Raising capital to pay for expansion plans can sometimes be a major hurdle for smaller companies that aren't publicly traded on the stock exchanges. But in the USA a new investor option is making the path less formidable for these smaller businesses with big dreams.

Revised rules adopted by the US Securities and Exchange Commission went into effect over the summer, allowing companies to sell up to $50 million of securities in a 12-month period, meaning that everyday citizens can become the investors.

Sun Dental Labs, a Florida-based company, was one of the first in the USA to receive SEC approval to move forward with a securities offering under the change.

Diasti Diasti, Chief Executive Officer of Sun Dental Labs, saw the SEC rule change as the perfect opportunity for the company, which manufactures and distributes custom dental devices, such as crowns, bridges, partials, dentures, implants and orthodontic devices. Although based in Florida, Sun Dental Labs also has facilities in the United Kingdom, Sweden, France, the Netherlands, Germany and China.

Diasti said: 'We are excited about this because it gives us easier access to capital without having to be listed on the trading markets. Anyone can invest in this company, so this democratises investing.

'We've developed a digital workflow that lets the dentist scan the mouth to get an impression, which will provide a more accurate fit, is more comfortable for the patient and results in a quicker turnaround. Our plan is to [use the funds raised by selling securities to] purchase additional manufacturing equipment and technology, and acquire a dental lab facility in Latin America.

'In the next 10 years, no one will go to a dentist unless that dentist's office is digital. The industry is changing and we plan to be a big part of that.'

Visit www.sundentallabs.com for further information.