The JOBS Act Two Years Later: Where We Are and What's Next for Crowdfunding (Infographic) The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, signed into law on April 5, 2012, fundamentally changed the fundraising landscape for entrepreneurs. Here's a look at what has changed and what's next.

By Catherine Clifford Apr 4, 2014

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Two years ago tomorrow, President Obama signed the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act -- or JOBS Act -- into law. The landmark legislation fundamentally changed the way that entrepreneurs access capital.

Of particular note, the JOBS Act removed a ban on general solicitation, making it legal for entrepreneurs to publicize their efforts to raise capital. Also, the JOBS Act opened the door to allow unaccredited investors to invest in companies online via crowdfunding. The rules are still being negotiated in Washington, but when the Securities and Exchange Commission finally signs off on them, the multi-billion dollar crowdfunding industry is expected to expand even more.

Crowdfunding site Fundable generated the infographic below, summarizing the key provisions of the JOBS Act, why they are important and what's coming next for the industry.

Have a looksee.

Click to Enlarge+

The JOBS Act Two Years Later: Where We Are and What's Next for Crowdfunding (Infographic)

Catherine Clifford

Senior Entrepreneurship Writer at CNBC

Catherine Clifford is senior entrepreneurship writer at CNBC. She was formerly a senior writer at Entrepreneur.com, the small business reporter at CNNMoney and an assistant in the New York bureau for CNN. Clifford attended Columbia University where she earned a bachelor's degree. She lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. You can follow her on Twitter at @CatClifford.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Most Popular

See all

Data & Recovery

FileJump Offers 2TB of Cloud Storage for $70—With No Strings Attached

File management has never been this simple.

By Entrepreneur Store

Business News

Zillow Predicts These 10 Places Will Have the Hottest Housing Markets in 2025

Zillow predicted that the hottest housing market of 2025 will be Buffalo, New York. Here's why.

By Sherin Shibu

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

By Eve Gumpel

Side Hustle

This Juilliard Grad Musician Started a 6-Figure Side Hustle That Has Nothing to Do With Music — and Sold Out With Word of Mouth: 'Couldn't Ask for More'

Damian Primis, 45, needed to find another source of income when the pandemic halted live performances.

By Amanda Breen

Growing a Business

Entrepreneurs Should Invest in Service, Not Just Sales — Here's How to Build a Customer-First Business

A customer-first business strategy that prioritizes exceptional service, empowers employees and leverages feedback can transform satisfied customers into loyal advocates, driving sustainable, long-term growth.

By John Conway

Business Culture

It's Time to Rewrite Your Company's Values — Here's How

Most companies' values are forgotten or disconnected from daily operations. By rethinking and co-creating values with your team, you can transform them into actionable tools that align behavior, build trust and drive performance.

By Bradley Hook