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Leeds Beckett graduate achieves crowdfunding goal to expand business magazine
The digital-focused publication, which celebrated its first birthday in September, is a free content-driven online platform filled with features, profiles and business advice specific to Leeds.
Now thanks to the investment, John plans to launch the magazine in other UK cities.
The crowdfunding campaign, hosted by Seedrs.com, gives creative projects in need of a cash injection an online platform to garner public funding within an allocated timeframe. If the target amount is met by the deadline the project creator receives the public’s pledged cash.
Managing Director John, aged 25, who graduated from Leeds Beckett with a BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching degree in 2010, commented: “I could not be happier that we have achieved our target and am so grateful to every single investor who believes in The Professional and has pledged. Thanks to this major investment, the team and I can now focus on the exciting times ahead for the magazine and the business.
“As part of a five city, five year plan, The Professional is looking to expand rapidly, which includes launching in Manchester in early 2015. We also have plans to run a series of conferences that would bring to life the best of our features through a series of speakers and round-table discussions: the first of which will be hosted at the First Direct Arena in February.”
The public can still pledge to The Professional as the campaign - which launched in October - runs until early December.
John added: “Investment through crowdfunding, which can be as little as £10, allows start-ups like The Professional to raise capital from friends, family and members of the business community. The chosen amount of investment can be made via Seedrs.com in exchange for a portion of the company’s equity.
“I’m really proud of The Professional and excited to see it grow. Alongside a quarterly print publication, content is also updated daily across web (www.the-professional.co.uk), tablet and mobile platforms. I created the magazine to champion the inspiring people and companies in the business community in Leeds and to celebrate the business and enterprise scene across the city through storytelling, rather than the reporting of news.”
To pledge your support to The Professional visit www.seedrs.com/startups/the-professional-magazine