Crowdfunding in the Norwegian digital press
Abstract
The study provides a comprehensive analysis of how media influences and reflects perceptions of crowdfunding. By analyzing trends in article numbers, sentiment, sources, and platform mentions, the research offers insights into the media's role in promoting or hindering crowdfunding's growth as a financing mechanism.Key findings indicate that the number of articles peaked in 2015, with articles evolving from secondary mentions in 2010 to primary topics by 2023. Early articles rarely specified crowdfunding models, but recent years show a shift from donation and reward-based models to lending and equity models. This shift highlights the market's evolving needs and the maturation of crowdfunding as a financing tool. The prominence of lending crowdfunding in 2023 reflects the rising demand for alternative financing amid economic uncertainties. Sentiment has transitioned from neutral in the early days to positive in the mid-2010s, turning negative in 2023 due to a series of defaulted loans. Platform mentions have also evolved, from scarce mentions to focusing on international platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, and more recently to domestic lending platforms such as Monio and Funding Partner.