Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Karsten Wenzlaff is a Crowdfunding and Fintech Expert from Germany. He is Secretary-General of Digit[...]
Category Archives: Equity Crowdfunding, Alternative Funding
Wattpad, Wealthsimple and Overbond Join The Upside Foundation’s 150×150 Challenge to Canadian Startups to Give Back
Upside Foundation | April 4, 2017
Over 75 Canadian startups have already pledged to donate equity to charity
TORONTO, ON, April 4, 2017 — Today The Upside Foundation, a national charity that makes it easy for early-stage or high-growth Canadian companies to give back in a meaningful way, announced the launch of their campaign, 150×150: Turn Equity Into Charity. The campaign aims to grow the number of companies who have pledged to give back to 150, as we celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. Canadian startups who make the pledge will donate a small portion of their equity to The Upside Foundation (typically in the form of stock options), which are converted to cash upon a liquidity event and donated to the charity of the company’s choosing. The Upside Foundation is also announcing several prominent Canadian startups who have taken the Upside pledge, including Wattpad, the Toronto-based entertainment company for original stories, as the first company to kick-off the 150×150 challenge.
“The Upside Foundation provides an easy solution for both early-stage startups and high-growth companies who want to give back but don’t necessarily have the time or money,” said Rob Antoniades, Board Chair and Co-founder of The Upside Foundation. “Through this national campaign, we hope to empower 150 Canadian startups to take the pledge to donate a portion of their equity and help build a stronger future for Canada.”
The Upside Foundation is partnered with Pledge 1%, a global movement founded by the Salesforce Foundation and others to inspire companies around the world about the benefits of early stage corporate philanthropy. Through Pledge 1%, over 1800 companies have donated one per cent of their equity, people or product to charity. In Canada, over 75 companies have already taken the Upside pledge, including Hubba, which raised Series B in funding in December 2016. New members include Wattpad, Wealthsimple, and Overbond, with additional members to be announced leading up to Canada’s 150th birthday.
“At Wattpad, we believe startups aren’t just about profits, they’re about giving back to communities, at home and abroad. We’ve already made a remarkable impact on millions of people’s lives around the world. Today, we pledge to join the 150×150 campaign to demonstrate our continued commitment to positive social impact,” said Allen Lau, Wattpad co-founder and CEO. “Whether you’re in the early stages or a well-established start-up nearing exit, it always makes sense to support charities that serve your users and mean something to your team. If you haven’t already joined the Upside Foundation, what are you waiting for? Join the 150×150 campaign today!”
Any Canadian startup or private high-growth company can take the Upside pledge by committing stock options or warrants that will be converted to cash at the time of an exit or IPO, and donated to a registered Canadian charity.
“I’ve always believed in giving back to the community,” said Vuk Magdelinic, CEO of Overbond. “I’m proud that we have now found a way to make Overbond’s success mean that charities in the community will win alongside us.”
To date, there have been two exits from the Upside network, including BlueCat Networks, which sold for $400 million in February 2017; BlueCat CEO, Michael Harris donated the proceeds from a portion of his stock options to the Enbridge® Ride to Conquer Cancer® benefiting the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. The first company to exit was Understoodit, who was acquired by EventMobi in 2013 and donated their equity proceeds to the East York Learning Experience and Mentoring Junior Kids Organization. The Upside Foundation is led by a coast to coast Board of Directors and Advisory Board of industry leaders and partners with leading incubators, accelerators and investors – creating a supportive community for members to be a part of.
See: 2017 Canadian Online Funding Directory
“People work at startups because they want to effect change, and the Upside Foundation enables startup employees to have a meaningful impact on their community,” said Mike Katchen, founder and CEO of Wealthsimple. “Our team is proud to join the 150×150 challenge.”
How Companies Can Take the Pledge
The Upside Foundation encourages Canadian companies to join those who have already taken the pledge.
- Companies will need to fill out the online pledge form found on The Upside Foundation’s website and a representative will be in touch.
- Once the pledge form is received, companies will receive detailed instructions on how to contribute from an ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) or a simple legal form, with flexibility depending on the stage of the company.
Social Links
Website: upsidefoundation.ca/
Instagram: instagram.com/upsidefoundation/
Twitter: twitter.com/sharetheupside
Hashtag: #150×150
Facebook: facebook.com/The-Upside-Foundation-of-Canada-409389922465814/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company-beta/3205708
About The Upside Foundation
The Upside Foundation is a charitable organization that allows startups to give back by donating equity in their company to Canadian charities. Early stage companies pledge stock options or warrants to The Upside Foundation, convertible into a small portion of equity.
To learn more about The Upside Foundation visit: www.upsidefoundation.ca
The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a cross-Canada non-profit actively engaged with both social and investment crowdfunding stakeholders across the country. NCFA Canada provides education, research, leadership, support and networking opportunities to over 1500+ members and works closely with industry, government, academia, community and eco-system partners and affiliates to create a strong and vibrant crowdfunding industry in Canada. Learn more at ncfacanada.org.
AngelList Syndicates now available to startups and investors across Canada
Betakit | | Mar 28, 2017
Last October, BetaKit reported on the long-awaited arrival of AngelList Syndicates to Canada, albeit in limited form, following the Ontario Securities Commission’s (OSC) decision to allow Ontario investors to lead and participate in AngelList Syndicates as part of a two-year trial program. Back then, AngelList’s advisor to Canada, Alex Norman, said it would be “just a matter of time until it’s across Canada.”
“Founders are building great companies from coast to coast and we can now help them succeed.”
As of today, AngelList Syndicates are available across Canada. Any Canadian startup can now raise funds on the platform, and accredited Canadian investors can now apply to invest on the platform (unsure if you’d qualify? read our extensive breakdown of how AngelList works).
“We are excited that the CSA [Canadian Securities Administrators] has approved AngelList Syndicates countrywide,” Norman told BetaKit. “Founders are building great companies from coast to coast and we can now help them succeed by providing access to capital/funding via the AngelList platform.”
See: Angel investing was always male-dominated. That’s finally changing
As part of the October announcement, Creative Destruction Lab and NEXT Canada were identified as the two launch members of the OSC’s Approved Incubator Program, which allows investors to invest in a subset of companies and not count towards the Ontario investor limit (more on that here). Since then, the OCE and YEDI have been added to the AIP list, and is looking to take applications from organizations across Canada. Interested incubators, accelerators, “technology transfer offices” and organizations that meet the criteria listed below should drop AngelList a line via email.
Continue to the full article --> here
The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a cross-Canada non-profit actively engaged with both social and investment crowdfunding stakeholders across the country. NCFA Canada provides education, research, leadership, support and networking opportunities to over 1500+ members and works closely with industry, government, academia, community and eco-system partners and affiliates to create a strong and vibrant crowdfunding industry in Canada. Learn more at ncfacanada.org.
Are Overseas Portals the Next Big Thing in US Equity Crowdfunding?
Crowdfund Insider | By | March 21, 2017
Much excitement has been generated with the enactment of Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) and the ability of non-accredited investors to invest in startup companies in the United States. The SEC recently reported that while early capital raising efforts is still growing, Regulation Crowdfunding has provided a new mechanism for small, domestic issuers to raise capital that was previously unavailable.
There is speculation that soon, with a Republican Administration in Washington focused on deregulation, Regulation Crowdfunding may be a “huge” beneficiary, including an expansion permitting an issuer to raise $5 or perhaps even $10 million per annum, rather than the current $1 million limit. While a common complaint during its first year is that the issuers themselves must be domestic United States companies, the same does not hold true for crowdfunding portals.
Regulation Crowdfunding specifically permits “nonresident” funding portals to operate in the United States.
A nonresident funding portal is a funding portal incorporated in or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside of the United States, or having its principal place of business in any place not in the United States. Thus you can operate overseas and still be permitted to engage in business as a U.S. funding portal.
See: Title III Crowdfunding For Real, Part I
Nonresident portals can quickly broaden US crowdfunding efforts to overseas, and raise foreign investor (crowd) capital for US companies. This together with the benefit that a crowdfunding portal is specifically exempt from broker-dealer registration under Exchange Act section 15(a), provides ample incentive to foreign entrepreneurs to seek to participate in US small issuer capital formation.
Nonresident funding portals share the same benefits as domestic funding portals, including the right to post offerings on their portal and receive transaction-based compensation (commission and equity) for their services. Nonresident funding portals may even have a competitive advantage in accessing capital for US crowdfunding offerings. MrCrowd.com and its CEO Allen Au, based in Hong Kong, appear to be the first nonresident funding portal to see an opportunity and become registered with FINRA.
For the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to permit nonresident funding portals to be based outside of the US, the portals must be subject to SEC and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) regulation. Registration of a nonresident portal is conditioned on an information sharing arrangement in place between the SEC and the competent regulator in the jurisdiction under the laws where the nonresident funding portal is organized or has its principal place of business.
Continue to the full article --> here
The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a cross-Canada non-profit actively engaged with both social and investment crowdfunding stakeholders across the country. NCFA Canada provides education, research, leadership, support and networking opportunities to over 1500+ members and works closely with industry, government, academia, community and eco-system partners and affiliates to create a strong and vibrant crowdfunding industry in Canada. Learn more at ncfacanada.org.
[Montreal FrontFundr Event Mar 29]: Collecte de fonds en ligne : Votre nouvelle alternative de financement
FrontFundr | Jill Earthy | March 22, 2017
Raising Capital Online: The New Funding Option
Collecte de fonds en ligne : Votre nouvelle alternative de financement
Wednesday, March 29th/Mercredi 29 mars: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
McMillan LLP, 1000 Sherbooke O./W., #2700, Montréal
Register here: https://frontfundr5a7montreal.eventbrite.ca
Cet événement est une occasion pour les entreprises, les investisseurs potentiels et tous les curieux de se rencontrer, et de parler de l'opportunité de lever du capital en ligne ainsi que de l’investissement participatif au Canada.
Venez donc rencontrer le CEO de la plateforme de Frontfundr, Peter-Paul Van Hoeken, de passage à Montréal afin d'en apprendre davantage sur la levée de capitaux en ligne. Faites vite, les places sont limitées!
This event is the occasion for companies, potential investors, and those who are simply curious to come out, network, and learn all about the opportunities of raising capital online and the equity crowdfunding landscape in Canada.
Come and meet the CEO of the Frontfundr platform, Peter-Paul Van Hoeken, to learn more about raising capital online.Please RSVP in advance, as space is limited!
The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a cross-Canada non-profit actively engaged with both social and investment crowdfunding stakeholders across the country. NCFA Canada provides education, research, leadership, support and networking opportunities to over 1500+ members and works closely with industry, government, academia, community and eco-system partners and affiliates to create a strong and vibrant crowdfunding industry in Canada. Learn more at ncfacanada.org.
The crowdfunded electric sports car: Dubuc Motors courts investors
Canadian Manufacturing | Cleantech Canada | Mar 2, 2017
Interested individuals can own a stake in the company behind the world's first four-seater electric sports car for US$200
MENLO PARK, Cali.—You can own a stake in automotive history for as little as US$200.
Dubuc Motors Inc., the company behind the Tomahawk—the world’s first four-seater electric sports car—has announced the live offering phase of its equity crowdfunding campaign.
After gaining approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission, American automaker Dubuc Motors can now sell equity shares to accredited and unaccredited investors through its website, allowing people to invest in the U.S. and internationally. The minimum investment is $200.
“We have been pleased with the response from the crowd. It’s exciting to see a community of game changers and trendsetters jump on board as shareholders of our company early on,” said Mike Kakogiannakis, co-founder of Dubuc Motors.
The 370-mile range Tomahawk accommodates the big and tall, seating drivers up to 6’5″ comfortably. The rear seats and front and rear cargo space also provide the Tomahawk with more utility than other luxury sports cars.
See:
-
Disruption and Conversations Took Over at the NCFA Conference in Toronto
-
How Quebec’s Dubuc Motors is using U.S. equity crowdfunding to bring you a flashy, fast electric car
“People have embraced the idea that the Tomahawk, although an exotic sports car, can be as practical as a sedan,” said Kakogiannakis.
Dubuc’s first commercialized model is currently the only four-seater electric car on the market that goes 0-60 mph in under four seconds and sells for under $150,000.
You can own a Tomahawk for $125,000. Dubuc is currently accepting $5,000 deposits, and first deliveries are expected in 2018.
Continue to the full article --> here
The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a cross-Canada non-profit actively engaged with both social and investment crowdfunding stakeholders across the country. NCFA Canada provides education, research, leadership, support and networking opportunities to over 1500+ members and works closely with industry, government, academia, community and eco-system partners and affiliates to create a strong and vibrant crowdfunding industry in Canada. Learn more at ncfacanada.org.
Exploration company jumps on crowdfunding bandwagon
BIV | By Tyler Nyquvest March 14, 2017
B.C.-based Kal Minerals is first junior miner in Canada to take advantage of platform
Though still gaining traction in Western Canada, crowdfunding is now being tapped by all types of industries as a leg up for accelerated growth.
B.C.-based junior mining company Kal Minerals Corp. has turned to Vested Technology Corp.’s online crowdfunding platform to build out its portfolio and expand the company.
“Kal Minerals is the first exploration company in Canada that is using the crowdfunding exemption offered by the British Columbia Securities Commission,” said David Patterson, chief operating officer at Vested.
Vested is a Vancouver-based startup crowdfunding platform that is not registered under Canadian securities legislation.
“The portal,” Patterson said, “allows a passageway for private companies to meet with private investors to fund small amounts of money through many investors, up to $250,000 twice a year.”
Equity crowdfunding has been legal in B.C. since May 2015, but he said this is the first time the option has been used this way in the province.
“This is definitely a milestone for junior exploration in B.C., but also for people that want to see how crowdfunding works at the grassroots level.”
See: 2017 Canadian Online Funding Directory
“Ray played football for SFU, so I’ve known him from a few different walks of life,” Patterson said. “I also played football at the school.” Wladichuk, who played in the Canadian Football League for two years before starting Kal Minerals, studied engineering at SFU with a focus on alternative energy. He obtained his degree in earth sciences. His company is focused on aluminum alloys and other related metals and minerals. “We are trying to build a portfolio of good projects,“ Wladichuk said. That portfolio begins with the option of earning 100% interest in the Jack White property in B.C.’s New Westminster mining division, between Merritt and Hope.
“This B.C. property has great copper numbers and is in a regional scandium-high area, which is the best aluminum-strengthening alloy,” said Wladichuk. “We’ve already raised $70,000 for exploration, which is Step 1 for building this company up.”
The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a cross-Canada non-profit actively engaged with both social and investment crowdfunding stakeholders across the country. NCFA Canada provides education, research, leadership, support and networking opportunities to over 1500+ members and works closely with industry, government, academia, community and eco-system partners and affiliates to create a strong and vibrant crowdfunding industry in Canada. Learn more at ncfacanada.org.
Presentation Decks from #CCS2017 (for Attendees ONLY)
Thank you for attending the 2017 Canadian Crowdfinancing Summit (#CCS2017)!
CCS2017 Presentation Decks Available for Attendees Only (otherwise Confidential)
FEB 28: Pre-Summit Workshops (OneEleven)
- FundingNomad Session: Profit-Sharing or Royalty Deals for Investors & Issuers (download)
- Crowdmatrix Showcase:
- BrightSpark Ventures Workshop: How to Invest in Early Stage Companies (download)
- R2Crowd Presentation: How to Invest in Real Estate if You Don't have a Rich Uncle? (download)
MAR 1: CCS2017 Summit (MaRS)
- Morning Keynote: Equity Crowdfinance: Past, Present and Future by Ryan Feit, SeedInvest (download)
- Show me the Money: How We Raised USD $100+ Million (Art or Science?)
by Zach Smith, Funded Today (download) - Canadian and Global Alternative Finance Markets: Volume, Trends and Key Indicators by E.J. Reedy of University of Chicago - Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Alixe Cormick of Venture Law Corp and Daryl Hatton of FundRazr (download)
- Blockchain ICOs: The Future of Online Investing or Regulatory Crisis? by Alan Wunsche, Blockchain Canada (download)
- How Online Funding Platforms Give Voice to a Shared Value Economy by Paul Allard, Impak Finance (download)
- Marketplace Lending: Made for the People, By the People by Cato Pastoll, Lending Loop (download)
- Growing Your Business Faster with Diversity by Tabitha Creighton, iQMetrix and Eva Wong, Borrowell (download)
- Industry Experts and National Regulatory Perspectives: What to Expect in 2017? by Jason Saltzman, (Gowling WLG), Pat Chaukos (OSC LaunchPad), Elliott Mak and Zach Masum (BCSC), Denise Weeres (ASC), and Gabriel Araish (AMF) (download OSC deck)
- LUNCH & LEARN: Strategies to Protect Your Revenue by Securing Intellectual Property (IP) Rights before Launching by Tony Sebata, Sabeta IP (download)
- Regulatory Presentation and Q&A: FINTECH & P2P/ONLINE LENDING
- Bootstrapping: From Concept to Revenue Under in 9 Months for Under $4k by Timothy Jodoin, Edispin (download)
- Regulatory Presentation and Q&A: EQUITY CROWDFUNDING/FINANCE by Gabriel Araish (AMF), Elliott Mak (BCSC), Gloria Tsang (OSC), and Denise Weeres (ASC) (download)
- Applying Design Thinking to Maximize Interaction on Your Website (Coming soon)
- How I Created an Automated Networking Machine to Meet Hundreds of Investors & VCs by Joshua Fetcher, Autopilot (download)
- Post-Crowdfunding Best Practices: How to Deliver On Time On Budget - Everything you need to Know by Gareth Everard (Rockwell Razors), Owen MacMullin (DHL Canada), and Mary-Rose Sutton (Shopify) (download)
- The Future of Fintech: Is Canada becoming a World Class Fintech Hub? by Sue Britton (Fintech Growth Syndicate), Bilal Khan (OneEleven), Jake Hirsch-Allen (LinkedIn), Jim Orlando (Omers Ventures), Amelia Young (Upside Consulting Group) and Philippe Garneau (BWG Brand Engineering) (download)
- CLOSING KEYNOTE: Transformative Strategies and Insights for Alternative Finance Market Growth by Martin Graham (Fineqia and London Stock Exchange) (download)
Live Pitching Presentation Decks (MaRS):
- Seedlify by Sam Kawtharani (download)
- Tripian by Cenan Yunusoglu (download) *Session 1 Pitch Winner
- XYZ Interactive (UVolt replacement) by Michael Kosic (download)
- Curexe by Johnathan Holland (download)
- Knote by Ron Glozman (download) *Session 2 Pitch Winner
- Zoom.ai by Roy Pereira (download)
- DashMD by Zack Fisch (download) *Session 3 Pitch Winner
- Better Current by Colin Campbell (download)
- CertClean by Jenise Lee (download)
- ShareWiz by Oz Demirel (download)
- Emerge by Alexandru Horghidan (download) *Session 4 Pitch Winner
- Triclops Technologies by Meng Xi Zhu (download)
Congratulations to the 4 live pitching companies:
Tripian (Cenan Yunusoglu), Knote (Ron Glozman), Dash MD (Zack Fisch), and Emerge (Alexandru Horghidan)!
Other links you may be interested in:
s
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR #CCS2017 SPONSORS AND PARTNERS!
The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a cross-Canada non-profit actively engaged with both social and investment crowdfunding stakeholders across the country. NCFA Canada provides education, research, leadership, support and networking opportunities to over 1500+ members and works closely with industry, government, academia, community and eco-system partners and affiliates to create a strong and vibrant crowdfunding industry in Canada. Learn more at ncfacanada.org.
