Companisto
Berlin equity crowdinvesting in start-ups from EUR 250, with a secondary market
At a glance
| Company | Companisto GmbH |
|---|---|
| Category | Crowdfunding Platforms |
| Headquarters | Berlin, Germany |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - Germany (EU) |
| Data Location | not stated on the pages we read |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Equity investments in start-ups, Business Angel Club, secondary market, investor academy, podcasts, INVEST grant information |
| Pricing | not shown on the pages we read; investments from EUR 250 |
| Best For | Investors and start-up founders in Germany who want an equity model instead of a rewards campaign |
| Replaces | Kickstarter, Indiegogo |
Review in detail
The legal notice names Companisto GmbH, Köpenicker Str. 154, 10997 Berlin, entered at the Amtsgericht Charlottenburg under HRB 132811 B, with managing directors Tamo Zwinge and David Rhotert. Some investments are brokered by Companisto Wertpapier GmbH.
Companisto is a different model: backers become investors, not customers. It is relevant to Kickstarter users only if the project is a company that wants to sell equity rather than pre-sell a product.
How investing works
The home page says you can invest in start-ups from as little as EUR 250 and that the Business Angel Club is for investors putting in more than EUR 10,000. It also offers a secondary market where shares can be bought and sold.
The site mentions a 15% government INVEST grant from EUR 10,000.
Regulatory structure
Companisto Wertpapier GmbH is described as a contractually bound broker under the German Securities Institutions Act acting for the account and under the liability of Effecta GmbH, Florstadt, and is registered with BaFin as a bound broker.
The notice also says Companisto GmbH does not take part in alternative consumer dispute settlement.
Limits for creators
Equity crowdinvesting is not a way to pre-sell a gadget: backers receive a stake in a company, not a product. The pages we read give no costs for founders.
All investments carry the risk of loss, which the site makes explicit.
Points against
Not a substitute for rewards crowdfunding; investments are illiquid and risky. Fees for founders were not shown on the pages we read, and the listed legal structure is complex with a tied-agent set-up.
Is Companisto right for you?
Start-ups seeking equity from many small investors and individuals who want to invest from EUR 250. For rewards campaigns see Ulule.
What works, what does not
Pros
- Full imprint with register number and managing directors
- Investments from EUR 250
- Secondary market for shares
- Business Angel Club for larger tickets
- BaFin-registered tied-agent structure disclosed
Cons
- Equity risk, including total loss
- Costs for founders not shown
- Tied-agent and broker structure is complex
- Not for rewards or product presales
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Full imprint with register number and managing directors
- Investments from EUR 250
- Secondary market for shares
- Business Angel Club for larger tickets
- BaFin-registered tied-agent structure disclosed
Cons
- Equity risk, including total loss
- Costs for founders not shown
- Tied-agent and broker structure is complex
- Not for rewards or product presales
Alternatives to Companisto
Further European crowdfunding platforms to compare:
See all European crowdfunding platforms or compare them directly against Kickstarter on our alternatives page.
Common questions
The site says you can invest from EUR 250.
Companisto GmbH, Köpenicker Str. 154, 10997 Berlin, HRB 132811 B at the Amtsgericht Charlottenburg.
No. Backers receive shares or participation, not products, and can lose their whole investment.