grounded opinion: users don’t care about the tech, they care about the outcome.
Does blockchain improve UX? Does it reduce friction in onboarding, investment, or exit? If yes, then it matters. If not — it’s noise.
Our Takeaways for LenderKit: Then and Now
The 2019 ECN conference gave us clarity that still guides our roadmap today:
- Platforms crave flexibility and autonomy. Cookie-cutter solutions won’t cut it in a regulatory, investor-driven, and technically evolving landscape.
- Partnership models (not just software sales) open new doors. From installment plans to rev-share agreements, funding shouldn’t be a blocker.
- White-label banking connectors and multi-country integrations will soon be mandatory, not “nice to have.”
- And finally, crowdfunding is maturing by moving from startup territory into institutional-grade infrastructure.
Final Thoughts
Attending the EuroCrowd conference wasn’t just about networking or listening to panels. It was about getting ahead of the curve. The seeds planted in 2019 such as regulatory changes, institutional partnerships and open banking — have started to bear fruit today.
For platforms still navigating legacy software, waiting for “the right time” to upgrade, or unsure how to adapt to ECSP regulations: the window is open.
Let’s build what’s next — together.
