When CareGuide founder John Philip Green set out to raise the first outside capital for his network of websites, his goal was $500,000 (U.S.).

He ended up raising more than $1.5-million after seeking equity through the popular U.S.-based crowdfunding portal, AngelList.

Mr. Green had already landed about 10 investors through his own contacts, but AngelList helped to push that number to more than 50.