Introduction -- Financial needs in SMEs -- Equity crowdfunding as a hedge fund in SMEs -- The evolution of equity crowdfunding -- Equity crowdfunding: literature analysis -- Conclusion.

This book focuses on the relevance of equity-side innovative financial tools for SMEs in overcoming financial threats. Scholars identify difficulties in the financial sphere as the main causes of SME mortality. Such problems do not allow them to reach sustainable growth. It thus becomes critical to have the best knowledge of innovative financial tools to overcome financial constraints. By exploring the origin of financial needs, the book aims to observe how innovative equity-side financing tools, particularly equity crowdfunding, contribute to the SME dimension. The work outlines the main development factors, observing equity-crowdfunding’s effect on the rate at which SMEs reach sustainable total development (STD). Moreover, outlining the fundamentals of the main theories developed on financing choices, the work concludes with a systematic literature analysis on equity crowdfunding, highlighting the main features that currently increase scholars’ interest in the topic.