Unlike Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF), which legally requires you to use a specific, third-party “funding portal” (like Wefunder or StartEngine), Regulation A+ does not have a mandatory “porthole” or intermediary requirement.
You have much more flexibility with Reg A+, but that flexibility comes with higher complexity and direct responsibility. Here is how the setup works:
1. Hosting: Your Website vs. a Platform
Because Reg A+ is a “mini-IPO,” the SEC allows you to host the offering yourself. You generally have two choices:
- Self-Hosting (Direct): You can build a dedicated “Invest” page on your own company website. You are responsible for the tech stack that handles the “Buy” button, investor signatures (e-sign), and payment processing.
- Third-Party Platforms: You can still use platforms (like Manhattan Street Capital or Dalmore Group). These are not “funding portals” in the legal sense like they are for Reg CF; instead, they act as technology service providers or broker-dealers that provide the “plumbing” for your raise.
2. The “Back-End” Software Stack
If you host the offering yourself, you don’t just “file and hope.” You need a coordinated tech stack to remain compliant:
- Transfer Agent: This is mandatory. You must hire an SEC-registered transfer agent (e.g., VStock, Computershare) to track who owns your stock, handle share issuances, and manage dividends.
- Escrow Agent: You typically need a bank or escrow service to hold investor funds until you hit your “minimum” (if you have one) and the SEC qualifies your offering.
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML) & KYC Software: You must use software to verify the identity of your investors and ensure they aren’t on any “bad actor” lists.
- Investment Processing Software: Tools like DealMaker or CloudRaise are popular because they plug into your website and handle the actual workflow (signing documents, ACH/Wire/Credit Card processing).
3. The SEC Filing (EDGAR)
Regardless of which software you use, the formal “portal” to the government is the SEC’s EDGAR system.
- You (or your lawyer) must file Form 1-A via EDGAR.
- This is not a simple upload; it is a highly structured filing process.
- The SEC must “Qualify” (approve) this filing before your “porthole” or website can legally accept a single dollar from an investor.
Comparison Summary
| Feature | Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) | Regulation A+ |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediary | Required (Must use a Registered Portal) | Optional (Can host on your own site) |
| Who handles the money? | The Portal | An Escrow Bank / Your Tech Stack |
| Primary Filing | Form C | Form 1-A |
| Transfer Agent | Recommended | Required |
| Cost to Launch | Low ($5k – $15k) | High ($50k – $150k+) |
As of 2026, the landscape for Regulation A+ has moved toward “modular” technology. Since you aren’t forced to use a single portal, most companies assemble a Tech Stack that plugs directly into their own website.
Here are the top-rated providers for each layer of that stack:
1. The “All-in-One” Raise Platforms
These companies provide the “Buy Button” and the back-end dashboard. They handle the investor onboarding workflow (signing the subscription agreement, AML/KYC checks, and payment processing).
- DealMaker: Currently the industry leader for Reg A+. They focus on turning the investment process into an “e-commerce” experience. They provide the tech that sits on your website and can also provide broker-dealer and transfer agent services.
- StartEngine (White Label): While known as a portal, they offer a white-label service that allows you to use their high-trust brand and tech on your own domain.
- Rialto Markets: A major broker-dealer and technology provider that specializes in helping companies build their own “private market” to trade shares after the raise.
- Dalmore Group: One of the most active broker-dealers in the space. They provide the legal “coverage” you need to market nationwide while letting you keep your own branding.
2. Mandatory Transfer Agents
You are legally required to have a Transfer Agent to track your “Cap Table” (who owns what).
- Computershare / EQ (Equiniti): The “Gold Standard” for companies that eventually want to IPO on the NYSE or Nasdaq.
- Colonial Stock Transfer: Highly popular for Reg A+ specifically because they offer integrated escrow services and affordable “book-entry” (digital) share tracking.
- Carta: While primarily a cap-table management tool, they have expanded their services to support the complex compliance needs of Reg A+ issuers.
3. Escrow & Payment Processing
You need a neutral third party to hold the money until the SEC “qualifies” your round or you hit your minimum.
- Kroll: Provides institutional-grade escrow services and is a common choice for larger Tier 2 raises.
- Enterprise Bank & Trust: Often used by platforms like DealMaker to handle the actual movement of funds via ACH, Wire, and Credit Card.
- North Capital: A specialized technology-driven bank that provides “Escrow-as-a-Service” for crowdfunding.
🛠️ The “Pro” DIY Stack (Example)
If you wanted to host the raise on https://www.google.com/search?q=YourCompany.com, your stack might look like this:
- Frontend: Your website (WordPress/Webflow) with a DealMaker or Rialto plugin.
- Broker-Dealer: Dalmore Group (to ensure your ads are compliant).
- Transfer Agent: Colonial Stock Transfer (to issue the digital shares).
- Escrow: North Capital (to hold the cash during the raise).
One Critical Warning for 2026
While you can “self-host,” you still need a Broker-Dealer of Record (like Dalmore or Rialto) to review your marketing materials. If you run Facebook or Google ads for your stock without a broker-dealer’s “stamp of approval,” the SEC can shut down your offering for “illegal solicitation.”
This RFP (Request for Proposal) is designed for a company that wants to “self-host” their Regulation A+ offering on their own website rather than using a traditional third-party portal.
You can copy and paste this into a document, fill in the bracketed information, and send it to the providers we discussed (e.g., DealMaker, Rialto Markets, or Dalmore Group).
Request for Proposal (RFP)
Project: Regulation A+ Tier 2 Capital Raise Tech Stack & Broker-Dealer Services
Date: [Insert Date]
Company Name: [Insert Company Name]
Contact: [Insert Name/Email]
1. Project Overview
[Company Name] is preparing to launch a Regulation A+ Tier 2 offering to raise up to $[Target Amount, e.g., $20M]. Our goal is to host the offering directly on our corporate website to maintain brand consistency and own the investor relationship. We are seeking a partner (or suite of partners) to provide the technology infrastructure, broker-dealer oversight, and back-office compliance.
2. Scope of Services Requested
Please indicate which of the following services your firm provides and the associated costs:
A. Technology & Investor Onboarding
- White-Label Integration: Can your “Invest Now” workflow be embedded directly onto our domain via API or iframe?
- Investor Dashboard: Do you provide a portal for investors to track their holdings and receive updates?
- Payment Processing: Do you support ACH, Wire, and Credit Card? (Please list fees for each).
- AML/KYC & Bad Actor Checks: Is automated identity verification and “bad actor” screening included in the workflow?
B. Broker-Dealer Services (Compliance)
- Review of Marketing: Will you serve as the Broker-Dealer of Record to review and “stamp” our social media ads and landing pages for FINRA compliance?
- State Filing (Blue Sky): Do you handle the notice filings for all 50 states?
- Registered Reps: Do you provide registered representatives to answer specific investor questions regarding the “merits” of the deal?
C. Back-Office & Administrative
- Escrow Services: Do you have an integrated escrow bank partner, or must we source one separately?
- Transfer Agent Integration: Which Transfer Agents (e.g., Computershare, Colonial, Carta) does your software automatically sync with?
- Secondary Trading: Do you offer a path to an ATS (Alternative Trading System) if we wish to provide liquidity to our investors later?
3. Pricing & Fee Structure
Please provide a transparent breakdown of:
- Implementation/Setup Fee: (One-time cost to launch).
- Monthly SaaS/Maintenance Fee: (Recurring cost during the raise).
- Broker-Dealer Commission: (Percentage of the total raise, if applicable).
- Per-Investor Processing Fee: (Cost for each “cleared” investor).
4. Technical Requirements
- Data Security: Please confirm your platform is SOC2 compliant or describe your data encryption standards.
- CRM Integration: Can your system push investor data to our CRM (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)?
5. Submission Instructions
Please submit your proposal by [Date]. We are looking to select a partner and begin the SEC “filing and qualification” process by [Target Month].
Pro-Tip for your RFP:
When you send this out, ask specifically about “Hidden Fees.” Some providers charge extra for every time you change a word in your pitch deck (compliance review fees) or for “administrative “costs that aren’t in the base price.
Would you like me to help you draft the “Business Description” section that you’ll need to provide to these vendors so they can understand your project?