SMBX And Degrees Plato Announce New Small Business Bond Offering
Business Wire | January 31, 2020
SMBX, a marketplace for buying and selling small-business bonds, and Degrees Plato, an Oakland owned-and-operated taproom, bottleshop and Mexican kitchen, announced the launch of Degrees Plato’s (PLTO) Small Business Bond™ offering. The offering enables the community to invest in the business directly with as little as $10, providing the business a faster, local pathway to capital. SMBX is ushering in a new model of finance that allows small businesses to offer bonds directly to the public, bypassing banks and standard regulatory fees. The company facilitates secure financial exchanges between individuals, reducing transaction costs and empowering the public to invest in local businesses. Degrees Plato owners Rich Allen and Mercedes Sperling founded the independent taproom in 2017 with aims of sharing quality food and making craft beer approachable in a family-friendly neighborhood hub. Located in Oakland’s Laurel District and dedicated to supporting the community, the pub’s 40 plus taps exclusively feature independent breweries, with an emphasis on local beer. Degrees Plato will use the funds to build an outdoor space, which is set to launch this spring.