Missoula Start-Up Reflex Protect® Launches First Montana-based National Equity Crowd Funding Campaign Despite COVID19 Concerns

April 23, 2020

MISSOULA, April 23, 2020 – Local Missoula start-up Reflex Protect is the first Montana-based company to engage in an SEC-approved Regulation CF equity crowd funding raise to the general public nationwide via the Republic.co platform.

“Despite the current economic climate, we knew the contribution we can make to law enforcement and other first responders compelled Reflex Protect to launch the campaign as planned, even as we pivoted our sales focus and locked down,” says Joe Anderson, Co-founder and CEO of Reflex Protect®.

Reflex Protect® is a safety preparedness company delivering its patented non-lethal active defense solution to nationwide healthcare facilities, schools, and wherever people live, work, worship, and play. The company planned the equity raise prior to the advent of the Covid-19 crisis, in response to a long-existing gap in financing opportunities for Montana companies.

“There has been steady improvement over the past several years for Montana start-ups seeking seed investment,” reports Anderson. “Nonetheless, for companies with products or services that are ‘not tech enough,’ or haven’t yet achieved $1 million in annual revenue, there still aren’t enough options.”

As part of the 2017 JOBS Act, Congress allowed certain SEC-approved and licensed organizations, such as Republic.co, WeFunder, and SeedInvest, to offer equity financing via Kickstarter-style crowd funding. After Republic.co performs considerable due diligence on the companies offering equity on their platform, those that qualify then reach upwards of 400,000 potential investors nationwide. Unlike most VC or “Angel” investing, investors do not have to be “accredited” and can invest in small amounts.

“Companies with missions that spark the interest of everyday people can raise $1 million from 1,000 investors at $1,000 each,” Anderson continues. “In some cases that’s easier than convincing one VC to write a $1 million check.” The minimum investment in the Reflex Protect offering is $200.

Reflex Protect® has been supported on its startup journey by the Blackstone LaunchPad (powered by Techstars) at the University of Montana.

About Reflex Protect®: Reflex Protect® is the brand name of Reflex Red Storm, LLC, a Missoula-based start-up non-lethal defense product company housed in the Montana Technology Enterprise Center (MonTEC) facility of the UM Accelerate Montana incubator. The company provides nurses, teachers, frontline personnel, law enforcement and corrections officials the peace of mind that comes from having a simple, safe, and effective non-lethal self-defense option.

For more information about Reflex Protect® and how you can support its mission, visit ReflexProtect.com or email info@reflexprotect.com. For more information about the Reflex Protect crowd funding opportunity, visit https://republic.co/reflex-protect.

To schedule an interview with Joe Anderson please contact Karen Tiber Leland at karen@karenleland.com or (415) 260-4615 or for local press, reach Joe directly on (406) 880-5587 and joe@reflexprotect.com.