Giving Neurotic Entrepreneurs Money to Save the World? An Analysis of U.S. Equity Crowdfunding Projects

A key challenge faced by entrepreneurs is financing the venture for which equity crowdfunding presents an alternative with relatively low entry barriers. While it has recently been shown that perceived personality traits of the entrepreneur can impact crowdfunding success, so far, little is known about which perceived personality traits drive funding success in the context of sustainable ventures, which this study explores. To answer this question, through the lens of asymmetric information, we use quantitative regression analysis of U.S.-based equity crowdfunding projects. Overall, our preliminary results suggest an interaction between sustainability and the negatively perceived personality trait (neuroticism) on equity crowdfunding funding success. Further, we replicate recent findings on the role of negatively perceived personality traits in crowdfunding. This study contributes to our knowledge of the role of the entrepreneur's perceived personality and communication in successfully financing sustainable ventures via equity crowdfunding, bringing us closer to co-creating sustainable digital futures.