Investec Australia has taken a 20 per cent stake in the privately owned equity crowdfunding business, Equitise. This puts Investec in as the largest shareholder behind Equitise's founders. Other investors include H2 Ventures and Tank Stream Ventures. A media release announcing the deal noted that Equitise has developed its business model in New Zealand "where the regulatory environment is ahead of Australia and equity crowdfunding has a strong track record".Investec Australia CEO Milton Samios said his firm was attracted to the Equitise business model, which includes features such as a "syndicate" investment platform that will allow groups to create their own investor club for new investment opportunities - essentially taking the 'angel investor' model on-line.In its first 11 months of operations Equitise raised A$3.5 million investment capital for six transactions, including one episode where $455,000 was raised in a week.