Investomer

Brian Bellardo, General Counsel of StockPower Inc., described how companies can use their web sites to distribute stock to their customers, creating new "investomers" who will bring more loyalty and revenue to the company. He explained that investomers are both long-term investors and loyal customers who, according to his company's research, spend more and visit the company's web site more frequently.

In some cases, of course, customers are owners, too. Examples include the members of associations, cooperatives, and credit unions as well as the shareholders of companies that are deliberately setting out to create "investomers."

Unlike Kickstarter, the local operation forgoes donations and seeks “investomers,” company lingo for investors who'll ideally become regular customers, thanks to credits they receive when the business opens.