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Have you got a good idea you could turn into a business? Not much cash to get off the ground? In many countries that's when people turn to crowdfunding. This is a method of raising finance online by asking a large number of people each to chip in.

This is becoming increasingly popular with entrepreneurs and the public. In Scotland, for example, crowdfunding has helped a wide range of businesses.

Simon Collier, a trained cocktail 1 bartender, generated ￡20,000 to help him buy a pub in Thurso. Family, local people and businesses were among those who gave him money.

The initial process was tough, but once he had made a pitch, the venture generated great interest. Mr Collier said: "We first opened with a couple of tables and chairs. That was pretty much all we had." Now he has added designer stools, a pool table and a wall-mounted flat screen TV.

According to the UK Crowd Funding Association, the world's first online crowdfunded project was believed to have involved British rock band Marillion. In 1997, the group was struggling to afford a US tour and asked fans to help pay for it.

Now, the process involves thousands of groups and individuals and millions of pounds. In a new report, the Crowdfunding Centre has quoted statistics that suggest a new project is created somewhere in the world every three minutes.

One of these is the musical The Pajama Game, which opened in London's West End after having raised more than ￡200,000 through a crowdfunding scheme. It allowed people to invest anything from ￡10 to ￡25,000.

But theatre industry expert Terri Paddock points out crowdfunding doesn't always work. "It's the same type of risk that any producer has when putting together the project to begin with," she says. "Never forget that only three in ten shows recoup on average."

Crowdfunding might be something new but old-school business rules apply. A good idea has to go hand in hand with a sound business plan and reputable investors 2 or you might find yourself going back to the drawing board.

Quiz 测验

1. Which people do we know gave Simon Collier money to buy the pub?

His family, local people and other businesses.

2. What did Mr Collier do to make people interested in his business idea?

He made a pitch online.

3. What did a British rock band ask their fans to do?

Give them money to help fund their US tour.

4. True or false: Shows that use crowdfunding are always successful. Crowdfunding offers little risk because everybody chips in.

False. Crowdfunding doesn't always work.

5. Which expression means something is related to something else?

Go hand in hand.

Glossary 词汇表

get off the ground （项目）起步、开始

crowdfunding （金融）众筹

to chip in 出钱

an entrepreneur 一个创业者

trained 受过专业培训的

tough 艰难的

to make a pitch 做宣传，推销概念

pretty much 差不多

a pool table 一个台球桌

to struggle 挣扎

statistics 统计数据

risk 风险

to recoup 收回（成本）

sound 合理的

reputable 值得信赖的

back to the drawing board 重新开始，从头再来