Counting on the crowds

Danae Ringelmann’s crowdfunding platform has blazed a trail for struggling entrepreneurs

Danae Ringelmann founded Indiegogo to help ordinary people get access to financePicture: Maura Hickey

The main soundtrack of actor Don Cheadle’s childhood was the smooth trumpet of Miles Davis. For nearly a decade, Cheadle had been trying to make a film about the jazz legend, but was unable to secure funding.

The money finally came in July, but not from a Hollywood studio mogul, or an angel investor with a newfound love of jazz. Instead, ...