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Today is Thursday, July 2, 2026.
The Early Bird Index today is 91.13.
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Crowdfunding's Quiet Surge 🌱
As traditional stocks rose and cryptocurrency prices collapsed during the first half of 2026, one asset that has quietly done well is equity crowdfunding.
Definition: Equity crowdfunding is where startups and private companies raise capital from large groups of everyday investors online, giving them equity, shares, or a financial stake in the business.
Data: According to the private markets database KingsCrowd, the total raised in Reg CF and Reg A (different types of crowdfunding) is up 9.7% and 12.3% year-over-year, respectively.
The average amount raised in equity crowdfunding is up across the board in 2026.
However, while the number of Reg CF raises is up 2% this year, the number of Reg A raises is down 8.3%.
Details: Some of the notable startups to raise funds through equity crowdfunding in 2026 are the women’s sports bar The Sports Bra, energy storage company Qnetic, and anime publisher TOKYOPOP.
Early Bird’s Nest Egg Gains: Total capital raised via equity crowdfunding is up in 2026 largely because the structure has matured into a mainstream, tech‑enabled, regulated way to access private markets, while both issuers and retail investors are actively seeking alternatives to traditional VC and public equities.
Final Thoughts: While equity crowdfunding can be a great way for investors to get exposure to private companies, these investments carry risk. After all, most startups fail.
I'm 63 With $1.5M. Can I Spend $10K a Month?
You’ve saved $1.5 million. Now comes the real test.
Can it produce $10,000 a month, or will that pace drain your portfolio?
Most retirees do not get a clear answer until it is too late.
The issue is not just how much you have. It is whether your portfolio was built to pay you, not just grow.
That difference can determine whether your money lasts decades or starts breaking down early.
Sequence of returns, taxes on withdrawals, healthcare costs, and whether the 4% rule still applies all play a role.
Fiduciary advisors created a breakdown showing what drives sustainable income and why the same $1.5M can produce very different outcomes.
If you have $1M or more invested, do not guess.
Notables
Notable Earnings Today: Lindsay (Nasdaq: LIN).
Notable IPOs Today: Securitize Corp. (NYSE: SECZ), Tarsier Pharma Ltd. (NYSE: TARX), Viking Acquisition Corp. II (NYSE: VII), Idaho Copper Corporation (NYSE American: COPR).
Notable Equity Crowdfunding Campaigns Ending Today: Silly Goose Coffee Company (Honeycomb), Shepards Diner (Honeycomb), Baking Encanto (Honeycomb), Hacienda Monterrey (Honeycomb).
Notable Economic Events Today: Jobless Claims (8:30 a.m. ET), Unemployment Rate (8:30 a.m. ET), Average Hourly Earnings (8:30 a.m. ET), Nonfarm Payrolls (8:30 a.m. ET), Labor Force Participation Rate (8:30 a.m. ET), Factory Orders (10:00 a.m. ET), Fed's Balance Sheet (4:30 p.m. ET).
Franklin Covey's Bad Results
Franklin Covey $FC ( ▲ 1.88% ) plunged 18.17% in after-hours trading on Wednesday after the leadership and organization performance provider posted bad financial earnings results.
Financials: Franklin Covey reported earnings of 27 cents per share in the past quarter and revenue of $67.8 million. Both were lower than expected.
Final Thoughts: The stock was up 50% in 2026, so these results are a setback.
Solana’s Early July Jump
The price of the cryptocurrency Solana $SOL ( ▲ 9.79% ) started July on a positive note with a gain of about 6% on Wednesday.
Details: Solana benefited from a mix of strong on‑chain fundamentals and growing tokenization/DeFi activity on the network.
Final Thoughts: Solana is down 37% this year.
Trends to Watch
Restrictions Dropped: After spooking Trump into safety testing, Anthropic AI models get global release (Ars Technica)
Product Push: Robinhood rolls out public blockchain as it expands deeper into crypto (CoinDesk)
Steady Sales: US car sales on cruise control despite pressures (Reuters)
AI Hype: SpaceX Showed Investors Prototype of Elon Musk’s New AI Device (Wall Street Journal)
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The contents of Early Bird are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute trade or investment recommendations, and they are not financial or legal advice. Readers are encouraged to consult licensed professionals for personalized guidance regarding their financial or legal situations.
