The SEC has determined that certain people, if they have enough money and/or earn enough money, are allowed to invest in anything.
The SEC calls them “accredited investors”.
The rest of us are “unaccredited investors”.
The specific rules governing crowdfunded startups say that a single person must make over $200,000 per year, and a couple must make over $300,000 per year. Alternatively, if the investor has a net worth (excluding their primary residence) of over $2,000,000, then they are an accredited investor.
Less than those numbers and you’re unaccredited.
Net worth is determined by taking the true worth of everything you own and subtracting all debt.