Handbid
Handbid is a mobile fundraising platform that helps you manage silent auctions, peer-to-peer campaigns, and live events through an integrated mobile app to increase donor engagement and revenue.
StartEngine
StartEngine is a leading equity crowdfunding platform that allows you to invest in early-stage startups and private companies or raise capital for your own growing business venture.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Handbid | StartEngine |
|---|---|---|
| Website | handbid.com | startengine.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2011 | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Centennial, USA | Burbank, USA |
Overview
Handbid
Handbid is a mobile-first fundraising platform designed to help you run more efficient and engaging charity events. Instead of dealing with paper bid sheets or clunky web forms, you provide your donors with a native mobile app where they can bid on auction items, buy tickets, and make donations instantly from their own devices. This real-time interaction keeps your audience engaged through push notifications that alert them when they have been outbid.
You can manage every aspect of your fundraiser from a single dashboard, including guest check-in, item management, and automated checkout. The platform is built to handle everything from small local school auctions to large-scale gala events and multi-day peer-to-peer campaigns. By removing the friction from the bidding process, you can focus on building relationships with your supporters while the software handles the technical logistics of your event.
StartEngine
StartEngine is an equity crowdfunding platform that changes how you interact with the startup ecosystem. Whether you are an entrepreneur looking to scale or an individual seeking to build a venture portfolio, you can browse hundreds of curated investment opportunities across diverse industries like technology, real estate, and consumer goods. You can manage your entire investment journey from a single dashboard, from initial discovery to final commitment.
For founders, the platform provides the tools you need to launch a Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) or Regulation A+ (Reg A+) campaign. You can turn your customers into shareholders, build a community of brand advocates, and access capital without the traditional hurdles of venture capital. The platform handles the heavy lifting of compliance and payment processing so you can focus on growing your business.
Overview
Handbid Features
- Mobile Bidding App Give your donors a native iOS and Android app to browse items and place bids from anywhere in the room.
- Instant Push Notifications Alert your guests the second they are outbid so they can jump back into the action and drive higher totals.
- Livestream Integration Broadcast your live program directly to remote donors so they can participate in your auction from their own homes.
- Automated Checkout Eliminate long lines at the end of the night by allowing guests to pay their invoices directly through the app.
- Peer-to-Peer Campaigns Empower your supporters to create their own fundraising pages and raise money on your behalf through social sharing.
- Real-Time Analytics Monitor your fundraising progress with live dashboards that show you exactly which items are performing best during your event.
StartEngine Features
- Investment Dashboard. Track all your startup investments in one place and monitor the progress of your portfolio companies effortlessly.
- StartEngine Secondary. Trade shares of private companies on an alternative trading system, giving you potential liquidity before an IPO.
- Campaign Builder. Create professional fundraising pages with integrated video, pitch decks, and updates to attract thousands of potential investors.
- Investor Updates. Communicate directly with your shareholders through built-in tools to share milestones, news, and financial reports regularly.
- StartEngine Owner’s Bonus. Get 10% more shares for free when you invest in participating companies by joining the annual membership program.
- Compliance Management. Navigate complex SEC regulations easily with automated tools that handle investor verification and legal filing requirements.
Pricing Comparison
Handbid Pricing
StartEngine Pricing
- Browse all active offerings
- Access to pitch decks
- Basic portfolio tracking
- Educational resources
- No monthly maintenance fees
- Everything in Investor, plus:
- 10% bonus shares on select deals
- Priority access to new launches
- Reduced transaction fees
- Exclusive event invitations
- Billed annually at $275
Pros & Cons
Handbid
Pros
- Native mobile app provides a superior user experience over web-based tools
- Push notifications effectively drive up bidding wars and final revenue
- Streamlined check-in and checkout process reduces event night stress
- Robust reporting makes post-event reconciliation fast and accurate
Cons
- Initial setup of auction items can be time-consuming for large inventories
- Older donors may require extra assistance downloading and using the app
- Pricing structure can be high for very small organizations
StartEngine
Pros
- Low minimum investment amounts for beginners
- User-friendly interface for tracking private equity
- Wide variety of industries and startups
- Secondary market provides rare liquidity options
- Strong community of active, engaged investors
Cons
- High risk associated with startup investing
- Investment fees can impact small returns
- Long wait times for some withdrawals
- Limited customer support during peak periods
- Secondary market has low trading volume