Crowdfunding platforms provide much-needed, new forms of financing for startups, SMEs, individual consumers, charities, social enterprises and various community-based projects. There is a great deal of potential for these new forms of finance to provide access to funding, and thereby promote economic development and financial inclusion in developing, emerging and developed countries alike. Underdeveloped capital or credit markets are typical characteristics of emerging or developing countries. This is particularly relevant to small businesses or individual retail clients who lack access to finance. Therefore, where traditional accesses to finance do not exist, new and innovative financial channels, such as crowdfunding platforms help turn great ideas into reality.