<div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>Investing in MT's Food and Agriculture Future: Event in Bozeman to highlight innovative ways of building capital</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Every
business, including food and agriculture ventures, needs capital and as a small business owner, attracting traditional
investors to help fund a startup or expansion can be daunting and ineffective.
 According to the business crowdfunding platform Fundable, less than 1% of
startups receive funding from angel investors and only .05% of startups benefit
from venture capital.  As businesses look for new innovative ways to
access capital, more options are becoming available for investment crowdfunding.  For instance, Montana has a new crowdfunding
platform, <a href="https://crowdfundmontana.com/">Crowdfund Montana</a>, dedicated to allowing investors the option to
‘support entrepreneurs and innovators, create jobs, and build a strong Montana
economy.’   <b>This allows new opportunities for community members to invest in businesses in their own communities</b>.  The platform has had a recent success story from Troy Montana, <a href="https://pinkbenchdistilling.com/" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">Pink Bench Distilling</a>,
who successfully completed their investment crowdfunding raise from 48
community investors, totaling nearly $100,000 — 165% of their initial
goal. You can learn more about their work from articles in the <a href="https://flatheadbeacon.com/2023/04/17/save-a-bear-drink-brandy/" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">Flathead Beacon</a> and the <a href="https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/may/12/new-distillery-coming-troy-will-help-bears/" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">Western News</a>, and from an interview on the <a href="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/capital-insight/episodes/Episode-65-Is-Investment-Crowdfunding-a-New-Economic-Development-Tool-e228a8e" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">Capital Insights</a> podcast.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><br></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">However,
investment crowdfunding is not for every business.  The key to making investment crowdfunding successful is understanding the legal and regulatory components. 
The MT Commissioner of Securities, the main regulatory body for investments in
the state,  is hosting an event specific to address opportunities for
raising capital and investing in MT.  It will be an engaging discussion
about raising capital from a diversity of perspectives, including prominent local equity investors, and several successful initiatives like Old Salt Co-op, Montucky Cold Snacks, BioSqueeze and more. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><br></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><u>Investing in Montana: Raising Capital and Finding
Investment Opportunities </u></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, Office of the
MT State Auditor, is hosting an event in Bozeman focused on investment
opportunities in MT.  Topics include:  success stories from Montana
companies; angel funds and public companies; understanding of the regulatory
and legal framework etc.  </p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Date: June 27, 2023 noon – 6:30 PM</p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Location: AC Hotel, Bozeman</p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Limited tickets - $25 each. </p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fcsimt.gov%2fevents%2f&c=E,1,u6q7Y3D0ppiN5-Im6sROXdVGN41tR_HLDDCqfJtKi0HUmQ9Xgq1s-vBjEJKlB6Bm4VBDOqAjEDTsUhOArfPIjJvNurzsFumguu3QbCE8M9MTmVDd&typo=1" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">More information here</a></p><div><br></div><span class="gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><font face="comic sans ms, sans-serif" size="4"><b><i>Sam Blomquist</i></b></font></div></div></div>