Legislation making its way through U.S. Congress would allow anyone to invest in the latest cool idea, with the prospect of making a profit one day. The Crowdfund Act, which passed the Senate in March, would let anyone invest up to 5% of their annual income, or $2,000, in a project or firm that is listed on a crowdfunding website. People earning more than $100,000 a year would be allowed to invest 10% of their income. If signed into law, start-ups would be able to raise up to $1 million from small investors.

The move would be a boost to tech innovation across the U.S., says Sherwood Neiss, one of a group of entrepreneurs who are lobbying for the legislation change. Neiss told the House in a hearing in September that at least 500,000 start-ups will launch over the next five years once they can access money from small investors.