Risk analysis of gastronomic start-ups on the investment crowdfunding platform Fundlift

This bachelor thesis deals with the analysis of the risks faced by gastronomy start-ups when raising funds through the investment crowdfunding platform Fundlift. The aim of the thesis is to identify the main categories of risks, to describe their specificities in the context of crowdfunding, to identify the most common risks and to propose recommendations for entrepreneurs who plan to use this form of financing. The theoretical part defines the basic concepts related to crowdfunding, the start-up environment and risks. The practical part is based on qualitative research in the form of semi-structured interviews with three key experts working within the Fundlift platform. Based on the analysis of their statements, the risks were divided into five main categories: regulatory, marketing and communication, investor, market and performance. The results show that the most common problems faced by start-ups are unrealistic expectations, lack of transparency, poor communication and unpreparedness for the competitive environment. Successful campaigns, on the other hand, are characterised by a realistic business plan, experienced leadership, personal commitment from the founders and a story. The paper also considers the evolution of the Fundlift platform between 2016 and 2022 and identifies key macroeconomic factors that have influenced the success of campaigns. The results of the thesis might serve as a practical guide for gastronomic start-ups and contribute to a more effective use of investment crowdfunding in the Czech Republic.