Marketing expert Tariq Aziz has returned to Bradford to launch an online fund-raising platform to help community projects.

He has set up City Seeders to help finance projects through crowdfunding, an expanding form of finance whereby people invest small amounts to collectively raise funds for projects.

Mr Aziz, who launched the new operation this month operating from the Gumpton Centre in Glydegate, said he had returned from London to start the venture in his home city to encourage more community involvement here.

He said: “I had the idea of a business which would enhance local communities through useful projects in which people believed and would be likely to actively support. Most people would prefer the place they live to be thriving with plenty of facilities, opportunities and things to enjoy.

“Many of us have great ideas that could make the place we live even better. However, it can sometimes be a challenge to get ideas off the ground due to lack of funding. With traditional lending routes becoming increasingly difficult, people are often left with fewer avenues for funding.

“City Seeders aims to overcome that challenge by giving people the opportunity to raise funds and gain support for projects through crowdfunding. People with great ideas can post their potential project explaining how the community would benefit along with their funding requirements and allow individuals to invest small amounts each, so that collectively the target amount can be raised. In return for investment project owners offer incentives for investment which could range from non monetary rewards such as a free t-shirt to actual formal share in the proposed enterprise.

“Project owners get to raise finance, win support for a project from the potential target market and realise their ambitions. Anyone has the chance to contribute to how their city is developed by picking and choosing which projects to invest in and be part of its success.”

Mr Aziz aims to expand City Seeders across the country, helping to fund locally focussed community projects. The business has kicked off by raising funds for two Bradford-based projects.

Scrap Magic, an Eccleshill craft and scrap store using waste materials, wants to raise £4,000 to open a city centre pop-up shop selling low-cost arts and craft materials during the October half-term break.

HCR Films Ltd, a Bradford-based production company, aims to raise £15,000 towards making a full length feature film called Gatecrasher, based on a successful short movie made for just £60 and since screened internationally.

The film will be shot in Bradford in early next year on a budget of around £250,000.