Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025

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[restab title="Overview" active="active"]
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Seeking volunteers for VanFUNDING 2015 - sign up here!
VanFUNDING 2015 is the leading Crowdfunding conference in Western Canada for innovative ventures and businesses seeking to raise seed and growth capital from online crowdfunding markets. Get VanFUNDED! Learn and connect with Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Private Capital Networks and Investors. Join the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada, sponsors and presenting partners on Tuesday, September 29 in downtown Vancouver for an immersive and interactive half-day event including TEDx style storytelling, start-up pitches, expert presentations and panelists, followed by a networking reception with mentoring opportunities. This is an exclusive opportunity to learn, network and be mentored by crowdfunding-fintech experts and investors in Canada interested to help businesses achieve funding success and scale.
The British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) and Group of 6 provinces recently adopted the Start-up Exemption on May 14, 2015, enabling startups and early-stage companies in these jurisdictions to now raise up to $500,000 per calendar year through online funding portals. Crowdfunding markets and fintech companies are exploding with entrepreneurs, investors, third party providers and experts who are keen to take advantage of a promising and brand new fundraising channel for small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
Following the success of the sold out inaugural 2015 Canadian Crowdfunding Summit on March 3 in Toronto, VanFUNDING 2015 is about igniting venture funding opportunities in Western Canada together with industry and ecosystem partners to share the newest developments, thought leadership, and assist and connect entrepreneurs that are actively raising capital.
| TIME | EVENT PROGRAMMING |
|---|---|
| 12:30 — 12:50 PM |
Registration, Networking and Exhibitor tables |
| 12:50 — 1:00 PM |
Welcome and Opening Remarks | MC
|
| 1:00 — 2:10 PM |
Stories from the Edge: (TEDx style presentations)
|
| 2:10 — 2:20 PM |
Stretch Break (10 mins)
|
| 2:20 - 2:50 PM |
Panel: Role of Crowdfunding, Innovative Ventures and Funding Options
|
| 2:50 - 3:20 PM |
Presentations: Crowdfunding regulations in BC, Canada and the US
|
| 3:20 - 3:35 PM |
Networking Break (15mins)
|
| 3:35 - 4:00 PM |
Panel: Equity Platforms (Raising capital online)
|
| 4:00 - 4:25 PM |
Fireside: Lending Platforms (Consumer & Business Loans)
|
| 4:25 - 4:50 PM |
Presentation: Equity Crowdfunding & Tax - Making the most of every dollar raised
|
| 4:50 - 5:00 PM |
Closing Remarks
|
| 5:00 — 7:00 PM * |
Networking Reception at Library Square Public House*300 West Georgia St. (next to Library Square)
|
1. Learn insights, market trends and essential education to help your business get funded: Global crowdfunding, fintech and alternative finance markets continue to grow rapidly playing a significant role in mobilizing capital and resources to help launch and scale new ventures, social enterprises, small businesses and high growth SMEs. Has crowdfunding reached an industry tipping point (read UK Crowdcube founder's perspective here)?
2. Learn about regulatory changes and options in BC, Canada and the US: The Canadian crowdfunding industry is poised for growth with 6 provinces recently adopting the new Start-up Exemption (see ‘Canadian Securities Breakthrough’), a financing instrument aimed at enabling start-ups and available to both new crowdfunding portals and existing Exempt Market Dealers (EMDs):
3. Network with and get mentored by leading industry experts: Discuss your questions with various experts (e.g., crowdfunding platforms, transactional providers, start-up mentors and consultants) and peers in a speed mentoring format. Connect with peers that can assist your company to tap into emerging capital raising, marketing, financial/business planning and infrastructure services and opportunities.
Click to view our previous events: here
Click to view Mar 3, Inaugural 2015 Canadian Crowdfunding Summit: Infographic | Post event report
Click to view May 28, Toronto Networking Event on the EVP rooftop patio: Photo Album
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 950+ 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 About Us or visit ncfacanada.org.
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[restab title="Agenda + Speakers"]
| TIME | EVENT PROGRAMMING |
|---|---|
| 12:30 — 12:50 PM |
Registration, Networking and Exhibitor tables |
| 12:50 — 1:00 PM |
Welcome and Opening Remarks
|
| 1:00 — 2:10 PM |
Stories from the Edge: (TEDx style presentations)
|
| 2:10 — 2:20 PM |
Stretch Break (10 mins)
|
| 2:20 - 2:50 PM |
Panel: Role of Crowdfunding, Innovative Ventures and Funding Options
|
| 2:50 - 3:20 PM |
Presentations: Crowdfunding regulations in BC, Canada and the US
|
| 3:20 - 3:35 PM |
Networking Break (15mins)
|
| 3:35 - 4:00 PM |
Panel: Equity Platforms (Raising capital online)
|
| 4:00 - 4:25 PM |
Fireside: Lending Platforms (Consumer & Business Loans)
|
| 4:25 - 4:50 PM |
Presentation: Equity Crowdfunding & Tax - Making the most of every dollar raised
|
| 4:50 - 5:00 PM |
Closing Remarks
|
| 5:00 — 7:00 PM * |
Networking Reception at Library Square Public House*300 West Georgia St. (next to Library Square)
|
*Only interested in the Networking Reception? Tickets may be purchased separately for $25 each.
Seeking volunteers for VanFUNDING 2015 - sign up here!
Alex Alexandrov is a pioneer in the crypto-currency community and is well versed in financial markets where his history includes five years as a technical Forex and Options trader and EA developer before taking the helm of CoinPayments. Alex was also an early participant in the mining ecosystem with Coincable.com, an online BitCoin mining hardware supply store based out of Vancouver – which took BitCoin payments — and thus, the early path for creating a Crypto-Payment Processing business was set. Alex brings over 15 years of combined experience in IT and business management to his latest venture as CEO of Coinpayments.net, the largest payment processor of Alt. Coins (Bitcoin, Litcoin, and other alternative crypto-currency) and the 3rd largest Crypto Payment processor globally. Coinpayments’ services are used by over 16,000 vendors across 152 countries and offer price calculations in 23 fiat (national) currencies via it’s simple “Pay” buttons, open source shopping cart plugins or API.
Alixe Cormick is the founder of Venture Law Corporation in Vancouver, BC. Alixe concentrates her legal practice in the areas of initial public offerings, follow-on offerings, reverse takeovers, capital pool corporations, qualifying transactions, mergers & acquisitions, secondary listings and exempt market financings.Alixe has assisted over 150 companies listing on stock exchanges and trading boards in North America. Alixe has registered four broker dealers in Canada and has acted as outside legal counsel to three Canadian mutual funds. Alixe is also an active angel investor. Alixe has been a speaker at several conferences in Canada discussing the legal aspects of crowdfunding.
Bernd Petak is an entrepreneur, advisor, mentor, corporate director and investment professional to early and mid-stage internet-driven technology companies and their investors. Bernd is a former Deloitte partner, due diligence officer, investor and two-time startup founder. He is co-founder and COO of Finstripe, a network for global enterprise-level financing professionals and sits on the board of directors for Screenscape, a leading provider of internet-delivered digital signage technology.
A visionary in alternative funding, Bret started Canada’s first crowdfunding platform in 2008 and then helped FundRazr become a top 10 global platform. He has been frequently quoted in the press on crowdfunding and marketing and he blogs for IT Business.ca. Bret has founded and collaborated on several technology start-ups and his clients have included: Small Business BC, New Ventures BC, BC Innovation Council, Community Futures, Vancouver Enterprise Forum, NSERC, Strategic Exits and Angel Forum. As Ambassador to the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada, Bret has produced numerous events, assisted in advocacy efforts and futhered the interests of the burgeoning alternative funding sector. Recent speaking engagements have included: VIATEC, Innovation Guelph, Net Tuesday and Funding Road Show events across Canada. Bret has 25 years of software, start-up and consumer brand expertise including roles with Procter & Gamble and BC Lottery Corp.

Bryan is responsible for economic and business development at the City of Vancouver’s Economic Commission. In his role as Director, he is guiding several initiatives with respect to the City’s Greenest City Action Plan, Digital Strategy and its Economic Action Strategy. These initiatives include the creation of an innovation hub for technology start-up and social innovators; a clean-tech demonstration program leveraging municipal assets and infrastructure; and supporting the creation of a Green Enterprise Zone and a Digital District. Bryan also heads up the business development team that is responsible for strengthening the key sectors that support the so-called Green Economy, Digital Economy and the Innovation Economy. This includes business retention and expansion, as well as trade, foreign direct investment and business attraction. Bryan is passionate about the transformation of the local economy leveraging innovative technologies, clean energy and sustainable urban design as important tools to achieve that goal.
Cato Pastoll is the CEO and Co-Founder of Lending Loop, Canada's first peer-to-peer lending marketplace for business lending. Prior to starting Lending Loop, Cato served as the Executive Vice President of a medium sized software consulting business. In addition to holding a senior management position, he attained experience building and managing robust commercial applications. Cato also brings relevant industry experience from his time developing a loan evaluation and management solution for a private mortgage lender.
Craig has amassed over 15+ years of experience as a marketing strategist, software technologist and start-up entrepreneur in technology, finance, manufacturing and real estate sectors. He is a leader, advocate and development professional of interactive web, data, CRM, campaign management, BI and marketing automation and new venture development projects. He is actively involved in developing the Canadian Crowdfunding industry at a grass-roots level connecting with industry stakeholders, crowdfunding leaders and key participants across the country. He has has spearheaded multiple programs and initiatives such as the inaugural 2015 Canadian Crowdfunding Summit, National Ambassadors outreach program, and NCFA Canada’s advocacy efforts to advance equity-based Crowdfunding regulations in Canada.
Daryl Hatton, founder and CEO of FundRazr, loves the challenge of building companies from scratch. In 30 years software industry experience, Daryl has founded multiple start-ups and helped bring one, Optio, to a successful NASDAQ IPO in 1999. He actively serves as board member or advisor to multiple other start-ups in BC and Silicon Valley. Last year FundRazr was awarded a Technology Innovation Award as Most Promising Startup by the BC Technology Industry Association and was included in the Profit Magazine Hot 50 as one of the fastest growing startups across all industries in Canada.
Heather’s current focus at Vancity is exploring the potential for community investment co-operatives that empower communities to take ownership over their own economic development. She is an MBA in Community Economic Development candidate and has worked in finance for more than 10 years, including roles in microcredit, financial literacy program development, and commercial finance.
Ian is a Tax Partner and since 1995 has provided tax consulting and compliance services to organizations that are entrepreneurial and growing. He has extensive experience with emerging companies that are expanding globally, and has a keen eye for tax opportunities, and a mind for developing creative tax solutions. Ian frequently connects clients to global firm experts, and has close ties to PwC’s Technology teams in Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, Shanghai and London. Ian serves as a Treasurer and Director for LifeSciencesBC and the Vancouver Enterprise Forum, as a member of the Selection Committee for the Canadian Financing Forum and previously led PwC’s SR&ED practice.
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Spanning over 30 years in domestic and international banking, Kevin brings extensive business development and leadership skills from his experiences across all customer segments to his position as President of Lendified. His passionate views for economic growth and business development in Canada positions him well in delivering Lendified’s products and services to the small business marketplace. Previous to co-founding Lendified, Kevin held a number of executive roles at Scotiabank, most recently as Senior Vice President and Global Head of Sales of the Bank's Global Transaction Banking business, responsible for the delivery of trade finance and cash management products to the Small Business, Commercial and Corporate segments both domestically in Canada and internationally.
A former investment banker and private equity investor. He left Bay Street to found Grouplend out of a deeply rooted belief that Canadians deserve better financial services. The existing landscape of banks and financial institutions fail to provide the quality of service that people expect. Watching from afar as consumer debt levels in Canada continued to rise, he devised a way to employ modern technology to deliver financial products that solved the problem, not exacerbated it. He graduated from Simon Fraser University on the Dean’s List with a degree in Finance and is a CFA charterholder.
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Les Schaevitz is an entrepreneur from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who became enchanted with the Saskatchewan equity crowdfunding model due to its incredible simplicity and consummate free-market orientation. While working to equity crowdfund iPosition LLC, his own states-side high technology startup, he became totally frustrated with the delays and complications bedeviling the US equity crowdfunding model. Les started to look around the world for alternatives…the best of which he found in Saskatchewan which, it turned out, did not have an operating portal. Even though he would not be permitted to finance iPosition via his own SK portal, he decided that the opportunity to do the first SK equity crowdfunding portal was irresistible. Les is a staunch advocate for a “holistic,” entrepreneur centric approach to equity crowdfunding which essentially treats this sort of financing as a real IPO, just on a micro-scale. Les is a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (W74).
Lukas is co-founder and CEO of Sansaire. Prior to starting the company, Lukas was a doctoral candidate in theoretical physics working on quantum computers at the University of Washington, with collaborations at Microsoft Research and MIT. In 2013, the Sansaire home sous vide machine launched on Kickstarter, setting a new funding record. He now leads a small team working on bringing new cooking tools and techniques to kitchens worldwide.
As founder and CEO of InvestX, Marcus New is actively engaged in all aspects of the crowdfunding marketplace, from hand-picking the management team to sourcing deals with private equity partners. His experience launching Stockhouse, a leading financial community for affluent investors that attracts up to one million unique monthly visitors, provided him with the momentum, connections and support to create InvestX. Mr. New has personally attracted a variety of private equity firms to the InvestX crowdfunding marketplace, and he plans to continue to grow the platform. Mr. New has also launched (and previously served as the Chairman and CEO) Stockgroup Media, an online financial information platform that counted the majority of Canada’s top brokerage firms, global institutional sales desks and hedge funds as clients.
Following on a 12 year career at the RBC Financial Group, Matthew McGrath successfully launched the Optimize Financial Group™ 4 years ago with offices now in both Toronto and New York City.
Optimize Capital Markets™ is building the Largest Institutional Crowdfunding Marketplace in North America where Institutional and Accredited Investors can discover and trade in Private Investment Opportunities.
Typical deals include Infrastructure Projects, Large Real Estate Developments, and Proven Technology Companies. Since launching out of Toronto in September of 2009, Optimize Capital Markets™ has since expanded its operations to include Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia.

Mike Stephens practices corporate finance and securities law, with an emphasis on securities offerings including stock exchange listings, mergers & acquisitions and private equity transactions, as well as other aspects of corporate law. His experience extends to the mining, oil and gas and IT sectors, acting for a wide range of Canadian and international clients. He assists issuers, investment dealers, and institutional and private investors on complex equity and debt financing transactions ranging from start-up investments, venture capital and private equity investments, to larger public offerings.
Michael Volker is an Entrepreneur active in the development of new high technology ventures. He is president of Simon Fraser University’s SFU Univentures Corp, chairman of Greenangel Energy Corp, [GAE.V] and CEO of WUTIF Capital - an "angel" fund. Mike runs the Vancouver Angel Network, VANTEC and is President of the Vancouver chapter of the Keiretsu Forum. In 2009, He was named 'Angel of the Year' Nationally and Provincially (BC).
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Penny Green is the CEO of Bacchus Law Corporation, and is known to be a deal catalyst, making important introductions for many of her clients. Over the past few decades, Penny has developed an extensive network of dealmakers, brokers, investors, bankers and service professionals throughout the world. Bacchus’ team has been involved in hundreds of public company transactions. In addition to being a lawyer, Penny is also an entrepreneur and has co-founded several successful businesses in various industries, including biofuels and pharmaceuticals. Currently she is the Chairman of the Board of Highbury Energy Inc. and a director of Glance Mobile Inc.
Peter-Paul is Founder and CEO of Silver Maple Ventures Inc., a financial & social media company based in Vancouver BC focused on supporting start-ups and young ventures in Canada with access to capital through innovative online investment-based crowdfunding solutions. Peter-Paul has over 15 years of experience in finance, investment management and business consultancy. He worked in Vancouver as director business development with a finance & investment company in the renewable energy space and as finance director of a real estate investment fund. Prior to that Peter-Paul held a number of positions with several global banks in the areas of corporate strategy, corporate & investment banking and he worked as a senior management consultant in The Netherlands. Peter-Paul is a director of the National Board of the Private Capital Markets Association, PCMA (Canada).
Rubsun Ho is Chief Crowdpleaser at Crowdmatrix Inc., an equity crowdfunding platform that will bring efficiency and transparency to the capital raising process for Canadian growth companies. A portfolio company of Extreme Venture Partners, Crowdmatrix plans to launch in late spring, 2015. Rubsun is also a co-founder and partner of Cognition LLP, a virtual law firm that was created to address the rising costs and inefficiencies of corporate legal services from traditional law firms. Cognition now has over 50 lawyers operating in Toronto, Ottawa and Calgary, and its clients range from growing startups through to some of Canada’s largest companies. Rubsun began his career as a securities lawyer in the Toronto and New York offices of Stikeman Elliott, one of Canada’s leading business law firms. He left Bay Street to join Wysdom Inc. as VP of Business Development in 1999, where he helped raise US$57 million in financing for the wireless Internet startup. Rubsun has a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Toronto.

Sandi is the Founder of SeedUps Canada, a CrowdFinance platform that supports direct equity investments from ordinary investors into privately held small to emerging companies seeking between $250,000 and $2 million in capital. In April of 2014, the platform facilitated North America’s “First Ordinary Investor” to make an online investment in a private company. She is also the COO of ECN Capital, a Global private equity investment platform that brings together qualified investors, investment firms and corporate issuers to facilitate private offerings ranging from $2 - $150 million. See continues to work diligently to develop technology infrastructures that enhance the private equity investment marketplace by making it easier for investors to find good investments and good companies to find the investment they need.
Skai graduated with distinction from the Ivey School of Business and also holds a degree in engineering. He has over 10 years experience in the marketing, hospitality and tourism industries having co-founded Whistler Tasting Tours, a thriving food tour business in Whistler. His latest venture, Guusto, is a gifting platform that lets you send food and drinks to clients, colleagues and friends. Gifts are super flexible, being redeemable at ANY of the 1000+ restaurant locations across Canada. And for every gift sent, they donate one day of clean drinking water through the One Drop Foundation. He led and closed the first startup exemption equity crowdfunding round in Canada, and were 200% subscribed.
Thomas Kineshanko is the CEO of Fintech Enterprises. Previously he co-founder of Habitat Enterprises (which invested in GHG emission reduction projects and the creation of financial instruments that were tradeable on the carbon market), Gridbid (an online auction that has auctioned over $40 million in roof space for solar), was a co-founding equity partner of publicly traded early stage tech fund TSX.V GAE (when it acquired a stake in Habitat’s founders shares), and was a co-founder of Walkmore (alternative credit scoring using big data, acquired by GTE Financial). Thomas is an alum of Singularity University at NASA AMES Research Centre, The National University of Singapore, and Simon Fraser University, where he was a two-time Academic and Athletic All-American in Track & Field.
Viet Le is a Senior Manager in the Tax Services practice of PwC based in the Vancouver office. He leads the technology team in all IT, software, hardware and digital media SR&ED claims and has 12 years of industry experience and more than 8 years of dedicated SR&ED experience. He has extensive experience in helping companies strategise, plan, and maximise their SR&ED claims, across such areas of technology as cloud computing, big data, inventory management, supply chain distribution and gaming. Viet has worked on clients with expenditures ranging from $50K to $30M. Viet also knows first hand what it is to be a start-up entrepreneur!

Seeking volunteers for VanFUNDING 2015 - sign up 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 950+ 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 About Us or visit ncfacanada.org.
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[restab title="Sponsors"]
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Networking Reception Sponsor:
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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 1100+ 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 About Us or visit ncfacanada.org.
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[restab title="Volunteers"]
VanFUNDING 2015: Crowdfunding Conference takes place on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at Library Square (Alice MacKay Room, Lower Level) on 350 West Georgia St. Vancouver, BC V6B 6B1 from 1pm - 5pm, followed by the Networking Reception from 5pm - 7pm at Library Square Public House on 300 West Georgia St.
For this event we are looking for a few volunteers to lend a hand, anywhere from managing the conference registration, greeting and directing attendees, arranging speaker tent cards and logistics between sessions, assisting with mentor session setup, assisting event staff with logistics, inquiries, and miscellaneous activities throughout the day, and more.
Outgoing and energetic people who like working as a team are encouraged to submit their names! Selected volunteers will be contacted directly to schedule an orientation call, and will receive free access to the full conference, including the evening Networking Reception.
This event would not be possible without the dedicated help of volunteers, so thank you in advance!
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[restab title="Register Now"]
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Seeking volunteers for VanFUNDING 2015 - sign up here!
Some attending companies:
Black Press
Optimize Capital Markets
Dreamy Land Home
Vancity
WUTIF Capital
Take It Public Services Inc.
Crowdfund Suite
GeoInvest Enterprises Inc.
University of Chicago Alternative Finance Initiative
Pop! Social Media Solutions
DesignCultureMind
Zi Yang
Dentons
ASC Creative Ltd.
CrowdShot
progressa
InvestX Capital Ltd
elevate vacations
International Royalties Corporation
BCfinestexports
Veritas Nutraceuticals,Inc.
Caesar Elliott Capital Partners
Market One Media Group
GoPage
CrowdGift
Finstripe
Futurpreneur
Premier's Technology Council
E-Fund
DuMoulin Black LLP
RwE Growth Partners, Inc.
Investec Solutions Inc.
The Profile Inc.
GoCrowd.com
Business Model Edge
BC Centre for Social Enterprise
Work In Startups
Pharmacy first
cognitiveVR
CanaDragon
Kickstart Business Catalyst
Butti Cigarette Saver
Robin Ford Consulting
FrontFundr
NRC-IRAP Concierge Service
SeedUps Canada
Concepta Developments Ltd.
FundRazr
Investment Capital Branch, Ministry of International Trade
New Venture Consultants Inc.
Harveen Thauli, Barrister & Solicitor
Frank Tipper
NRC-IRAP
Dockit Marine Software Inc.
Richards Buell Sutton LLP
AFEX - Associated Foreign Exchange
Frank Yeh Photography
McCarthy Tétrault LLP
Change Catalyst | SFU
CANADA ASIA BUSINESS NETWORK
Project Manager
Quidni Estate Winery
Startup
Lendified
Hedzup
TSX Venture Exchange
Cambridge House Intl. Inc.
VariableGrid
NCFA Canada
L'Opera Law Corporation
Grouplend
Crowdmatrix
Mantech Activities
Community Futures BC
Capital Investment Network
Kingswood Real Estate Management Inc
Highline
Guusto
Interactio
Thrinacia Inc.
Miller Thomson LLP
Sansaire
Klinch
T-Net
Bacchus Law Corporation
Lazo Management corp.
CFIC
NKF Devencore
Venture Law Corporation
sutton realty
Designathon
Vancouver Opera
Lending Loop
Balley Ventures Inc.
PwC
Project4 Living Systems
Julie Rezler
Pacific King Investments
Capture the Moment Media
jbyj
BCIC
CoinPayments
G-Kup Coffee
Berkley street cap
BC Securities Commission
Fit Assist Medical Inc
Vancouver Economic Commission
.commUNITY
Digital Finance Institute
VERONICA ARMSTRONG LAW CORPORATION
Lotz & Company
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 1100+ 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 About Us or visit ncfacanada.org.
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[restab title="Win a free ticket!"]
Here's your chance to attend Western Canada's leading crowdfunding conference on Sep 29 for free! #VanFUNDING 2015 is for ventures and businesses seeking to raise seed and growth capital from online crowdfunding markets, and a chance to connect with investors, funding portals and other third party providers. We're giving away FREE PASSES to VanFUNDING 2015, sponsored by The OCMX and Crowdmatrix.

Giveaway details:
Please send any questions to info@ncfacanada.org.
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Gotroo Release | July 31, 2015
MONTREAL, July 31, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - A group of entrepreneurs and an angel investor have just launched Gotroo.com, a platform that puts entrepreneurs looking for financing in contact with investors from the public at large, whether they are qualified or not. With Gotroo.com, a company can register with the platform and reach a financing objective of up to $250,000 built on a maximum of $1500 per investor.
Gotroo.com has nothing to do with the current offer of crowdfunding sites, which give users the chance to buy a product or service in the form of presale, without any actual share ownership in the company. Gotroo.com makes equity crowdfunding possible—by issuing debt securities (such as bonds) or a participation that give users the right to a portion of the eventual profits (such as shares) to subscribers (an investor) from the public at large. This type of crowdfunding is authorized by the securities regulators in the participating province or territory where the business or investors are located.
With the Gotroo.com platform, businesses can maximize their chances of success by having access to qualified investors acting as lead investors or sponsors and by making full use of tools that will help them secure their financing.
The financing process of the Gotroo.com platform meets the standards and criteria of Multilateral CSA Notice 45-316 (Start-up Crowdfunding Registration and Prospectus Exemptions), issued by the Autorité des marchés financiers in Quebec and the securities regulatory authorities in five other provinces. The AMF and the Nova Scotia authorities have given Gotroo.com its official go-ahead with its prospectus and registration exemptions for crowdfunding of start-up businesses. The provinces of British Columbia, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick are also in Gotroo.com's sights.
Gotroo.com innovates by making it possible for entrepreneurs in need of capital (up to $250,000 twice a year) to issue shares of their business on the Web to investors who will then become part owners of the business.
Here's an example from the Autorité des marchés financiers site to illustrate how it works:
"Valérie has a brilliant idea. She has developed a soft drink flavoured with maple syrup and other local products. She has prepared a detailed business plan and hopes to turn a profit from her business venture. She thinks there is a market for maple soft drinks in gourmet grocery stores, bars and restaurants. She wants to begin production. She needs $75,000 in order to bottle and market her soft drinks. She applied to a financial institution for a loan, but was refused. She is thinking about raising the funds she needs by issuing shares through a securities crowdfunding campaign."
It's not the stock exchange
What's important to understand is that the shares purchased come from private companies, not publicly traded ones. Which means that it isn't possible to resell the shares acquired as you would on the stock exchange. The shares will be subject to the agreement between shareholders that governs the shares, for every business.
The specifics
An injection of new capital in Quebec and the rest of Canada
There is very little business start-up capital in Quebec and the rest of Canada. With Gotroo, companies self-finance via ordinary people and then share the profits with them. Though it represents risks for investors, a great investment is always possible—something that doesn't happen on other kinds of crowdfunding portals. At best, all you might receive is a product purchased in advance or a gift, and your money can in no way earn a profit when the company grows.
Gotroo.com in brief
Gotroo.com was created by an experienced group of Canadian entrepreneurs and investors who want to help companies and investors prosper and stimulate the Canadian economy.
Its main directors are:
Chairman:
Robert Brouillette, lawyer, engineer, patent and trade mark agent, entrepreneur and angel investor
robert@gotroo.com
CEO:
Philippe Brouillette, lawyer, engineer, trade mark agent and entrepreneur
philippe@gotroo.com
Board member and secretary:
Benoît l'Archevêque, serial entrepreneur
ben@gotroo.com
As well as Pierre Gagnon (pierre@gotroo.com), serial entrepreneur and Anthony Bryant (anthony@gotroo.com), serial technology entrepreneur.
SOURCE Gotroo.com
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 1100+ 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 About Us or visit ncfacanada.org.
CSA | Jennifer Bates | July 30, 2015
On June 30, 2015 the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) published a notice, regarding proposed amendments to Regulation 13-101 System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) and Regulation 13-102 respecting System Fees for SEDAR and NRD (http://www.albertasecurities.com/industry/securities-law-and-policy/Pages/regulatory-developments.aspx). If adopted, these changes will require electronic submission of Exempt Market filings, currently filed in paper to all jurisdictions except British Columbia and Ontario, via the SEDAR system. Fees would also be paid via SEDAR. Exempt Market filings would continue to be filed in the BCSC’s eServices filing system and the OSC’s e-file system for those jurisdictions.
Using SEDAR will provide benefits to issuers, including:
We invite you to complete a short survey to assess the impact of the changes for market participants. Your responses will help us ensure that we provide the right user support needed by the exempt market issuers [https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/EMFonSEDAR].
Survey deadline: We would appreciate your survey responses by August 21, 2015. On the survey, you will be able to sign up for updates to help keep you informed on the status of these proposed changes and be provided with links to training materials.
To send your comments or sign up for updates, please contact us at:
EMFonSEDAR-Support@csa-acvm.ca
For more information on SEDAR, please refer to: http://www.csa-acvm.ca/industry_resources.aspx?id=49
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Le 30 juin dernier, les Autorités canadiennes en valeurs mobilières (ACVM) ont publié un avis concernant des modifications proposées au Règlement 13-101 sur le Système électronique de données, d’analyse et de recherche (SEDAR) et au Règlement 13-102 sur les droits relatifs aux systèmes de SEDAR et de la BDNI (http://lautorite.qc.ca/fr/consultations-valeurs-mobilieres-pro.html/). Si elles sont mises en œuvre, ces modifications viendront exiger le dépôt en format électronique des documents relatifs au marché dispensé qui sont actuellement déposés en format papier au moyen de SEDAR dans l’ensemble des territoires, sauf la Colombie-Britannique et l’Ontario. Des droits devraient également être acquittés au moyen de SEDAR. En Colombie-Britannique et en Ontario, le dépôt des documents relatifs au marché dispensé continuera de se faire au moyen du système eServices de la BCSC et du système de dépôt électronique de la CVMO.
L’utilisation de SEDAR procurera notamment aux émetteurs les avantages suivants :
Nous vous invitons à répondre à un court sondage afin de nous aider à évaluer l’incidence des modifications sur les participants au marché. Vos réponses nous permettront de nous assurer que nous offrons aux émetteurs du marché dispensé le soutien aux utilisateurs dont ils ont besoin. [https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SEDAR-MD]
Le sondage vous permet de vous abonner à nos mises à jour par courriel qui vous informeront de l’état d’avancement des modifications proposées et comprendront des liens vers des documents de formation.
Nous vous saurions gré de bien vouloir répondre au sondage d’ici le 21 août 2015.
Pour nous faire parvenir vos commentaires ou vous abonner à nos mises à jour par courriel, veuillez nous écrire à l’adresse assistanceSEDAR-MD@csa-acvm.ca.
Pour plus de renseignements sur SEDAR, visitez le http://www.autorites-valeurs-mobilieres.ca/ressources_professionnelles.aspx?ID=49&LangType=1036.
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 1100+ 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 About Us or visit ncfacanada.org.
TechCrunch | Mike Butcher | Jul 30, 2015
Equity crowdfunding platform Seedrs has raised a $15.6 million (£10 million) Series A round led by Woodford Patient Capital Trust plc (WPCT) and Augmentum Capital, the money from which will be used to launch in the U.S. market. Seedrs had previously raised $7.2 million from Faber Ventures and it’s own crowdfunding campaign.
Furthermore, Seedrs is to launch a £2.5 million crowd funding campaign to give existing shareholders and new investors the opportunity to participate in the round. The details will be announced later.
View: Seedrs funding rounds on CrunchBase
Seedrs plans to now expand its marketing efforts in the U.K. and Europe, increase platform development activities and launch its business in the United States.
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 1100+ 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 About Us or visit ncfacanada.org.
South China Morning Post International | Ming Wong | Jul 28, 2015
Crowdfunding has become a global phenomenon, allowing crowds of people to support their favourite projects, charities or companies. Hong Kong Free Press, for example, recently raised more than US$75,000 in one month via a local platform. Start-up companies use crowdfunding to raise equity, though that is relatively new and falls in the grey area between the regulated public arena and private equity investing, which is unregulated.
Given Hong Kong's role as a global financial centre and our government's interest in promoting social innovation, it is imperative to understand the role equity crowdfunding can play in helping Hong Kong achieve its aspirations.
Many countries, including Italy, Britain and the United States, have recognised the link between job growth and the ease of raising capital. In 2013, the Italian Parliament issued a law, which also addressed equity crowdfunding, to allow "innovative start-ups" to raise risk capital through online portals. In Britain, the Financial Conduct Authority began regulating loan- and equity-based crowdfunding platforms last year.
A stunning development, however, occurred in the United States in March. The Securities and Exchange Commission released final Regulation A+ rules under Title IV of the JOBS Act that allow growth companies to raise up to US$50 million from unaccredited investors in a mini-IPO-style offering, serving as a potential alternative to venture or other institutional capital.
These new rules mean that companies aspiring to be the next Uber or Airbnb would be allowed to offer their stock directly to their drivers, riders, renters and tenants as well as the general public. To protect unaccredited investors (deemed less sophisticated), the rules restrict them to investing no more than 10 per cent of their net worth or net income each year, whichever is greater.
Closer to home, Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia have also introduced similar legislation that legalises equity crowdfunding. So it is disappointing that our Securities and Futures Commission has done little besides issue a notice on the regulations that might apply to equity crowdfunding and the risks involved.
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 1100+ 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 About Us or visit ncfacanada.org.
British Columbia Securities Commission | July 2015
Start-up or early-stage businesses can raise money for their operations by selling securities (such as bonds or common shares) to investors through a start-up crowdfunding campaign. If you contribute, you are an investor and hope to earn interest or participate in future profits of that business.
These three guides assist funding portals, issuers, and investors understand the registration and prospectus exemptions that allow start-up and early stage businesses to raise capital.
You can also find other useful guides from the BCSC here.
No. You must reside in a jurisdiction that allows companies to use an exemption to sell securities to investors through start-up crowdfunding. It is up to you to protect your own interests by knowing what exemption the company is using to sell you its securities. Learn more about exemptions.
In order to raise money through start-up crowdfunding, a company must first complete an offering document outlining its idea and make it available online through a funding portal. There are two types of funding portals:
Pay close attention to the risk warnings. Before you invest, the funding portal will ask you to confirm that you have read and understood the risk warnings and the offering document. These investments are risky and you could lose your entire investment.
No, you may have to hold your investment indefinitely.
The offering document contains basic information about the project, including the minimum amount of money that needs to be raised for it to go ahead. The maximum a business can raise from each investor for a project is $1,500.
Returns are always uncertain and depend on many factors beyond the company’s and your control. The majority of start-up and early stage companies never go public, and assuming this is the case with one you invest in, then you may never be able to sell your shares. That’s what makes it so risky and why you should only invest in it if you can afford to lose your whole investment.
[youtube width="530" height="429"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C9mjJxe1Tk[/youtube]
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 1100+ 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 About Us or visit ncfacanada.org.
Forbes by David Prosser | July 22, 2015
Every investor taking a stake in a young business raising money on an equity-based crowdfunding platform dreams of a big payday. Investors have to be realistic – they know there’s a good chance they’ll never see a return on their money when investing in small, high-risk ventures. And many are motivated by more than just the potential for profit – they actively want to support entrepreneurial ventures, for example. Still, at the back of their minds, they wonder whether they’re buying a stake in the next Facebook.
For equity crowdfunding investors in Britain, these dreams have remained just that. No business that has raised money via a U.K.-based equity crowdfunding platform has yet been able to offer its investors a profitable exit.
Until now that is. E-Car Club has just won the race to do exactly that. The business, which hires out electric cars on a pay-as-you-go basis, raised £100,000 for investors on the Crowdcube platform in 2013. And now it’s been bought by Europcar, the car hire company that operates throughout Europe and beyond.
E-Car Club and Europcar aren’t saying exactly what the deal is worth. But they describe the exit terms offered to the 63 investors who put up that £100,000 two years ago as representing a “multiple return.” Most of those investors will not have expect to be able to walk away from their investment with a profit so quickly, but the emergence of a suitor in the form of Europcar has accelerated the exit process very dramatically.
E-Car Club is joining a very select club – there are barely a handful of businesses anywhere in the world that have raised money via equity-based crowdfunding and gone on to offer their investors a profitable exit, whether through M&A, an IPO or another route. Investors on hundreds of platforms that have sprung up globally to facilitate this kind of investment will naturally hope to see many more success stories of this kind, but the sector is still too young to be producing winners in large numbers.
Indeed, to put the evolution of this sector in context, private equity funds tend to operate with five-year exit strategies in mind – five years ago, there weren’t any equity-based crowdfunding platforms.
E-Car Club’s sale therefore represents a breakthrough moment. Until now, British equity crowdfunding platforms have had to talk purely theoretically about the potential for investors to make money. Now they have a real-life case study to tell the world about.
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 1100+ 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 About Us or visit ncfacanada.org.