For Gumroad's Sahil Lavingia, money didn't always come easily. But in recent months, not only did his digital-goods business book a profit for the first time, but it also signed more than 7,000 non-accredited investors--many of who are Gumroad customers--in less than 24 hours.

"I think if we can start to see more startups raise money from their customers, from their communities, from the average person, or non-accredited investors--I just think that's good for the world," says Lavingia, founder and CEO of the 10-year-old company. READ MORE