However, it is often difficult to understand how alternative finance works, what the main differences between the services are, and how to identify, which alternative finance service matches the specific needs of a company at the different stages of its development.

The free online course of the European initiative, ALTFINator, aims at introducing the alternative finance ecosystem as well as the specific financing methods.

Participants of the course can learn about the international best practices of alternative finance, and acquire practical knowledge in topics like startup valuation, legal issues in crowd investing, marketing strategy for a successful crowdfunding campaign or the potential risks of investment.

The course starts on 17th February and ends on 6th March but the modules can be accomplished even after the closing of the edition.

During the course period, participants may raise their questions and discuss the learning material with further participants via an online forum. Moreover, each week one instructor will be available during an online live session for Q&As or to discuss additional topics of interest.

Instructors of the course include Ronald Kleverlaan, managing director of the European Centre for Alternative Finance at Utrecht University, senior advisor for the European Commission and co-founder of the European Crowdfunding Network.

You can register to the course here.