Crowdfunding as an innovative source of financing business initiatives in Poland

The significance of crowdfunding platforms enabling the financing of innovative business projects via the Internet has been increasing in recent years. The aim of the article is to analyze the largest crowdfunding platforms in Poland in terms of implementing business initiatives. The article consists of three parts; the first part includes a review of the literature and a presentation of selected definitions of crowdfunding and its models. The second part presents the characteristics and results of a study of the five largest crowdfunding platforms in Poland, i.e., Zrzutka.pl, Siepomaga.pl, Pomagam.pl, Polakpotrafi.pl, and Wspieram.to. The final part indicates the similarities and differences of the largest crowdfunding platforms in Poland as well as showing the possibilities they provide for people looking for an alternative source of financing for business projects. The article uses the prevailing literature as well as an analysis and evaluation of documents, reports, and the websites of the largest Polish crowdfunding platforms.