BINGHAMTON, NY – The SUNY Business and Education Cooperative of the Southern Tier (SUNY BEST) will host a presentation, titled “Prepare for a Capital Raise: Crowdfunding,” at 8 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 2 in room LN 1324C of the Continuing Education and Outreach Department on the Binghamton University campus. This presentation is free and open to the public.

The term “crowdfunding” has, in recent months, made headlines and resulted in pre-sale, gift and debt financing of countless projects and causes internationally. In January 2013, under the new JOBS Act, a new type of crowdfunding will arise: equity crowdfunding, which up until this point has been illegal under federal and state securities laws.

Douglas J. Gorman, a New York and Delaware business attorney who specializes in corporate matters, emerging business, venture capital and commercial law will present an overview on what equity crowdfunding is, what it is not, and how it fits into the current securities laws. Business owners considering equity crowdfunding will also learn its risks, how they balance with the potential rewards and how to mitigate them.

Gorman represents businesses, large and small, on a wide range of matters including start-up and choice of entity issues, domestic and international commercial contracting, private finance, shareholder relations and disputes, corporate governance and corporate transactions of all types.

Pre-registration is required at http://ceo.binghamton.edu/bande/. For  additional information, e-mail dhulbert@binghamton.edu. Directional signage will be visible for those entering the main entrance of the campus from the Vestal Parkway. Parking is available at the visitors’ paid lot, across from Bartle Library and in the parking garage behind the Couper Administration building.

This meeting is hosted by SUNY BEST and cosponsored by the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, Southern Tier Opportunity Coalition and Broome Community College.

SUNY BEST is a volunteer group comprised of senior staff members from key economic and educational institutions in the Southern Tier. The group works to forge strong alliances, strengthen industry specific needs and provide information and outreach for business.