UK crowdfunding platform Seedrs, which is championed by tennis star Andy Murray, is set to expand into the US.

The announcement comes after the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) voted on Friday to approve Title III of the Jobs Act, deregulating the US crowdfunding sector to an extent and essentially opening up equity crowdfunding to non-accredited investors.

Seedrs will be launching a beta site in the US within a few weeks to test the market, before launching fully at the beginning of next year.

Seedrs is one of the biggest UK crowdfunding platforms, enabling the public to invest in new companies and opening up the availability of business finance. It has funded over 270 deals to date, and on average raises up to £3.5 million per month.

Jeff Lynn, Seedrs’ chief executive Jeff Lynn said in a statement:

“I have had the privilege of being involved in the lawmaking process for US crowdfunding ever since the JOBS Act was introduced in 2011, and I am very pleased to see that the SEC has finally adopted rules implementing Title III.

“We believe this heralds the emergence of equity crowdfunding as a vibrant form of finance in the United States – just as it has become in the UK and Europe – and Seedrs is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the sector’s growth.

Crowdfunding has become increasingly popular over the last few years, going from a relatively unheard of and unobtainable form of finance to something considered by businesses of all sizes. The US has traditionally had a more cautious approach to the crowdfunding sector than the UK, making it difficult for UK companies to expand. However, the tide seems to be turning across the pond, with the US realising the potential the sector has to benefit new businesses and stimulate the economy.