Crowdfunding firm Seedrs, which is backed by tennis star Andy Murray, is to begin testing its platform in the US within weeks, following progress on regulatory issues.

It will offer US accredited investors the opportunity to invest in selected campaigns listed on Seedrs, with an official launch expected in early 2016.

In late 2014 Seedrs acquired California-based crowdfunding platform Junction Investments in preparation for its push into the US.

Seedrs chief executive Jeff Lynn provided expert testimony to subcommittees in the US government and believes a vote on Friday represents a significant step forward for early-stage and growth-focused businesses that wish to use equity crowdfunding as a platform to raise capital for their businesses.

He said: “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.

“The beta testing we are announcing today will be our first foray into the market, and we look forward to growing our presence there significantly in 2016.”

Earlier this year Seedrs entered into a strategic partnership with tennis champion Andy Murray who joined the board and in August took stakes in three companies: salad bar chain Tossed, 3D virtual reality company Trillenium and the FuelVentures Fund.