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
Indiegogo Announces Equity Investing For All
Indiegogo Blog | Nov 15, 2016
Indiegogo: We’re excited to introduce a new equity crowdfunding service that gives anyone the power to invest in startups. We’ve partnered with MicroVentures, a leader in the equity crowdfunding space, to introduce this platform that gives everyone access to invest in innovative startups and growing companies.
Unlike rewards-based crowdfunding, with equity crowdfunding, individuals receive company shares, not just perks, in exchange for their equity investment. Not only can businesses gain the crucial help they need from a broader pool of funders—but investors can support business they believe in, and can even benefit financially if a company goes on to greater heights.
See:
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Indiegogo Could Soon Dominate Equity Crowdfunding
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Presentation Deck: 2016 Small Business Forum Crowdfunding 101+ Workshop
Equity crowdfunding only exists because the equity crowdfunding rules passed by the Securities and Exchange Commision (SEC) as part of the 2012 JOBS Act allow anyone the opportunity to invest in companies online. Previously, only a select group of accredited investors that met a certain wealth threshold could invest in early-stage private companies.
We founded Indiegogo based on the idea that everyone should be able to get the funding they need to turn their idea into reality. We were proud to be involved in helping craft the 2012 JOBS ACT and firmly believe access to capital shouldn’t be restricted to a small, select group of individuals.
Now you (yes, you!) have a chance to invest in new technologies and ideas, with potential financial returns. We work directly with entrepreneurs across industries, so you can partner with the innovative startups that interest you most.
Investing in startups means you may own a piece of the company and are along for the ride, with all the ups and downs. You may not have a seat at the boardroom table, but you can help a great idea come to life.
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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 1450+ 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.
AltFi Data sees UK equity crowdfunding market shrinking in 2016 for first time
SME Weekly | Juana Wells | Nov 11, 2016
The UK equity crowdfunding market is set to close 2016 with more than £130 million new equity issuance, posting a slowdown in momentum for the first time, according to a report of financial markets analytics provider AltFi Data. The segment is expected to facilitate young companies in the UK raise more than £130 million growth capital in 2016.
“Our extrapolation suggests that 2016 looks set to be the first year in which the full year origination amount is dwarfed by the previous year,” AltFi Data’s report read.
The report includes data for all equity crowdfunding in the UK from 2011 (when when the industry was started), covering a total of 955 equity crowdfunding rounds and 751 companies. The data refers to six platforms that offer equity crowdfunding services – Crowdcube, Seedrs, SyndicateRoom, Venture Founders, Code Investing (previously CrowdBnk), and Angels Den, the last one of which was new addition for 2016.
Since 2011, the sector has provided over £368 million of equity capital to growing UK companies.
In Q3 2016 alone, the equity crowdfunding market also slowed down. The uncertain environment, including the Brexit vote, made UK businesses, especially those in early stage of development, reconsider their plans concerning equity issuance, since this type of financing instrument involves significant planning.
See: Brexit blamed for fall in crowdfunding deals
AltFi Data’s report indicated only three platforms contributed to the equity crowdfunding volume in the July-September period. There is a marked shift towards the larger players in the third quarter, while a number of the smaller platforms have not funded any new deals during the three months.
“If confidence returns in Q4, there may be pent up demand and a ready pipeline of deals on hold to drive a re-acceleration in Q4. But, without a rebound, the industry may need to re-adjust for a lower rate of growth, and that could mean a shake out of the smaller players,” AltFin Data said in the report.
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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 1450+ 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.
Ontario Securities Commission and Australian financial regulator sign fintech agreement
Canadian Underwriter | Nov 4, 2016
The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) have signed a new agreement under which fintech companies in Australia and Ontario “will be able to draw on support from the combined resources of their financial regulators as they seek to operate in the others’ market.”
Under the agreement, signed in Toronto this week, ASIC and OSC will refer to one another those businesses seeking to enter the others’ market, OSC explained in a press release issued earlier this week. “The regulators may provide support to innovative businesses before, during and after authorization to help reduce regulatory uncertainty and time to market,” the release said.
The agreement follows the creation of the Innovation Hub at ASIC in April 2015 and the OSC LaunchPad in October 2016. These initiatives were established to help businesses with innovative ideas navigate financial/securities regulation, support them through the authorization process and ease their engagement with the regulator.
See: AngelList Syndicates finally launches in Canada via new OSC program (with some caveats)
To qualify for the support offered by the agreement, businesses need to meet the eligibility criteria of their home regulator. Once referred by the regulator, and ahead of applying for authorization to operate in the new market, the business will have access to dedicated staff that will help them to understand the regulatory framework in the market they wish to join, and how it applies to them.
ASIC and OSC have also committed to share information on emerging trends in each other’s markets and the potential impact on regulation.
Maureen Jensen, chair and CEO of the OSC, said in the release that OSC Launchpad, unveiled on Oct. 24, “is the first dedicated team by a securities regulator in Canada to help fintech businesses navigate securities law requirements and accelerate time-to-market. Today’s agreement – another first for a Canadian securities regulator – reflects our commitment to improving the regulatory experience for emerging businesses that are offering innovative services, products and applications of benefit to investors,” Jensen said.
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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 1300+ 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.
Katipult named Canada’s most innovative Fintech company
Digital Journal - Katipult Release | Oct 2016
Canada’s technology sector can proudly speak of a number of homegrown giants disrupting online sectors from social media management (Hootsuite), to web browsing (Mozilla Firefox), ecommerce (Shopify), and also workplace chat (Slack). Katipult is looking to be placed amongst these names as the dominant Canadian player in Financial Technology (Fintech).
Katipult is proprietary cloud-based software infrastructure that allows firms in private capital markets to design, setup, and manage an Investment Crowdfunding, Peer 2 Peer Lending, or Investor Management platform. The software provides unparalleled adaptability for regulatory compliance, asset structures, business model, and localization requirements. Katipult boasts compliant platforms in over 20 unique regulatory environments.
See: VersaPay Signs Partnership Agreement With Katipult To Bring Secure Investment Crowdfunding Software To The Canadian Market
Private capital markets are plagued with operational inefficiencies and detailed compliance requirements which presents a huge opportunity for firms looking to remove these pain points. As the largest banking institutions in the world look to harness Fintech into their operations, Katipult is positioning itself in the right place at the right time.
Unlike many disruptive tech companies that come from tech hubs like San Francisco, New York, or Singapore, Katipult was founded in Calgary, Canada in the shadows of the Oil & Gas sector. “If you work in Calgary’s business district you most likely work in Oil & Gas so the support ecosystem is very different than what you would see in the Valley” says Brock Murray CEO of Katipult. That doesn’t mean you’re at a disadvantage, as Calgary is an amazing city with a strong financial sector and entrepreneurial spirit.
Katipult was recently featured in Calgary Economic Development’s “National Be Part of the Energy Campaign”, highlighting the company as one of the up-and-comers in the city. In previous years, Katipult also won RBC’s Emerging Enterprise of the Year Award. “Anytime you’re recognized for your efforts it’s great” said Murray. “We’re hoping we’ll be able to collaborate closer with Canada’s large financial institutions as there are many complimentary opportunities both domestically and internationally.”
Katipult deals with dozens of API integrations into our software from other leading Fintech companies including KYC & AML background checks, big data analytics & smart messaging, payment processing, contract creation & electronic signature. Its most recent initiatives dealing with secondary trading and blockchain technology are likely turning heads within traditional finance firms and banks as the level of sophistication and the speed it can setup a client platform will disrupt the current landscape dramatically.
Read more 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 1300+ 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.
Atlantic Canada ripe for investment expert
Jonathan Medved flew into Halifax on Sunday afternoon, and by Sunday night he was talking about the companies he’d like to invest in.
Medved, the founder of the Israeli-based equity crowdfunding platform OurCrowd, was in Halifax to address Startup Grind Halifax, which brings speakers into the city. And he told the 60 attendees at his talk that he’d already met two companies — one a data analytics company, the other an agricultural technology venture — that he is interested in backing.
He went on to say that the conditions in Canada in general and Atlantic Canada in particular are such that there are likely to be more investments.
He said the technology is incredibly advanced in this country, but there is a lack of capital to get new technological products to market.
“We will do deals here,” he said in a discussion with Startup Grind Halifax Founder Oleg Yefymov. “We will probably build a Canadian fund because the quality of the companies (in Canada) is so far ahead of the capital that’s being formed here that the opportunity is really attractive.”
Medved, an American who has invested in more than 100 Israeli startups, had the goal of establishing a platform that allows investors to invest in startups on the same terms as major venture capital funds. So he launched OurCrowd, which lets accredited investors (roughly, those with more than $1 million in investable assets) to get in on these deals. The fund now has 15,000 investors who have invested in more than 100 companies (including two in Canada) and had 10 exits.
The Washington Post called him “one of Israel’s leading high-tech venture capitalists.”
See: Israeli crowdfunding co OurCrowd raises $72m
In 2008, the New York Times Supplement Israel at 60 called Medved one of the 10 most influential Americans who have has an impact on Israel.
So it was heartening that he repeatedly said that he was so impressed with the companies he’d witnessed in his few hours in Halifax.
He said the next generation of successful startups will be be dominated by deep technology — not mobile or social, but big data, robotics, artificial intelligence and the like. It will be comprised of complicated systems that have complex and far-reaching industrial applications.
“I think you guys (in Atlantic Canada) are well placed because when you think of all the big data stuff and the oceans stuff that you have here — that is the hard stuff to produce,” said Medved.
He mentioned that he had been told of as many as 10 companies that sounded interesting and he hoped to learn about more.
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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 1300+ 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.
ASC adopts Crowdfunding rule enabling Alberta’s small and medium businesses to raise capital online
ASC Release | October 31, 2016
CALGARY, Oct. 31, 2016 /CNW/ - The Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) announced today that it has adopted Multilateral Instrument 45-108 Crowdfunding (MI 45-108). The new rule is available immediately and introduces a crowdfunding prospectus exemption for issuers as well as a registration framework for funding portals.
The implementation of MI 45-108 follows the recent adoption of ASC Rule 45-517 Prospectus Exemption for Start-up Businesses (ASC Rule 45-517), which was introduced to help facilitate Alberta-based small or start-up issuers seeking to raise modest amounts of capital from Alberta investors. MI 45-108 is viewed to be complementary with ASC Rule 45-517 and is designed to accommodate moderate financings being raised strictly through an online funding portal across multiple jurisdictions in Canada.
See: NCFA Response to ASC Request for comments 45-108
"Small and medium-sized businesses have unique needs and often limited resources. We believe that the introduction of these rules creates an attractive financing platform for these companies to raise funds locally and across Canada, while at the same time providing an appropriate level of investor protection," said Stan Magidson, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the ASC.
The key elements of the two regimes are outlined briefly below. Details on ASC Rule 45-517 and MI 45-108 can be found on the ASC website at www.albertasecurities.com.
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ASC Rule 45-517 |
MI 45-108 |
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Investment Limits (per investor) |
$1,500/distribution $5,000 with positive suitability advice from a registered dealer |
$2,500/distribution $25,000 for accredited investors |
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Offering Limits |
$250,000 per offering Maximum 2 offerings/year Lifetime limit $1,000,000 |
$1,500,000/12 months |
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Online Funding Portals |
No registration exemption Use of funding portal not required |
Must use a registered funding portal |
The ASC is the regulatory agency responsible for administering the province's securities laws. It is entrusted with fostering a fair and efficient capital market in Alberta and with protecting investors. As a member of the Canadian Securities Administrators, the ASC works to improve, coordinate and harmonize the regulation of Canada's capital markets.
SOURCE Alberta Securities Commission 
For further information: please contact: For Media Inquiries: Nicole Tuncay, Senior Advisor, Investor Education, 403.297.4008; For Investor Inquiries: ASC Public Inquiries, Toll Free 1.877.355.4488
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 1300+ 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.
Canadian firms included in ranking of world’s 100 top fintech companies
H2 Ventures | Oct 25, 2016
The financial services industry is facing a wave of digital disruption that is starting to reshape the sector. The Fintech 100 celebrates the top companies this bold new space: the 50 leading established players creating change within financial services, and 50 of the emerging fintech stars of tomorrow. The Fintech 100 offers an in-depth view of the most exciting startups and organisations taking advantage of technology to revolutionise the industry. The report is a collaborative effort between H2 Ventures and KPMG.
Download the report --> 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 1300+ 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.
