Welcome to Part 5 of The Poverty Story

Let’s continue with some more background questions.

For sure.

Is Level UP similar to a nonprofit or government program?

Like these organizations, we care about people and society.

But unlike them, we are a for-profit benefit corporation, (or B-Corp), committed to creating a better society while building revenue.

This allows us to be self-sustaining and world-changing, and to fulfill our mission, while we improve our tools, grow our community, and reward our investors.

How do you plan to make money helping poor people?

Our model is business-to-business, also known as B2B.

Our Apps will be paid for and implemented by all types of companies, for many reasons, including specific advantages for them and their employees.

We help these businesses become more sustainable, profitable, and future-facing through the use of our Level Up Apps and associated software platforms.

These companies are already using software solutions similar to, but fundamentally different from, our products. Our model is designed to simultaneously level the playing field for their workers and enhance company productivity.

Can you build a viable company in this marketplace?

Yes. We are certain that we can.

Our market includes hundreds of thousands of companies who are already committed to positive social impact, and who are seeking solutions that help them achieve this. Our products fit the bill. They help make companies better, with costs that are comparable to or less than existing alternatives - most of which help maintain the status quo.

How successful can you be?

Firstly, we can support this generation to achieve our mission – and that’s a success by any measure.

Secondly, all our research into several comparable “software platform” companies shows that we can become a high-revenue, high-value company within 5 years. And in line with our philosophy of “people-first” and “sharing the wealth”, we are making ownership of our company, Level UP Tech, accessible to as many people as possible.

How are you achieving that – making your ownership accessible, I mean?

In part, by always pursuing our goal of including as many people as possible in ownership. Oddly, this is contrary to the goal of most companies that fight to hold onto as much of their stock as possible.

For our first seven years, we have been almost exclusively self-funded with 90% of the needed investment coming from our working founders. That said, we have also brought in small investors and treated them with the respect they deserved.

Now we are raising a new round of funds to complete and launch our three primary Apps that are in the design phase.

Our offering is a form of IOU with interest, that can later be converted, at the buyer’s choice, to company stock at the earlier price. In effect, it gives the investor the best of both worlds.

Also, we have a B-Corp Crowdfunding partner that handles the paperwork and specifically makes it possible for small investors to access what are traditionally large investor opportunities.

The minimum investment amount is $100.

Can you explain a little more?

It’s a type of investment known as a convertible loan – convertible from loan to company stock at a predefined point – for example, in 2 years – at the owner/investor’s choice.

We think this is a fair and attractive option because if company valuation continues to increase the conversion opportunity allows them to capture the gains, whereas the repayment option is a nice fallback.

This gives even small investors the opportunity to gain tech-company-type returns on their money if our valuation increases, which it will if we meet our milestones and grow along our planned path.

It is important for me to give this disclaimer – that if the company fails then they are likely to lose all their money – just like a regular stock market investment.

You can see our Business Plan here (not linked yet)

OK – so that’s how you are raising funds?
Is it the same opportunity for all potential investors?

Yes.

Larger investors come in under the same terms, which we feel is equitable.

Obviously, our preference is to include as many investors as possible rather than just a few large investors. That’s the beauty and power of our funding partner WeFunder.

Interestingly WeFunder is an example of a Level UP App that was on our radar. We are delighted that someone else beat us to it – and did a fantastic job into the bargain. Three years ago we wrote a description of an equitable funding platform – which is uncannily similar to what WeFunder offers.

While we’re on this point, what else should potential supporters know?

I forgot to mention that we set aside stock for anyone who cannot afford the $100 minimum investment through WeFunder. We simply seek a barter for services that can assist our company in exchange.

You can reach out to us at declan@leveluptech.com with input or questions.

Update: In late December 2023 we are launching our crowdfunding on WeFunder.com/leveluptech. For the first few weeks, this will be a "testing the waters" campaign, where early birds and friends and family can reserve a slot for later investment. Please join us. As per SEC rules, no terms or future projections of success are allowed during this phase.  Disclaimer: All investments would be at risk of loss as this is an early-stage company