Due to the financial market crisis and the resulting decline in lending by banks and venture capital firms, the question of financing for start-ups is more relevant than ever. Since 2012, crowdfunding has been gaining importance as an innovative financing method for start-ups in Germany. This book provides an overview of the fundamentals of starting a business as well as the development of crowdfunding as a contemporary financing method. The author places a strong emphasis on analyzing the legal framework and selected platforms for crowdfunding. A critical examination of the topic from the perspectives of both investors and borrowers, along with a look at the potential of crowdfunding as a financing method, completes the discussion on the potential of crowdfunding.