Since the site was first launched in 2007, Crunchbase has established itself as one of the most reliable places to get information about businesses of all sizes. With more than 500,000 active community contributors, the platform is continuously expanding in terms of both breadth and depth.
What was originally built to track startups, today’s Crunchbase information includes investment and funding reports, founding members and individuals in leadership positions, mergers and acquisitions, news, and industry trends.
Crunchbase is much more than a digital encyclopedia for learning about certain businesses—it is also an innovative platform that makes it easier for new businesses to connect with the financing they need. Even if your business is still in the startup stages, you can have access to experienced financiers that can help you get off the ground and moving in a positive direction.
The platform can be described as a “mix” of Wikipedia and LinkedIn. It resembles Wikipedia because it is a major, comprehensive database that can be edited by its users. On the other hand, it is like LinkedIn because many businesses use this platform to directly promote themselves and connect with others.
In today’s competitive business environment, you will need a profile that stands out from the rest. Below are five ways to leverage your business’ Crunchbase profile.
Register and Verify your Business
In order to have the right to edit and contribute information, you will first need to register and create an account. Fortunately, doing this is actually very easy. Starting on the homepage, click on the “register” button. From there, all you need to do is input your information and verify your business. Once you have entered as much information as possible, your profile may begin to look similar to this Crunchbase page.
Create Information that is Unique to the Platform
While the information on your Crunchbase profile is much like the information found on your LinkedIn page or your company website, you will still want to avoid copying and pasting the same wording from one profile to the next. Google scans for duplicate information and even though you aren’t plagiarizing, copying and pasting can negatively impact your SEO. Instead, consider rewriting the information using original wording.
Consider Purchasing one of Crunchbase’s Advanced Products
While much of Crunchbase can be accessed for free, there are also many paid options that will help you to gain more functionality on the platform. Crunchbase Pro, Crunchbase Marketplace, and Crunchbase Enterprise are all advanced products that can help your business gain a strategic advantage.
Add as Much Information as You Can
Because it is quite possible that Crunchbase will be the first impression of your business a potential investor ever has, you will want to provide them with as much useful information as you possibly can. Adding things such as contact information, your company history, links to key websites, and funding information can help you position yourself above your competition.
Think About Your Target Audience
While it is important to be thorough, you will also need to think about your target audience. If you were a potential investor, what would you be actively looking for? Make sure to include as much information as possible for your profile viewers to understand your business. Sprucing up your page with charts, graphics, and advanced analytics can really make a major difference.
Conclusion
Crunchbase is an excellent platform that enables your business to create the essential connections it needs to succeed. By keeping these simple, yet important, tips in mind, you can begin moving in a positive direction.