Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Karsten Wenzlaff is a Crowdfunding and Fintech Expert from Germany. He is Secretary-General of Digit[...]
Category Archives: Fintech International
US Fundraising Firm RaiseRight Acquires Canada’s FlipGive
M&A | Oct 1, 2025
Image: Freepik
RaiseRight Buys FlipGive to Expand Team Fundraising Across North America
On September 18, 2025, US-based fundraising solutions provider RaiseRight announced the acquisition of Toronto-based FlipGive, a Certified B Corporation known for cashback shopping combined with community fundraising tools. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
See: Free Canadian Fintech listing directory
RaiseRight is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan and best known for scrip and gift card fundraising programs that direct spending power to local groups. The company cites more than $900 million raised with over 750 brand partners across 30 years of operations.
FlipGive’s Early Crowdfunding Origins
FlipGive first went public in 2013, self-described as a retailer-driven fundraising model for schools, sports teams and communities. When they first launched, the National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association of Canada listed FlipGive on it's original crowdfunding directory (not maintained since Jan 2019, as NCFA hosts a new fintech directory in Canada here. as crowdfunding for non profits through product sales and donations, a model that merged a crowdfunding ethos with shopping rewards and donations.
The focus evolved from one time pledges to everyday shopping that earns cash back for teams and community groups. Retailers and restaurants share a percentage of transactions, which turns routine purchases into a steady funding stream.
FlipGive later scaled embedded rewards and reported strong growth, including a $4 million Series B financing round in 2023 in an funding roundup mentioning FlipGive.
See: Equity Crowdfunding Breaks Records in Canada
According to FlipGive’s own platform data, teams have raised more than $56.6 million through the service, converting everyday purchases into direct support for youth sports and community groups. This total reflects contributions generated from more than 50,000 teams (including my kids hockey team fundraisers!) via $425 million in sales across 900 brands, serving more than 900,000 FlipGive members.
These numbers clearly confirm the demand and impact of the cashback model and how it's grown into a significant funding source for local teams.
Nick Lee, Co-founder of FlipGive:
"From day one, our goal has been to support families and make team fundraising simple and effective. Joining RaiseRight, who shares our mission and values, ensures a future where even more families can benefit."
Expanding With RaiseRight
FlipGive’s brand and Canadian operations will continue while its technology integrates into RaiseRight’s broader platform. The combination adds white label rewards, scrip gift cards, online shopping, dining, and travel into one stack that organizations can use to fund sports, schools, and community programs.
See: H1 2025 Global Fintech Funding Slows, Some Sectors Firing
Lou Agnese, CEO of RaiseRight:
"FlipGive has played a valuable role in shaping how communities approach fundraising through its technology and platform. We are excited to expand into the Canadian market and thrilled to welcome the FlipGive brand and team into the RaiseRight family. We will continue to build on FlipGive's innovations to deliver even greater value to the communities we serve across Canada and the United States."
Closing Outlook
This deal connects two complementary funding rails. FlipGive’s commerce driven crowdfunding roots evolved into cashback infrastructure with RaiseRight’s long running gift card model built to scale. Together they offer a cross-border platform that monetizes everyday spending for community funding while maintaining a social mission. For Canadian fintech and nonprofit stakeholders, the main questions are how will RaiseRight's acquisition steward FlipGive’s B Corporation identity and how integration will affect service for Canadian teams.
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 aa 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
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
California AI Law and U.S. Visa Fees Open Doors For Canada
Regulation | Sep 30, 2025
New U.S. Policies Could Redirect AI Growth and Skilled Workers to Canada
On September 29, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act into law (Senate Bill 53), the first binding U.S. law directed at frontier AI developers.
Overview
The law requires companies with the largest models to:
- Publish safety frameworks and update them within 30 days of any change
- Issue transparency reports before deploying new or substantially updated systems
- Report incidents including crimes committed without human oversight or deceptive model behaviour to California’s Office of Emergency Services within 15 days, or within 24 hours if there is an imminent threat
- Whistleblower protections and civil penalties of up to $1 million are also part of the framework, enforceable by the Attorney General’s office
See: What Toronto Can Learn from Tel Aviv’s Start-Up Scene
Unlike last year’s failed SB 1047, the new law does not require third-party audits or shutdown mechanisms. Instead, it focuses on transparency. Starting in 2027, anonymized summaries of incidents will be published annually to inform the public.
Who's in Scope?
Developers that cross the extreme compute threshold of 10^26 FLOPs (computer system that can process a hundred trillion trillion mathematical operations) OR exceed $500 million in annual revenue.
How Companies and Countries Are Responding
The response has been mixed. Anthropic backed the compromise version after negotiations, while Meta set up a state-level PAC and OpenAI pushed for federal or international alternatives.
Critics warn that duplicative state rules could fragment compliance.
See: CMA Lessons on Competition and Growth for Canada
But still, California has a history of rules spreading nationally, from privacy to environmental standards. OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, and Google DeepMind are among the large AI labs likely affected by SB 53. Three of which are based in California with DeepMind is headquartered in the UK but parent company Alphabet is in Cali.
Globally, the EU AI Act regulatory framework is already in force and more comprehensive, applying risk-based obligations across industries. Canada’s Artificial Intelligence and Data Act stalled earlier this year, leaving the country with a voluntary code of AI ethics. Other U.S. states may also look to California’s model as a template for their own AI laws.
For AI finance fintechs, it's pretty clear to see that California has drawn a line in the sand to publish safety processes, disclose updates, and prepare reporting systems. Canadian startups and scale-ups serving California clients will need to align to ensure compliance, and these same steps could form the basis of a future Canadian law if Ottawa revives its AI plans. NCFA has published numerous articles on how AI is reshaping fintech to highlight opportunities and risks.
Rules and Visas Could Impact North America’s Talent Flows
California’s new AI law shows how U.S. states are moving ahead with governance while Washington is moving in the opposite direction on immigration. The two policies together are forcing companies to rethink where they build and hire.
On September 21, 2025, USCIS raised H-1B visa fees for the first time in nearly two decades. The registration fee jumps from $10 to $215, the petition filing fee increases to $780, and employers must also pay a $600 asylum surcharge on each petition. In addition, a $100,000 payment applies to every new H-1B petition filed after September 21, 2025.
See: Cohere Adds $100M as Ottawa Launches AI Sprint
For large technology firms submitting thousands of registrations, lottery costs alone now reach six figures (i.e. registration, petition and asylum fees), and with the $100,000 payment layered on top, sponsoring one skilled worker requires an unprecedented financial amount before salaries are even considered.At the same time, Senate Bill 53 requires large AI developers in California to comply with the AI transparency and safety law. For startups and scale-ups already facing higher labour costs from the visa changes, the compliance load makes expansion in California more expensive than some alternatives.
For Canada, this combination creates an opening. The federal government has kept immigration channels and recently launched Canada's first ever tech talent strategy in 2023, while luckily leaving it's own AI governance as a voluntary code of conduct instead of a binding law. Companies that find U.S. rules and visa costs too heavy can find both talent and policy breathing room north of the border. WELCOME TO CANADA!
Canada’s Startup Visa Faces Long Delays
As a caveat to the message that Canada welcomes top entrepreneurs, the reality is that Canada’s Start-up Visa (SUV) program which was created to bring global founders into the country is currently plagued with a backlog of more than 42,000 applications as of July 2025 with wait times longer than four years as reported by Betakit. As a result, the government added a three year open work permit so entrepreneurs can start working while waiting for permanent residency, but the backlog itself remains a major barrier. Ottawa also introduced a cap of 2,000 SUV applications in 2025 and plans to reduce it further to 1,000 in 2026. By comparison, Canada’s Innovation Stream under the Tech Talent Strategy remains far more flexible and designed with urgency in mind; it's LMIA (Labour Market Assessment Impact) exempt and can be processed in weeks.
Instead of blunt national cuts, Ottawa could manage qualifying organizations application caps that grow or shrink depending on their results. Incubators, angel groups, and venture funds with stronger records of scaling companies, creating jobs, and raising capital could endorse more entrepreneurs, while newer or weaker ones would be limited until they prove outcomes. This approach would raise quality of applicants while keeping the door open to founders from diverse regions. Coupled with the open work permit, it could restore SUV as a credible and inclusive option for entrepreneurs choosing where to build.
Outlook
Canada now has a limited window to attract both talent and innovation by pairing flexible immigration with a pragmatic approach to AI governance. Ottawa's next steps will determine how long that window stays open.
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 aa 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
| | |
|---|---|---|
| | |
How Small Businesses Enter the Casino Fintech Space
Sep 30, 2025
The casino fintech space offers small businesses a unique entry point into a rapidly expanding digital economy. By leveraging technology and niche market insights, entrepreneurs can tap into a sector projected to exceed $127 billion by 2027. Many are finding success through specialised payment solutions, compliance tools, or customer engagement platforms. For those exploring gaming integration, a seamless experience like online roulette at Zoome highlights the importance of smooth transactional and interactive design. This article explores practical pathways for small enterprises aiming to participate in this high-growth industry.
Market Insights and Growth Indicators
The convergence of financial technology and casino operations creates fertile ground for agile small businesses. Global digital payment volumes in gaming surged by over 40% in 2023 alone. Regulatory shifts and technological advancements continue to lower entry barriers. Small enterprises that identify underserved niches often achieve rapid scalability. Consider these compelling statistics shaping the sector today.
- Over 72% of digital gaming transactions now use alternative payment methods
- The Asia-Pacific region accounted for $48.2 billion in gaming fintech revenue in 2024
- Small fintech startups captured 31% of the payment processing market share in 2023
- Blockchain-based casino transactions grew by 215% between 2022 and 2024
- Customer acquisition costs for gaming fintech products dropped by 28% since 2021
Why Niche Solutions Outperform Generic Platforms
Small businesses thrive by addressing specific pain points larger corporations overlook. Specialised payment gateways for AU online casino operators demonstrate this perfectly. These platforms handle currency conversion, regulatory compliance, and rapid withdrawals seamlessly. They integrate easily with existing casino software through API connections. This focused approach builds loyalty among operators who prefer tailored solutions over one-size-fits-all systems. Trusted online casinos particularly value partners who understand their unique operational challenges and compliance requirements.
Customer Engagement and Retention Technologies
Player retention separates successful casinos from struggling ones. Small fintech firms develop engagement tools that boost player loyalty significantly. These include personalised bonus engines, predictive analytics for player behaviour, and automated loyalty programs. Integration with popular Aussie online pokies platforms makes these tools particularly valuable. They help operators identify at-risk players before they churn and create targeted retention campaigns. The best solutions combine artificial intelligence with deep industry knowledge to deliver measurable improvements in player lifetime value.
Payment Innovation and Security Solutions
Payment processing remains the backbone of casino fintech. Small enterprises innovate by developing faster, safer transaction methods. These include digital wallets with enhanced security protocols and cryptocurrency integration services. Multi-currency support proves essential for platforms serving international players. Robust fraud detection systems tailored for gaming patterns also see high demand.
See: Wealth Management Insights for Fintechs and Investors
Small businesses entering the casino fintech space must focus on specificity, compliance, and technological elegance. The most successful identify clear problems and deliver streamlined solutions that larger companies cannot match. By specialising in regulatory technology, payment processing, or customer engagement, entrepreneurs build sustainable ventures within this dynamic industry.
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 aa 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
| | |
|---|---|---|
| | |
Swift Launches Blockchain Ledger Prototype With RBC and TD
Blockchain | Sep 29, 2025
RBC and TD Join 30 Global Banks For Swift's Cross-border Payments Test
On September 29, 2025, Swift announced its blockchain-based ledger at Sibos 2025. The initiative brings together more than 30 financial institutions worldwide, including Royal Bank of Canada and TD Bank, to design and test a prototype with Consensys. The project is aimed at enabling real time, 24/7 cross-border payments to more than 200 countries and territories.
Javier Pérez-Tasso, Swift CEO:
“We provide powerful and effective rails today and are moving at a rapid pace with our community to create the infrastructure stack of the future. Through this initial ledger concept we are paving the way for financial institutions to take the payments experience to the next level with Swift’s proven and trusted platform at the centre of the industry’s digital transformation.”
Swift's Multiple Blockchain Tracks
Swift’s prototype will provide a secure log of transactions between banks that is updated in real time. The ledger will validate and sequence payments while using smart contracts to enforce agreed rules automatically. Unlike a public blockchain, this shared ledger is a permissioned infrastructure operated by Swift and its member banks. While it's blockchain-based in design, drawing on distributed ledger technology for resilience and transparency, it's not an onchain network like Ethereum.
See: Citi and BofA Plan Stablecoins as Regulation Advances
Rather than creating new tokens itself, Swift’s role will be to provide the infrastructure for financial institutions and central banks to settle regulated tokenised value. By focusing on interoperability, Swift is designing the ledger so that it can operate alongside both traditional rails and emerging blockchain networks to reduce fragmentation and help financial institutions transition smoothly.
Also as a separate blockchain track, Swift is also experimenting with onchain migration of its messaging system using Ethereum Layer 2 Linea, as reported by The Block, which includes banks such as BNP Paribas and BNY. Swift is undergoing a parallel strategy to both upgrade existing rails while also preparing future digital rails.
Canadian Banks At the Table
The direct participation of RBC and TD gives Canada a seat at the table in Swift's financial infrastructure modernization initiatives. Their involvement means that Canadian banks intend to remain competitive globally as tokenised settlement gains traction. For Canada, the implications could be far reaching, making it easier for businesses to manage international trade and for capital to move efficiently across borders.
Tokenised Payments Outlook
Swift’s work comes at a time when market forecasts suggest rapid growth in tokenised payments. Citi’s GPS report on stablecoins 2030 projects that stablecoin issuance could reach $1.9 trillion under a base case and as high as $4 trillion in a bull case by 2030, with transaction volumes approaching $100 trillion if stablecoins circulate at payment velocity.
See: VersaBank USA Launches Tokenized Deposits Pilot
The report also says stablecoins will likely coexist with tokenised deposits and bank-issued tokens, which may surpass them in scale.The question is whether Swift’s infrastructure approach will become the primary neutral rails that digital assets need to move securely across borders, or not.
Conclusion
After years of blockchain push-back denial, the launch of Swift’s blockchain ledger prototype is a key milestone in the modernization of global financial infrastructure. With RBC and TD among the participants, Canada is positioned within the group to contribute to the design and development of standards from the start. Digital assets and traditional financial networks seem to be converging at a global scale.
Other reads you may like:
- Canada's Stablecoin Race Enters Critical Phase
- Swiss digital franc tokenized bond pilot deemed a success
- Swift and Wise Announce Strategic Collaboration at Sibos 2023 in Toronto
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 aa 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
| | |
|---|---|---|
| | |
Europe’s Digital Euro and Bank Stablecoin Race
CBDC and Stablecoins | Sep 29, 2025
Image: Freepik
EU Ministers Agreed On a Digital Euro Roadmap as Nine Banks Plan a MiCA Stablecoin for 2026
On September 19, 2025, EU finance ministers reached a compromise on the digital euro roadmap, designed to reduce dependence on Visa and Mastercard. The plan gives governments a stronger role in any launch decision and sets limits on how much citizens can hold. For official policy context, see the EU Council’s digital euro page, which outlines objectives and implementation steps.
Banks Unite On a Euro Stablecoin
Just six days later, nine major European banks formed a consortium to launch a MiCA-compliant euro stablecoin, targeting a 2026 launch. The group includes ING, UniCredit, CaixaBank, Danske Bank, SEB, Raiffeisen Bank International, KBC, DekaBank, and Banca Sella. Their goal is to deliver instant payments, programmable settlement, and a regulated alternative to unbacked crypto tokens.
By anchoring the stablecoin in Europe’s MiCA framework, the banks are moving early to define how regulated tokenized money will work. MiCA sets clear standards for issuers on capital, governance, and reserve management. That clarity is drawing incumbents to commit capital and credibility.
Pushing Payments Power Away From Cards
The digital euro and the bank consortium stablecoin initiative both look to rebalance power in Europe’s payments market. Today, Visa and Mastercard process around two‑thirds of all European card transactions. Policymakers want to ensure Europe can clear and settle payments domestically without relying on foreign schemes.
The central bank digital currency (CBDC) and stablecoin initiatives also intersect with Wero, the new retail wallet developed under the European Payments Initiative. Wero is designed to give merchants and consumers a unified tool for instant payments across the euro area, and a tokenized euro would strengthen its value proposition. This alignment mirrors the Canadian Real‑Time Rail project, though Europe is tying its upgrades more explicitly to digital money.
See: Canadian Banks and Fintechs Back Regulated Stablecoin
A further motivation is market share. Euro stablecoins currently total only about €620 million outstanding, compared to nearly $300 billion for U.S. dollar stablecoins. Europe risks being sidelined if it does not accelerate adoption, as global trade and DeFi increasingly rely on dollar‑based tokens.
For fintechs, these initiatives open a regulated path to experiment with programmable money, cross‑border settlement, and retail wallets. Startups may be able to integrate stablecoin rails into remittances, treasury management, or point‑of‑sale services with legal certainty.
For banks, the picture is mixed. Deposit flight is a risk if customers shift balances into tokenized wallets. Yet the banks launching the consortium also stand to gain by controlling issuance, custody, and compliance, capturing value from tokenization.
Canada's Implications
Canada has taken a more cautious approach. The Bank of Canada has said there is “no compelling case” for a retail digital dollar and is prioritizing upgrades to payment infrastructure. Policymakers are also examining how to regulate stablecoins, with oversight currently split between federal and provincial authorities. See NCFA's analysis of Canada's stablecoin race entering a critical phase for a more detailed analysis.
Europe’s actions highlight lessons for Canada. Their dual‑track model of a CBDC combined with a bank‑led stablecoin consortium shows how sovereignty and innovation can be balanced. A digital loonie could serve as a public anchor, while regulated Canadian bank or fintech stablecoins could deliver speed and programmability. Equally important, MiCA demonstrates the power of legislative clarity, something Canada lacks as fragmented oversight slows momentum.
Europe’s urgency also stems from the fact that euro stablecoins represent a tiny fraction of the global market. Canada faces the same risk if stablecoin use grows but domestic frameworks stall, Canadians may increasingly rely on U.S. dollar tokens for payments, weakening monetary sovereignty. Europe is also linking its initiatives to Wero, its new retail wallet.
See: Update on Retail Payments Supervision and PSP Registry
Canada could also add experiments to the rollout of its Real‑Time Rail, ensuring token‑based payments integrate with domestic upgrades. Although Canadians and payment stakeholders can't afford any more delays.
Outlook
If Canada followed a similar approach as in Europe, payments could become faster and cheaper, and fintechs would gain new opportunities in programmable settlement and remittances. Banks could face pressure on deposits but would gain new business in custody and compliance. If Canada hesitates for much longer, the country risks dollarization via U.S. stablecoins, reducing control over payments and data governance.
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 aa 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
| | |
|---|---|---|
| | |
JPM: Top 200 Women-Powered U.K. Businesses 2025
Report | Sep 25, 2025
Image: Top 200 Women Powered UK Businesses (report cover)
J.P. Morgan and Beauhurst Highlight Record Growth and Access to Capital
On September 16, 2025, J.P. Morgan and Beauhurst published the fifth annual Top 200 Women-Powered U.K. Businesses Report (Download 75 page PDF report), showcasing the scale and growth of female-founded and led enterprises in Britain. Since the inaugural edition, the number of women-powered businesses has more than doubled, rising from 6,085 in 2021 to 15,795 in 2025, representing 30.4% of all high-growth companies compared with just 18.3% four years ago.
Top 5 Statistics/Takeaways
- Women-powered businesses grew 160% in five years, from 6,085 in 2021 to 15,795 in 2025
- Equity investment in women-powered firms nearly doubled to £4.51 billion in 2025
- Women-led exits surged to £5.23 billion in 2024, nearly matching male-led exits at £6.74 billion
- Equity crowdfunding drove 802 women-powered fundraises since 2015, making it the top early-stage finance channel
- Fintech, SaaS, data, and AI are now the top investment sectors for women-powered firms
See: Trends in Reg CF for Minority and Women Founders
The data shows that women-powered companies are growing faster than the broader high-growth ecosystem, which expanded by 56.1% over the same period. Regional analysis highlights London and the South East as hubs, with 4,916 and 2,124 women-powered firms respectively. In Wales, women-powered businesses now account for 32.7% of the high-growth firms, the highest proportion of any U.K. region.
Funding Trends and Capital Access
Venture capital hit a record high, making up 21.9% of all deals, while women-powered businesses were slightly higher at 22.3%.
Equity crowdfunding has proven itself as transformational, driving the highest number of deals across the U.K.’s high-growth ecosystem. Since 2015, there have been 3,647 equity crowdfunding deals, of which 802 were women-powered fundraises, making it the leading investment route for female-founded and led businesses.
Entrepreneurs are increasingly attracted to equity crowdfunding because it provides access to early-stage capital often unavailable through traditional VC, combined with strong community backing and investor engagement. Two investment crowdfunding platforms stand out:
- Republic's (formerly Seedrs) women-powered deals grew more than fivefold from 7 in 2015 to 40 in 2024
- Crowdcube recorded an 18.9% year-on-year increase in women-led participation in 2024
See: State of UK Equity Crowdfunding Entering 2025
Over the last five years, equity investment in women-powered businesses grew nearly 97% from £2.29 billion in 2021 to £4.51 billion in 2025.
Exits also tell a updated story. After dipping in 2023, women-led companies generated £5.23 billion in disclosed exits in 2024, compared with £6.74 billion for male-led firms, creating one of the closest splits on record.
Charlotte Bobroff, Head of U.K. Women & Wealth:
"Women are surpassing milestones like never before, and their rapid rise is having a sizable impact on our overall economic output.”
Ecosystem Challenges
Melis Kahya Akar, Managing Director at General Atlantic, noted persistent capital gaps. She added that investors have a responsibility to foster networks and mentorship:
“According to the World Bank, [women-led businesses] receive just 3% of global VC funding. When women do attract capital, they tend to raise smaller amounts than their male-led equivalents. The result is that fewer women-led businesses reach the later growth stage, at which we usually look to invest.
See: How Fintech Firms Can Profit by Serving Women
Representation matters, but there is currently a lack of visible role models, peers and mentors for women entrepreneurs. Only 11% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women, and while this is an increase on previous years, the relative scarcity can act as a deterrent for other women.”
Fintech and Digital Innovation
The report highlights fintech and other digital sectors as among the most active areas for women-powered businesses.
In 2024, Software-as-a-Service, online retail, data provision, AI, and fintech were leading sectors for equity deal activity. Data-driven firms led by women have grown sharply, with deal activity in data provision rising from 233 in 2020 to 302 in 2024.
Why It Matters
The doubling of female-led high-growth firms, growing access to capital, record-setting exits, and strong representation in fintech and digital-first sectors point to structural change. Download the full report
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 aa 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
| | |
|---|---|---|
| | |
Overview of OMG Casino: A New Online Gaming Platform in Canada
Sep 25, 2025
Image: Freepik/wayhomestudio
In Canada’s expanding online gaming market, a new platform has appeared with a straightforward setup that includes slots and table games. OMG Canada online casino offers both, along with a welcome bonus for new users. Navigation is simple, and the lobby presents a wide slot selection plus familiar table formats.
OMG Casino Welcome Offer
New accounts qualify for two starting perks: a $5 signup reward just for registering, and then a 100% deposit match of up to $1,000 on the first deposit. For example, a $200 deposit adds another $200 to the balance. A $50 deposit brings $50 more, while a $500 deposit is matched with $500. The minimum qualifying deposit is $20. The funds can be used on all games, but there is a time limit of 30 days to meet the requirements.
Main points:
- The signup reward is $5 with no deposit needed.
- The first-deposit bonus is 100% up to $1,000.
- The minimum deposit to claim the match is $20.
- Deposit and bonus must be wagered before withdrawal.
- Certain games may be excluded from bonus play.
OMG Casino Promotions for Returning Players
The “Promotions” page shows rotating campaigns for active users. These include seasonal free spin bundles, slot tournaments, and occasional social media giveaways exclusive to followers.
While there is no formal loyalty program, the steady release of new slot titles and table games provides ongoing variety.
Welcome Bonus Requirements
Understanding how the welcome bonus works in practice is important before playing. Many new users are surprised by the size of the required playthrough, so this section outlines what those numbers mean in simple terms.
The welcome bonus requires 40x wagering. Example:
- Deposit $200 → receive $200 bonus → $400 total balance
- $200 x 40 = $8,000 in bets required before withdrawal
The site confirms the 40× rule, though it does not publicly list exact contribution percentages by game type. In general industry practice:
- Slots: 100% of each bet usually counts
- Roulette and blackjack: often count 10–20%
- Baccarat and poker: may be excluded
What Games Does OMG Casino Offer?
The games section is central to any casino review. At OMG, players can choose between classic tables, real-time live dealer sessions, and a broad range of slots from known providers. Below is a breakdown of the main categories.
Table Games
The lobby includes:
- Blackjack
- Roulette (European and French)
- Baccarat
Non-live versions of these games are available alongside live formats.
Live Dealer
The live dealer section lists Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette, and Sic Bo. These games are streamed with real dealers, and tables run daily.
Slots
The slot lobby highlights titles such as Joker’s Jewels, Joker’s Jewels Wild, Wolf Gold, Chilli Heat, Queenie, Fire 88, Diamonds are Forever, Legendary Diamonds, and Buffalo Hold and Win Extreme. Providers shown include Pragmatic Play, Booming Games, and NetGaming. Some of these games feature progressive jackpots with grand prize pools.
Mobile Experience
The site works on iOS and Android without an app. Menus adapt to small screens, and games load consistently on standard connections. Both landscape and portrait modes are supported.
The majority of games are mobile-compatible, with live dealer streams optimized for stable play on 4G connections.
OMG Banking Options
Payment and withdrawal options are an important part of any online casino, since players need quick deposits and predictable processing times. At OMG, the system is designed to be simple and transparent.
Supported payment methods:
- Interac
- Visa and Mastercard
- PayPal
- Skrill
- Paysafecard
Deposits are instant. Withdrawals are usually processed within 24–48 hours. The minimum withdrawal is $10, and the maximum aggregate withdrawal per day is $9,500 according to the payment policy. The casino does not charge fees, though banks or card issuers may apply their own. Compared with other casinos, the 24–48 hour processing window is standard, while Interac and e-wallets often clear faster.
FAQ Section
What is included in the welcome offer?
New players receive $5 on signup and a 100% deposit match up to $1,000 with a $20 minimum deposit.
How long do withdrawals take?
Withdrawals generally clear within two business days. E-wallets and Interac are faster.
Can I play on mobile?
Yes, the site works on mobile browsers without an app.
Which games contribute most to the wagering requirement?
Slots usually count 100%. Table games may count less.
Are there responsible gaming tools?
Yes, players can set deposit limits, time-out periods, or request self-exclusion.
Can I try games for free?
Many slots and some table games offer demo play without real money.
See: AuCan Backs Viral Gold Game with $10M in Real Prizes
OMG Casino provides a straightforward layout, a signup reward, a deposit match bonus, and a mix of slots, table games, and live dealer options. Clear payment terms and responsible gaming tools make it a practical choice for Canadian players. Seasonal promo campaigns also provide variety throughout the year.
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 aa 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
| | |
|---|---|---|
| | |
