Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
News | Feb 26, 2024

Image: Unsplash/Austin Distel
Techstars, a leading global startup accelerator, is closing some accelerators and relocating its headquarters to New York City that have put the future of its Toronto Techstars accelerator in a state of uncertainty. This move has led to the pausing of applications for the Toronto accelerator and has sparked discussions about the impact on the local and national tech ecosystem in Canada.
The Toronto accelerator has paused its programming, with its long-serving managing director, Sunil Sharma, transitioning away after seven years. As the managing director of Techstars Toronto, Sharma has been at the forefront of supporting and nurturing startups, fostering a vibrant community of founders, investors, and tech enthusiasts. His dedication to the growth and success of Canadian startups is evident in his work with Techstars, where he has led the program to make significant investments in the Canadian tech ecosystem. Despite the changes, Techstars has expressed a continued focus on Canada, having invested in 250 Canadian startups to date such as notable fintech, Balance. The organization believes in the growth potential of Canadian companies within its global network.
Sunil Sharma told Betakit:
"Canada is a brand that resonates globally and represents an investment thesis in itself. The global diaspora is what makes us truly great, and this trend will only increase from here. I am confident that the number of Canadian companies supported by our many programs will continue to grow, as Techstars has proven itself to be a big believer in Canadian founders."
Former Techstars members and Seattle managing director Chris DeVore criticizing the group’s strategic choices which can be can be broken down into more precise concerns:
Toronto, Techstars has been a crucial player in supporting startups, and any changes to its operations could have wide-reaching implications for local founders, investors, and the broader community. The future of Techstars, amidst its strategic shifts and operational changes, is closely tied to its fundraising capabilities and its ability to adapt to the competitive landscape of startup accelerators.
With a significant fundraising round in 2019 and a $150 million fund closed in 2021, the organization's efforts to raise a second $150 million vehicle have been met with silence regarding its progress. CEO Maëlle Gavet's reluctance to comment on fundraising specifics, coupled with indications that the 2024 fund has seen some capital inflow, suggests cautious optimism about the organization's financial health and its capacity to support its revamped focus.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Policy | Feb 23, 2024

Image: Unsplash/Christian Lue
In a letter to the Financial Times, Sebastiano Toffaletti, Secretary-General of the European Digital SME Alliance, is highly concerned about the state of the European Union's digital markets, dominated by a handful of tech giants. Toffaletti's letter, published on February 20, 2024, responds to the EU's chief competition official, Olivier Guersent, and critiques the European Commission's current stance on competition enforcement. He argues for a totally new approach to tackle the monopolistic practices of Big Tech, emphasizing the existential threat they pose to small businesses and startups.
Toffaletti's call for a revolution in EU's digital market enforcement is an urgent wake-up call to address the monopolistic dominance of Big Tech. This dominance not only stifles competition but also hampers innovation and growth among European digital SMEs. By advocating for a broader consideration of the impacts of Big Tech's power, the letter urges the European Commission to adopt a more aggressive stance in fostering a fair, competitive, and innovative digital market. Stay tuned for more to come.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Funding | Feb 23, 2024

Image: Freepik/upklyak
Golden Ventures, a prominent venture capital firm based in Canada, has successfully closed over $100 million in capital commitments for its fifth fund supported by existing and new institutional partners, including BDC Capital, ECMC Group, and Deloitte Ventures. This fund is dedicated to supporting seed-stage founders who are at the forefront of technological innovation, spanning areas such as AI, climate tech, blockchain, and quantum computing. Founded in 2011 by Matt Golden, the Toronto-based firm has evolved from a mobile-focused initial fund to a sector-agnostic approach, with a particular emphasis on bolstering the Canadian tech ecosystem.
In 2023, Canadian late-stage venture capital (VC) funding experienced a significant decline for the second consecutive year, with a total investment of $6.9 billion across 660 deals, marking a 34% decrease from 2022. This downturn reflects a cautious investment climate, with a notable shift towards prioritizing profitability over growth.
Despite this, early-stage investing emerged as a resilient and vibrant sector, maintaining robust investment levels with $969 million raised across 372 deals. The report highlights a cautious sentiment within the Canadian VC community, emphasizing a strategic approach to investment and a return to pre-pandemic norms. Additionally, the year witnessed a rebound in exit activity, including a notable IPO and several mergers and acquisitions, underscoring a cautious yet strategic focus on early-stage funding and the potential for strategic exits in the future.
The commitment of Golden Ventures to inject another $100 million into Canada's tech ecosystem is a significant vote of confidence in the region's potential for technological innovation and entrepreneurship and highlights the growing importance of Canada as a hub for tech innovation globally.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Advocacy | Feb 22, 2024
Image: Freepik/rawpixel.com
Sherwood “Woodie” Neiss, a founding partner at Crowdfund Capital Advisors (CCA) who was one of the creators of the JOBS Act of 2012 (legislation that legalized investment crowdfunding), and NCFA Advisor, has sent a letter to Congressional leaders, informed by data-driven evidence, advocating for HR 2799, also known as the Expanding Access to Capital Act. This proposed legislation aims to bolster support for entrepreneurs and small businesses, thereby enhancing economic growth. The correspondence was directed to key figures within both major political parties in the U.S. House of Representatives and was in response to a letter sent by the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) opposing the legislation.
The Expanding Access to Capital Act will build upon the successes of the JOBS Act by further democratizing access to capital. This move promises to enhance economic growth, spur innovation, and support the creation of jobs, while maintaining a commitment to investor protection. Despite opposition from the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), the overwhelming evidence and support from the crowdfunding sector underscore the transformative potential of H.R. 2799.
The momentum behind H.R. 2799 and the advocacy of Crowdfund Capital Advisors underscore a collective recognition of Regulation Crowdfunding's potential to transform the landscape of capital formation in the United States. By building on the foundation laid by the JOBS Act, this legislation aims to unlock new opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors alike, fostering an environment where innovation can thrive. As we look to the future, the continued success and expansion of investment crowdfunding hold the promise of a more inclusive, dynamic, and prosperous economy for all.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Bank of Canada Report | Feb 20, 2024

Image: Freepik/blossomstar
On Feb 8, 2024, the Bank of Canada's staff released a research paper titled "Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and Banking Choices' to dig deeper into the potential impact of the BoC introducing a CBDC on the Canada's financial ecosystem. This exploratory CBDC report uncovers the nuances between digital and traditional banking, presenting a unique opportunity for stakeholders to navigate through innovation, policy-making, and banking adaptation.
For fintechs, the report signals a clear need for developing robust service networks that can support CBDC transactions, emphasizing the importance of digital infrastructure in enhancing the user experience.
Policymakers are tasked with a delicate balance, crafting regulations that promote financial stability while accommodating the transformative potential of CBDCs. The introduction of holding limits on CBDCs emerges as a key strategy to prevent the displacement of bank deposits, ensuring a harmonious integration into the existing financial system.
Banks, both large and small, are urged to adapt, potentially adjusting deposit rates and services to stay competitive in a landscape that could see significant shifts in consumer preferences towards CBDCs. The report highlights the varied impacts of CBDC introduction, with implications varying across different market segments and geographical areas, underscoring the importance of tailored approaches to policy and banking strategy.
Predicting the outcome of introducing a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) by the Bank of Canada involves considering several factors, including technological adoption rates, regulatory developments, and market adaptation. Here's a theoretical and speculative outlook:
This speculative timeline considers the gradual adoption and integration of a CBDC into Canada's financial landscape, emphasizing the collaborative effort among banks, fintechs, and policymakers to ensure a smooth transition and the realization of the potential benefits of digital currencies.
The Bank of Canada's 2024 report on CBDCs offers an examination of how a digital currency could reshape Canada's financial ecosystem. By highlighting the necessity for a broad service network and complementary financial products, setting strategic holding limits, and acknowledging the diverse impacts on various stakeholders, the report provides crucial insights for fintechs, policymakers, and banks. As Canada contemplates the CBDC's future, its design and implementation and essential need to address key risks such as privacy, data security, financial stability, and digital divide are paramount.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |