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 and Networking Events
Event Wrap-up: 2nd Annual VanFUNDING 2016 Fintech Crowdfunding Conference (Vancouver)
Oct 18: VanFUNDING 2016 #MarketMaker Speaker shot @The Imperial Vancouver
Thanks to all partners, organizers, attendees and volunteers for making the 2nd Annual VanFUNDING 2016 Fintech Crowdfunding Conference a Success!
View Press Release
View Presentation Decks
View Photo Album
View Event Wrap-up
View Pitching Showcase Winners
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.
Presentation Deck: 2016 Small Business Forum Crowdfunding 101+ Workshop
NCFA Canada | Craig Asano | Oct 26, 2016
Oct 25, 2016, NCFA Canada delivered an hour Crowdfunding 101+ workshop at the 2016 Small Business Forum at the Metro Toronto Convention Center. This is an annual trade show hosted by Enterprise Toronto that attracts thousands of small businesses each year looking for funding, mentorship, tools, products and services to help them launch and grow. The presentation provides an overview of Crowdfunding markets, both regulated and non-regulated, case studies, deal characteristics to help startups and scaleups understand if Crowdfinance is right for their business. The deck also provides some insight into practical keys to success with planning, executing and following up on a crowdfunding campaign or investment round.
2016 small business forum crowdfunding 101 workshop
1. CROWDFUNDING COMPREHENSIVE INTRODUCTION 101+ Date: Oct 25, 2016 Prepared for: 2016 Small Business Forum, Enterprise Toronto Prepared by: National Crowdfunding Association of Canada
2. OUR AGENDA 2016 Small Business Forum: Enterprise Toronto PART 1: CROWDFUNDING OVERVIEW • What is Crowdfunding and why is it a game changer? • Crowdfunding examples and market growth • Is Crowdfunding right for me? Pros/cons for SMEs PART 2: PRACTICAL KEYS TO SUCCESS • Pre-Planning and Strategy • Executing a Campaign • Post-Campaign • Common mistakes PART 3: Q&A (15mins)
3. NCFA @2016 Small Business Forum National Crowdfunding Association of Canada 1500 Subscribers 3200+ Followers 1300+ Members 90+ Platforms 20+ Providers 45 Portals 2016 2015 2014 2013 Oct 2012
4. NCFA @2016 Small Business Forum Part 1: CROWDFUNDING OVERVIEW 1. Seeking Capital • Online marketplaces that connect companies to investors • Consultants (social media, marketing, advisory services) 2. Funding Portal & Enablers 3. Investors Retail or Accredited Individuals or organizations seeking funding Definition Raising capital online to fund all sorts of projects and ventures such as startups and scaleups (using the internet, social media and technology)
5. NCFA @2016 Small Business Forum Crowdfunding Part of the Capital Stack Crowdfunding isn’t a stand alone funding source. Crowdfinance includes retail, angels and VC participation too One big difference…Crowdfunding platforms are evolving & can scale – Chance Barnett, CEO of Crowdfunder
6. NCFA @2016 Small Business Forum Crowdfunding Case Studies Source: Kickstarter Campaign page 1. Innovation and Economic Growth Pebble Smart Watch (Great Canadian success) • Goal was $100K; Viral success preselling 69,000 watches raising over $10 million on US portal Kickstarter • Owner and Waterloo Engineering student, Eric Migicovsky, started company in U.S. Oculus Rift – Potential for Equity • Raised $2.4 million (goal was $250K) • Crowdfunding as an economic generator and on-boarding ramp to follow-on investment • March 25th news report Oculus was just bought by Facebook for $2 billion
7. NCFA @2016 Small Business Forum Crowdfunding Case Studies 2. Community Development in Canada Invest YYC, Calgary, Alberta • Platform: InvestYYC (www.investyyc.com) • Launched Jan 2013 • Funds raised $650,000 across 47 projects • Average raise $13,892 3. New Product Development & Marketing “Coolest Cooler”, Portland, Oregon • Platform: Kickstarter • Launched Jan 2014 • Goal was $50K; raised over $13 million from over 62,000 backers
8. NCFA @2016 Small Business Forum Global Growth in 2014 ($13.2 billion) Past Prediction
9. NCFA @2016 Small Business Forum $36 Billion USD Source: Cambridge University and Nesta UK • World Bank Forecasts worldwide $96 billion annually by 2025
10. NCFA @2016 Small Business Forum • Growing market but small compared to the US • Impact of Canadian banking oligopoly $200 Million USD Source: Cambridge University and Nesta UK
11. NCFA @2016 Small Business Forum NCFA Canadian Crowdfunding Directory Reward/Donation: Equity-based via Dealer: • Steady growth in portals • Equity and Debt emerging • Fintech is all the rage • Real estate crowdfunding emerging Consumer and Small Business Loans:
12. NCFA @2016 Small Business Forum Basic Crowdfunding Models < $10K $10 - $250K < $100 - $350K+ < $250K - $3M+
13. NCFA @2016 Small Business Forum Rewards Sample:
14. NCFA @2016 Small Business Forum Equity Sample:
15. NCFA @2016 Small Business Forum Lending Sample:
16. NCFA @2016 Small Business Forum Regulated vs. Unregulated Markets < $10K $10 - $250K < $100 - $350K+ < $250K - $3M+ RegulatedUnregulated • Not issuing a security • Portals, transactions and participation is global • DIY approach to raising capital from an online community • Early seed stage type funding or community capital • Platform fees range from 0% - 9% • Regulated by provincial securities commission and other regulatory bodies • Many financing ‘exemptions’ or tools can be used, some have caps • Work with licensed Dealer-brokers (gatekeepers) • Fees are higher than unregulated (success fee, listing, carried interest management fee)
17. NCFA @2016 Small Business Forum • Wide distribution over the internet • Low cost, efficient, transparent capital • The `great equalizer` • Media/PR, awareness • Increase customer engagement and • Evangelize backers into investors (customer acquisition) • Reduce risk by getting feedback on new launches (product or ventures) • Market research Access to Capital Marketing Platform Validation • Raising funds via crowdfunding markets is a very public and transparent • Protect your IP and speak to a lawyer • Crowdfunding takes a lot of effort and commitment • The majority of Ideas fail to reach their funding goal • How will this affect your companies brand? Expose your Idea Resourcing Failure Crowdfunding Pros/Cons Benefits Risks For Companies
18. NCFA @2016 Small Business Forum Seedrs Portfolio Analysis (253 deals mid 2012 - 2015) Most popular category (of total 15): • Food & Beverage (11%) • Finance & Payments (11%) • Travel, Leisure & Sport (10%) Investors Returns • Platform Investors IRR 14.44% (Tax relief adj 41.87%) • Investors with 20+ investments outperformed overall market Is Crowdfunding Right for Our Business? 40% Digital Business 40% Hybrid20% Non-digital 60% B2C Businesses 10%20% B2B
19. NCFA @2016 Small Business Forum Trends in Crowdfinance & FinTech • Crowd is Growing more Liquidity: Syndication of investment opportunities (retail, accredited, angels, VCs, institutions) • FinTech Innovation: Improving transparency and removing information barriers that exist in private markets, data driven. Blockchain, ICOs, smart contracts • Regulations are opening up (OSC LaunchPad – Innovation Sandbox) • Companies are staying private longer (rather than going public)
20. PART 2: PRACTICAL KEYS TO SUCCESS “The harder I work, the luckier I get” Samuel Goldwyn
21. NCFA @2016 Small Business Forum Crowdfunding Lifecycle Planning & Strategy • The greater your planning efforts, the greater your chance of achieving your funding goal • Do not launch a crowdfunding campaign if you are not ready. (3 months) (40 days – 90 days) (Ongoing) Post-campaign • Your campaign is done but now you have to deliver on your promise • Fulfillment • Ongoing customer engagement Campaign Execution • Daily execution of tasks outlined in the campaign plan • Control, monitor and adapt Feedback Loop
22. NCFA @2016 Small Business Forum Success Factors SUCCESS 2. Network Strength • Sizeable online network and social media presence? • Will media/PR and influential bloggers cover your story? 1. Quality Idea & Pitch • Unique, enterprising and clear value proposition (conveyed online in a simple manner) • Get others excited about your story? • Clear funding target and specific goals? 4. Key Docs and Content • Compliant and necessary for investor review 3. Strong Committed Team • Is your team credible, committed and willing to deploy the resources and time to execute effectively? • Time management HARD WORK! 5. Marketing Campaign & Incentives • Planning and strategy with ability to execute through launch to post campaign
23. NCFA @2016 Small Business Forum • Build your crowd before you launch • Recommend content generation and social media workshops • Develop an online strategy for your business • Start with internal networks • PR Push: Build rapport with media folks, journalists and bloggers • Attend industry networking and community building events to grow your crowd • Evaluate your internal networks social reach to forecast a realistic ‘Funding Target’ based on conversion rates (i.e., 2%) • Prime your network before you launch (reach out, engage) • 20-30% of your campaign funding will come from your internal ‘friends and family’ network • Understand the difference between ‘Keep what you Raise’ vs ‘All or Nothing’ funding types Low Mid High Planning & Strategy Assess the Strength of Your Network and Establish Realistic Funding Target
24. Funding Lead Strategy, resourcing, fulfillment Build Your Funding Team Team Strength? Content & Media Manager Key message, content distribution, channel selection, engagement Compelling Spokesperson Spokesperson, media engagements NCFA @Money Forum • Is your Team 100% Committed and credible? • Do you have family and friends that can support? • Outsource? Legal, Accounting and Compliance Documents, resumes, valuations, trademarks/patents, incorporation etc.
25. NCFA @2016 Small Business Forum Equity Planning & Strategy • Key Milestones that impact business valuations • Minimum capital required to reach each stone? • What securities will you offer in which jurisdictions? • Funding platform you want to work with? Solid Capital Raising Plan • Business plan, portal compliance, financial statements • Investor term sheet, subscription agreement, pitch deck • Video, prepared PR releases, email responses etc. Prepare Key Documents (offline / online) • Identify potential investors, prime the pump, range investor potential to commit • Network, keep all doors and opportunities, road show, leverage PR/media, do not just rely on portal • Treat everyone you deal with, with respect Prepare for Outreach Campaign • Have them review to ensure compliance and credibility • All documents, offline and online and remediate where necessary Contact Legal and Other Professionals Getting Ready for an Equity Crowdfunding Raise
26. Planning & Strategy Not everyone needs a reward Altruism, especially for donation-based Reward Considerations Budget and timing Rewards cost money (shipping fees!) Bundle rewards Group rewards together Special – Scarce, Creative, VIP Limited quantity, unique experience Leverage in-kind from partners Use good will from donated contributions Types of Rewards Product Social Experiences Financial » Services VIP Access Add/update New Rewards Test market and iterate!
27. Targeting your networks Marketing campaign Engaging with your networks and prospects Reaching out to media and bloggers Asking networks to: 1. Learn about the project 2. Share 3. Invest 4. Champion / help promote 5. Support / volunteer Constantly monitor with analytics Are contributions happening? Make changes Daily Task List Online & Offline Feedback Loop Campaign Execution NCFA @Money Forum
28. NCFA @2016 Small Business Forum Post Campaign Thank You Messages Thank you team and backers/investors Positive Reinforcement Contributed to success of project Fulfillment Deliver on your promise Start to fulfil rewards right away Manage expectations Transparency Equity Considerations Shareholder Register Company Minutes Annual reporting requirements to shareholders Nurture New Relationships Ongoing communications and engagement Foster sense of community Develop integration plan Digital experience that moves people
29. Common Mistakes • We underestimated the time commitment involved • We didn’t test our campaign sufficiently • We launched before we were ready • We didn’t develop an accurate budget • We didn’t consult legal counsel or professional providers • We didn’t account for taxes • We tried to do everything on a shoestring • We didn’t realize how important the video was • We didn’t understand liability exposure (eg. misrepresentation) and intellectual property • We had little to no traction so we gave up • We blamed it on the portal
30. PART 3: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
31. PART 3: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Booth #135Booth #135
32. Join Us Education & Research Market Access Crowdfunding Infrastructure Capital Raising Prep Services Support and Leadership Advocacy GET IT IN TOUCH Canadian Crowdfunding Industry ncfacanada.org crowdfundingsummit.ca
The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a cross-Canada non-profit actively engaged with both social and investment crowdfunding stakeholders across the country. NCFA Canada provides education, research, leadership, support and networking opportunities to over 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.
Dragon’s Den Golden Ticket Winners announced at VanFUNDING 2016: ChatterHigh, Glance, My Green Space and Starling Minds
NCFA Canada Release | Team VanFUNDING | Oct 25, 2016
VANCOUVER, BC – October 25, 2016 – The winning companies in the Pitching Showcase at the VanFUNDING 2016 Fintech Crowdfunding Conference held last week at The Imperial are ChatterHigh, Glance, My Green Space and Starling Minds. VanFUNDING is all about igniting online and alternative venture funding opportunities and these innovative startups won the favour of the investor judges and the crowd and, ultimately, a potential ticket into CBC TV’s Dragon’s Den. (View photo album)
Other event highlights included: Bundeep Rangar of Finequia sharing the Rise of Fintech and its Impact on Private and Public Markets; Brenda Irwin and Simon Whitfield of Relentless Pursuit Partners sharing their eye-opening experience in backing Kickstarter sensation smart bike Van Hawks; Sherwood Neiss of Crowdfund Capital Advisors disclosing data trends toward massive alternative finance growth including 1344 current global crowd capital portals; and Caroline Ong of IBM showcasing IBM’s AI-driven Watson as a question answering machine and the rise of the Cognitive Era. Key sponsors included: PayPal, AltFinEsq, Zyber, Fasken Martineau, Vancity, Quidni Wine and R2Crowd.
The Pitch Showcase Winners and What’s Next
The Pitching Showcase saw 9 select ventures compete for a prize package highlighted by a front-of-the-line audition in BC for the 2017 season of Dragon’s Den.
“These four ventures stood topped the judge’s scores and then the crowd’s final vote. From fintech to edtech to gardening apps and online mental fitness programs, BC is proving a hotbed of startup tech innovation,” commented Crowdfund Suite Founder Bret Conkin. “Each venture is at a different stage with different capital strategies and raises. Stay tuned!”
ChatterHigh – Where Students talk about their future
CEO Lee Taal’s pitch explained the problem of high school students and teachers lack of an engaging and safe hub to learn, teach and connect on post-secondary and career options. Or as Lee stated, “If it’s not between their nose and their phone it doesn’t exist.” In turn, these institutions lack a way to engage and recruit these students. Lee shared how ChatterHigh offers a gamified interface to this information and connection via competitions like Canada’s Most Informed School and moderated Community Forums. Making career exploration fun drives traffic, anonymously, to these partner websites creating valuable exposure and analytics. The business model allows institutions to pay referrer fees for links back to their website.
What’s Next: ChatterHigh previously raised $825k in founder and seed rounds. At press time they had $250k committed on a $300k round to fuel growth in Canada and the US with room for another, ideally strategic, investor.
SAVE THE DATE: 3rd Annual Canadian Crowdfunding Summit Scheduled for March 1, 2017 at MaRS Discovery District
Glance Technologies – Mobile Payments at a Glance
COO Penny Green shared their mobile payment app Glance Pay, launched on September 7th, 2016 and how it solves the problems of restaurant customer’s waiting to get or pay for their bills. The app enables convenient mobile bill confirmation, bill splitting, tipping and payment while offering digital expense tracking and rewards. The restaurants improve productivity and customer experience as customers can leave when ready. Glance Pay co-founder Desmond Griffin successfully exited on parking app Pay by Phone and Glance Technologies Inc. (CSE:GET) is public with a valuation of $15.7M.
What’s Next: Glance raised around $2M via seed, IPO and private placements. While not currently raising capital, they are focused on restaurant acquisition toward a goal of becoming the biggest global mobile payment app for restaurants.
My Green Space – Grow food with Confidence
CEO Michael Moll shared his story of their app (Google Play, App Store) that enables anyone to grow their own food via planning, tutorials, reminders and troubleshooting. The judges were impressed by his solution’s ability to use data on location, sunlight, season, and plant biology and so on to recommend what to grow. Tapping a trend for millennial and others with a desire to garden, My Green Space offers innovative features like virtual garden maps, watering reminders and their business model includes freemium subscription and commissions on convenient access to seeds, boxes, soil and anything else gardeners need.
What’s Next: My Green Space has previously raised $60k from angels and is currently raising a $500k seed round, with $100k currently committed, closing Nov. 15th. Funds to be used for marketing and business and product development including software licensing.
Starling Minds – Build resilient minds
CEO Dr. Andrew Miki explained that mental health issues will affect every Canadian directly or indirectly through family members, friends, or colleagues. There are insufficient treatment resources to relieve the suffering of so many people and the costs to our global economy could exceed six trillion dollars by 2030. Starling Minds is an online mental health program for employees to reduce depression and anxiety symptoms while saving employers billions of dollars in reduced absenteeism and faster return to work times. Future plans call for AI and IoT integration to solve this global epidemic.
What’s next: Currently, Starling is seeking a two tranche investment of $1.5M and $10M to execute on their B2B go-to-market plan (adding senior sales, senior marketing, customer success), business strategy (driving growth through international indirect channel partnerships), and R&D roadmap (Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things) to continue building the most personalized solution for mental health.
The Prizes and Judges
The winners received a prize package led by a coveted front-of-the-line Golden Ticket for the next BC auditions of CBC TV’s Dragon’s Den (subject to there being another season). Other prizing included a LEAP program package subscription from Launch Academy, mentorship from Fasken Martineau and Crowdfund Suite, and resources including Nathan Rose’s soon to be released Equity Crowdfunding Guide and the Ultimate Startup Bundle.
“A big shout-out to the Showcase judges and Segment leads: Alexander Peh, Harvey Lawson, Marcus New, Gordon Clements, Sana Kapadia, Bill McGraw, Bob de Wit, Joseph Boyes, Hussein Hallak and Murray McKercher,” stated Craig Asano, Executive Director, National Crowdfunding Association of Canada and the event host. “As angel investors and ecosystem mentors, these judges provided powerful guidance to the pitching companies helping fuel the venture funding and job creation VanFUNDING 2016 is all about.”
# # #
About the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada
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, and community and eco-system partners and affiliates to create a strong and vibrant crowdfunding industry in Canada. For more information please visit: ncfacanada.org.
For more information, please contact:
Craig Asano
Executive Director
casano@ncfacanada.org
416 618 0254
@NCFAcanada
3rd Annual Canadian Crowdfinance Summit
Feb 28 - March 1, 2017 | Downtown Toronto
The 3rd annual 2017 Canadian Crowdfinance Summit (#CCS2017) is Canada’s largest national event covering fintech, crowdfunding, internet finance, venture funding and alternative finance markets. Access educational content, deal flow, and premier networking opportunities with over 75+ Canadian and international industry expert speakers in this fast-growing and lucrative industry. Join the national stage with online financing leaders, investors, and innovators.
2017 Canadian Crowdfinance Summit (Wednesday March 1 2017)
CCS2017 will build on the successes of the previous Summits with the most relevant speakers and latest content for all online funding models, internet finance, fintech crowdfunding and alternative finance:
- Cover all aspects of the industry including successes and challenges across all funding models and work to connect, build/grow and lay the foundation for a successful 2017;
- Showcase the foremost thought leaders, practitioners, entrepreneurs and investors;
- Inspire with innovative content, dynamic presentations, keynote(s), ‘stories from the edge’, expert panels and fireside chat interviews
- Facilitate prime networking opportunities for delegates, exhibitors and partners;
- Interactive workshops on models and hot sectors (eg., Entertainment and Real estate tracks);
- Pitching showcase of emerging companies from a variety of industries and growth stages;
- Provide media/branding opportunities for conference partners; and
- Mentoring opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses;
NEW Pre-CCS2017 Workshops & VIP Networking Reception (Feb 28)
The overwhelming response to the first two Summits combined with industry growth and diversification revealed the need to provide more curated workshops for various tracks as well as opportunities for funding platforms to showcase curated deals to prospective investors. So, we’re expanding the conference program to include pre-CCS2017 workshop content on February, 28, 2017 that will end with the VIP networking reception which was a great success last year.
More info:
www.crowdfundingsummit.ca
The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a cross-Canada non-profit actively engaged with both social and investment crowdfunding stakeholders across the country. NCFA Canada provides education, research, leadership, support and networking opportunities to over 1500+ members and works closely with industry, government, academia, community and eco-system partners and affiliates to create a strong and vibrant crowdfunding industry in Canada. Learn more at ncfacanada.org.
Just Released! Download Full Report Now
2016 Alternative Finance Crowdfunding in Canada report
Major Banks and Fintech Startups Update Their Status to ‘Frenemies’
Techvibes | Brenda Bouw | Oct 18, 2016
The relationship between big banks and financial technology startups has evolved in recent years. First the banks were standoffish to fintech, looking at the industry as a lightweight in a heavyweight ring they've dominated for decades. Then the banks started to see fintech as a threat, as the number of users of their online platforms grew. Today banks and fintechs are striking partnerships and/or investment deals to build fintech solutions together.
The relationship continues to mature, but how cozy the two sides will become remains unclear, say some fintech startups. It depends on how they work together, and consumers, over the longer term.
"I think the relationship will be more like frenemies. We need each other," Chantel Chapman, a Financial Fitness Coach at Vancouver-based fintech Mogo told a crowd at the VanFUNDING 2016 conference in Vancouver on Tuesday, put on by the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada.
Continue to the full article --> here
The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a cross-Canada non-profit actively engaged with both social and investment crowdfunding stakeholders across the country. NCFA Canada provides education, research, leadership, support and networking opportunities to over 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.
After Misjudging Market, Connected Bike Maker Vanhawks Has Been Resurrected with a New Approach
Techvibes | Brenda Bouw | Oct 18, 2016
The Vanhawks Valour campaign raised just over $820,000 on Kickstarter.
Vanhawks, maker of Valour, the world's first smart carbon fiber bicycle, has resurrected itself with a new marketing plan after coming close to shuttering earlier this year.
The Montreal-born company, which was a sensation on crowdfunding platform Kickstarter in 2014 before falling into financial difficulties, says its plan includes a hybrid sales model with both online and in-store sales. It's a chance in direction from its online-only sales model that promised to disrupt the bike industry. The now Toronto-based Vanhawks also says it has lined up promising partnerships in the bike industry to help influence sales of its product, which is a $1500 USD bike that can be connected to smartphones via bluetooth and track rider statistics, such as route and speed, in real-time.
"My whole effort for the last few months has been around partnerships, as opposed to throwing money at solving problems," Sohaib Zahid, a cofounder and CEO of Vanhawks, said in an interview on Tuesday. "I have solved it by forming partnerships with people I think will help and believe will put us back on track."
He won't yet name the partners, or the dealers readying to sell the bikes in the U.S. and Canada, but said Vanhawks is 'gearing up for 2017'.
See the full article --> here
The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a cross-Canada non-profit actively engaged with both social and investment crowdfunding stakeholders across the country. NCFA Canada provides education, research, leadership, support and networking opportunities to over 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.
VanFUNDING 2016 Brings 50 Industry FinTech and Crowdfunding Leaders to Vancouver on Oct 18th
NCFA Canada | VanFUNDING 2016 Release
VANCOUVER, Oct. 11, 2016 /CNW/ - In one week, the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA) will host VanFUNDING 2016, (#VanFUNDING) the second annual Fintech and Crowdfunding conference. This year's event, held at The Imperial in downtown Vancouver, has expanded to an interactive full day format.
Enterprise conference partners including PayPal Canada, IBM, Vancity, Fasken Martineau and others are gathering with 300 investors, entrepreneurs and industry experts to 'Launch, Connect and Grow' emerging Fintech Crowdfunding markets across Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest via powerful education, pitching and networking opportunities. With over 50 speaking participants and a long list of hot topics across 30 sessions, #VanFUNDING is a not to be missed Fintech and Venture Funding conference for professionals, vendors, startups, scaleups, ecosystem supporters and emerging industry players. Register Now to ensure your spot!
Featuring Leading Global Crowdfunding, Fintech and Alternative Finance Experts
A Who's Who of 50+ venture funding experts with keynote addresses and presentations to include:
- Shirley Vickers, CEO of BC Innovation Council officially opens VanFUNDING 2016
- Bundeep Rangar, Finequia CEO on "The Rise of Fintech and Its Potential Impact on Public and Private Markets"
- Caroline Ong, IBM Canada, Partner, Global Business Services, Analytics and Cognitive Leader on "IBM Fintech Innovations and Growing the Canadian Landscape"
- Sherwood (Woodie) Neiss, Crowdfund Capital Advisors/Venture Fund on "Global Data Analysis & crowdfunding trends: Roadmap for Innovation and Economic Growth"
- Barbara Gray, Author of Ubernomics and Analyst and Strategy Consultant, Brady Cap Research on "How to Create Economic Abundance and Rise above the Competition"
Hot Fintech, Crowdsourcing and Investor Perspectives:
- We built this city: Fintech Innovators from Lendified, Katipult, RentMoola and Wealthbar, along with Bill Tam, BCTIA CEO, talk innovation and the Future of financial services
- Bernd Petak of Finstripe highlights Key lessons from The DAO, a $146M decentralized crowdfunding experiment
- P2P lenders Cato Pastoll of Lending Loop, Chantel Chapman of Mogo, and others discuss Marketplace and 'instant lending' trends: Bank reactions & 360 perspectives
- Learn about the highs and lows of investing in Crowdfunding markets with Brenda Irwin and Simon Whitfield of Relentless Pursuit Partners
- Christian Cotichini of HeroX and Daryl Hatton of FundRazr break it down fireside to talk about "The unlimited potential of Crowdsourcing and incentives"
'Not to be missed' Raising Capital Sessions:
- Corey Herscu of Herscu & Goldsilver delivers invaluable insight to ventures on getting media attention with "How to guarantee the media opens your pitch emails"
- Crowdfinance FrontFundr lead, Peter-Paul Van Hoeken will answer the question, "Is Canada keeping up with the Joneses?"
- Elliot Mak from the BC Securities Commission will deliver a workshop on the 'Mechanics of Securities Crowdfunding – What you need to know'
- Alixe Cormick, President of Venture Law Corp and Jennifer Lucas, Managing Partner of Evans and Evans Inc. on Capital raising options for start-ups and scale-ups?
- Looking into Cross-border crowdfinancing options in the United States? George Georgiades, President of AltFinEsq and Bob Poole, Principal of Davidson and Company discuss opportunities for Canadian issuers to tap larger markets in the US using via Reg A/+
- R2Crowd executives Amar Nijjar and Chad Gemmell will educate investors on How to access commercial real estate deals and leverage tech to bolster 12-24 per cent ROI
Outstanding Line-up of Ventures Selected for Pitching
The lineup of innovative ventures competing in the Pitching Showcase includes: ChatterHigh, Copypants, Glance Pay, Hitch Planet, Keela, Mode, My Green Space, Reach and Starling. These hot startups and growth ventures will be vying for valuable educational, mentorship and promotional prizes. The pitching showcases will be hosted and led by Launch Academy, Wavefront and Kereitsu.
Also featuring three industry 'Pitch & Meet' pitches on the main stage to investors and the crowd are 'on the move' ventures currently in funding rounds: Quidni Estate Winery, FrontFundr and FundingNomad.
#VanFUNDING 2016 is proudly brought to you by: Title: Finequia; Pre-Event VIP Networking: PayPal Canada; Diamond: AltFinEsQ and Zyber; Gold: R2Crowd, Vancity, Crowdfund Capital Advisors, Fasken Martineau and Quidni Estate Winery; and Silver: Blockchain Canada, Katipult, Frontfundr, FundingNomad and Herox.
For a complete list of conference participants, speakers and event schedule visit the VanFUNDING conference website.
About the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada
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, and community and eco-system partners and affiliates to create a strong and vibrant crowdfunding industry in Canada. For more information please visit: ncfacanada.org.
SOURCE National Crowdfunding Association of Canada
For further information: Media Contact: Craig Asano, Executive Director, casano@ncfacanada.org, 416 618 0254, @NCFAcanada
