TechConnex Awards Gala to honour the best of the best - May 29, 2014
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
Top 12 Technology Leadership Finalists Announced for 2014
TechConnex | Tiffany Chu | May 7, 2014
TechConnex Awards Gala to honour the best of the best - May 29, 2014
May 1, 2014, Toronto – TechConnex is pleased to reveal the finalists in four categories for the upcoming TechConnex Technology Leadership Awards: Most Promising Start-Up, Momentum Company of the Year, Market Expansion Leader, and Tech Company of the Year.
"We are delighted to introduce the nominees for the 2014 Technology Leadership Awards,” said Tracey Whitehouse, TechConnex Chair and Chief Operating Officer of TGO Consulting. "These are exciting, innovative, growing companies worthy of special recognition in the most enterprising technology region of Canada. We invite the entire Tech Community in the Greater Toronto Area to join us at the celebration of success as we announce the award recipients on the evening of Thursday May 29th.”
The finalists were nominated by their peers from amongst the nearly 12,000 small and mid-size tech companies in the Greater Toronto Area.
“The Awards Committee has done a great job of selecting these finalists from the many nominations we received,” said Pat Shaw, TechConnex Executive Director. “It’s as if you have only 12 spots at the dinner table and you have to pick from amongst 12,000 friends. And every year it gets tougher to select winners because the quality of nominees just keeps rising.”
In addition there will be awards presented to two leaders in the industry: The Lifetime Tech Leadership Award, and The Community Builder Award. On Thursday, May 29th, the leaders of these organizations and their companies will be recognized at the TechConnex Awards Gala & Showcase.
TechConnex is the only member-directed industry association in the Greater Toronto Area entirely focused on the growth of small and mid-sized tech businesses and their people through the sharing best practices, business insights and bright ideas.
Event Details
Thursday, May 29
BMO Institute for Learning
5:30pm – 10:00pm
Additional information and registration visit www.TECHCONNEX.ca/Awards.
Contact Info
Pamela Montgomery
Events & Community Manager
905-415-4558
Register for this event --> Now
Award Sponsors
About the awards
Nominations for each category were solicited from the community at-large, the Board and members of TechConnex and through social media tech community sites covering technology business in the GTA.
2014 Most Promising Start-up
This award is presented to a Greater Toronto Area based organization that has the greatest potential to demonstrate excellence in their business, and while embracing a commitment to the knowledge-based sector have steadily increased revenue, added employees, and embraced sound business fundamentals including the addition of an advisory board or board of directors.
2014 Momentum Company of the Year
This award recognizes an organization that has demonstrated excellence in innovation and a commitment to the knowledge-based sector in the Greater Toronto Area while consistently reaching new customers or delivering new services within an existing customer, increasing revenues, adding employees, encouraging community involvement and embracing sound business fundamentals.
2014 Market Expansion Leader
This award recognizes an organization from within the knowledge-based sector in the Greater Toronto Area that has demonstrated market innovation and successful export growth to reach new customers or deliver new services within an existing customer, increasing internationally sourced revenues, adding employees in the GTA while also encouraging community involvement and demonstrating sound business fundamentals.
2014 Tech Company of the Year
This award recognizes the organization that has demonstrated business leadership and excellence in innovation and a commitment to the knowledge-based sector in the Greater Toronto Area and possibly throughout Canada. Consideration in this category requires increasing profitability, community involvement and thought leadership, and demonstration of sound business fundamentals.
2014 Technology Enabler of the Year
This award recognizes the company or organization characterized as contributing in the role of tech enabler or “professional advisor or services” that has demonstrated business leadership innovation and excellence in a commitment to the growth and expansion of companies within the knowledge-based sector in the GTA. Consideration in this category requires increasing levels of community involvement and thought leadership, and demonstration of sound business relationships in the role as trusted advisor to tech business leaders.
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The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a cross-Canada crowdfunding hub providing education, advocacy and networking opportunities in the rapidly evolving crowdfunding industry. NCFA Canada is a community-based, membership-driven entity that was formed at the grass roots level to fill a national need in the market place. Join our growing network of industry stakeholders, fundraisers and investors. Increase your organization’s profile and gain access to a dynamic group of industry front runners. Learn more About Us or contact us at casano@ncfacanada.org.
Event Saskatchewan (May 28, 2014): Leading the Way – Emerging Equity Crowdfunding Environment
Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce | May 5, 2014
Leading the Way:
Saskatchewan's Emerging Equity Crowdfunding Environment
Wednesday, May 28th, 2014
Delta Bessborough
7: 30 am - Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:00-9:30 am - Equity CF Forum
10:00-11:30 am - To Equity CF or Not to Equity CF? Presentation
Saskatchewan is the first and only Canadian province to have approved an equity-crowdfunding specific exemption from securities law to raise capital. As Canada's entrepreneurial hot spot, Saskatchewan leads the way in this newest niche in the financing continuum. If you're an entrepreneur seeking capital, an angel investor interested in equity crowdfunding, or a service-provider wondering how the equity CF industry might benefit you … this is the event to attend!
Discussion Topics:
- Regulatory briefing: What are the proposed regulations, timeline and next steps?
- What are the challenges of our current capital raising markets and what solutions are coming?
- Are we doing enough collectively as a 360 eco-system to remain competitive in today’s global markets?
- How will crowdfunding spur business and economic growth, employment and innovation?
- Do these regulations provide significant protections for investors?
- What are the legal issues and proposed solutions that revolve around Crowdfunding transactions?
- Market pulse: what is happening on the ground in the Crowdfunding industry? (Issuers, investors, portals, and providers)
- What are the current provincial crowdfunding exemptions (Saskatchewan) & proposals and how do they differ?
MODERATOR:
Suzanne Paschall
Saskatchewan Ambassador, National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA)
Suzanne Paschall is the founder of Indie Ink Publishing, a micro-publisher and content and brand development agency for experts. She worked in PR for two major Canadian universities; owned a strategic communications consulting firm; worked in PR, licensed merchandising in the book trade and advertising in New York, and was a daily newspaper journalist and magazine freelancer in Kansas. She is also author of Birth of a Boom: Lives & Legacies of Saskatchewan Entrepreneurs. She completed her Masters in Continuing Education (Workplace Learning specialty) from the University of Calgary in 2001 and holds a B.Sc. in Journalism & Mass Communication from Kansas State University. She is Saskatchewan Ambassador for the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada, a crowdfunder, and blogs about crowdfunding through Indie's Muse (The ABCs of Crowdfunding).
FEATURED SPEAKERS:
Alixe Cormick
Founder, Venture Law Corp., Vancouver
Alixe is the founder and CEO of Vancouver-based legal firm, Venture Law Corporation and is an Advisory member for the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada. Alixe has assisted over 150 companies listing on stock exchanges and trading board in North America. She is a recognized and active thought leader on exempt securities and crowdfunding. She is also an active Angel Investor.
Dave Wild
Chair, Financial Consumer Affairs Authority (FCAA)
Dave Wild has been a leader in the transformation of marketplace regulation in Saskatchewan. He was appointed Superintendent of Pensions in 1992 and Chair of the Saskatchewan Securities Commission in 2001. In 2003, he became Chair and CEO of the Saskatchewan Financial Services Commission, which merged the province’s financial services regulators into a single agency. Recognizing that that existing rules for selling a stake in a company can be expensive, complicated and time consuming for small businesses or start-ups, FCAA made a bold move to allow equity crowdfunding in Saskatchewan in December 2013. Equity crowdfunding is intended to help fill the fundraising gap for these businesses so that they can compete in the market. FCAA is pleased that other provinces are contemplating similar rules.
Chris Masich
Chris Masich is an associate at Saskatchewan-based law firm McKercher LLP. Chris maintains a general corporate & commercial law practice and assists private and public companies with a broad range of commercial transactions including equity financings and security matters. Chris shares a keen interest in crowdfunding with fellow associate, Joseph Gill, and sees the unique opportunity it offers innovative Saskatchewan businesses.
Les Schaevitz
CEO, Holistic Funding Systems Corporation, Owner/Operator
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).
Wayne Watt
Owner and Principal, Liquid Capital Prairie Corp.
As an entrepreneur in the alternative capital financing business, Wayne has been interested in the potential for equity crowdfunding from its earliest days.
Wayne also represents the investor's perspective on the panel, as an active member of the Saskatchewan Capital Network of angel investors. He's the owner and principal of Liquid Capital Prairie Corp., a factoring company that buys account receivables from businesses to give them an immediate infusion of cash. Wayne also owns Liberty Tax Service in Saskatoon, an income tax preparation firm.
Blair Knippel
Partner, Deloitte LLP and Chair, Saskatchewan Capital Network
Blair has been with Deloitte since 1988, working extensively with a variety of clients and has been fortunate to work with several top regional Technology, Media & Telecommunication (TMT) businesses throughout his career as Deloitte’s TMT and CleanTech leader in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. He works in conjunction with TMT, CleanTech and other practitioners across North America to bring leading-edge tax and business ideas to clients and has been extensively involved in advising on the various business aspects of receiving crowdfunding, crowdsourcing and sourcing start-up funding. As a result, he is a sought after advisor for companies in the Saskatchewan entrepreneurial ecosystem. Blair is currently chair of the Saskatchewan Capital Network, a director for the MOSO Conference and continues to work with the private, investment and government sectors to bring angel tax credits to Saskatchewan. Previously, Blair co-chaired Saskatoon’s Science City Committee and was president of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce.
TICKETS: $20 + GST
ADDITIONAL "TO EQUITY OR NOT TO EQUITY" SESSION
How do you assess whether or not equity CF is right for you at this time? If it is, what do you need to have in place to be prepared for your first campaign? Taunya Woods-Richardson of The Kolo Project’s Let’s Talk Money teams up with VentureLaw Corp’s Alixe Cormick to deliver a power-packed session on getting your financial house in order to prep for your equity CF raise. FREE with your Forum ticket!
TO RSVP for this additional session, please contact: Taunya Woods-Richardson at talktous@thekoloproject.ca
Register for this event --> Now!!
The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a cross-Canada crowdfunding hub providing education, advocacy and networking opportunities in the rapidly evolving crowdfunding industry. NCFA Canada is a community-based, membership-driven entity that was formed at the grass roots level to fill a national need in the market place. Join our growing network of industry stakeholders, fundraisers and investors. Increase your organization’s profile and gain access to a dynamic group of industry front runners. Learn more About Us or contact us at casano@ncfacanada.org.
NCFA / VEC Event (May 21, 2014): Igniting Venture Capital in BC: Expert Panel on new Equity Crowdfunding Opportunities
NCFA and Vancouver Economic Commission | May 1, 2014
Event Hosts:
The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada in partnership with the Vancouver Economic Commission.
Sponsored by:
Event Details:
May 21, 2014
8:30am (PST) – 11:00am (PST)
Delta Vancouver Suites (Innes Thompson room)
550 West Hastings Street,Vancouver, BC V6B 1L6 (map)
Member Registration is $25 + (non-members $35)
Tickets are limited. Registration opens from 8:00 am (PST)
Event Hashtag: #NCFALive
Register for this event –> Now
Event Overview:
The crowdfunding industry is exploding with entrepreneurs, investors, portal operators, third party service providers and experts from around the world who are all jockeying for position to take advantage of a promising and brand new fundraising channel for small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs). (read more). On March 20, 2014, the BC Securities Commission (BCSC) published for a 90-day public comment period a new prospectus exemption – The Startup Exemption - modeled on regulations introduced in Saskatchewan Dec. 2013. This Crowdfunding specific exemption would allow early stage companies such as start-ups and small-to-mid-size enterprises (SMEs) to raise up to $300,000 of capital annually through the issuance of securities online while maintaining an appropriate level of investor protection. How does crowdfunding apply to other exemptions like OM or the proposed one for Existing Securities Holders? We have assembled a premier panel of industry, legal, investment and regulatory experts to bring forth and highlight key views and insights.
Topics include:
- Regulatory briefing: What are the proposed regulations, timeline and next steps?
- What are the challenges of our current capital raising markets and what solutions are coming?
- Are we doing enough collectively as a 360 eco-system to remain competitive in today’s global markets?
- How will crowdfunding spur business and economic growth, employment and innovation?
- Do these regulations provide significant protections for investors?
- What are the legal issues and proposed solutions that revolve around Crowdfunding transactions?
- Market pulse: what is happening on the ground in the Crowdfunding industry? (Issuers, investors, portals, and providers)
- Q&A feedback on BC’s Crowdfunding exemption proposal
Agenda:
8:00 am Registration Opens
8:30 am Session Kick-off
8:35 am Presentations
10:35 am Q&A Discussion (Open forum)
10:55 am Networking
Speakers:
Bill Tam
President & CEO, BC Technology Industry Association (BCTIA)
Bill Tam has been an entrepreneur and advisor to startup technology companies for over 20 years. In 2010, he joined the BCTIA as a mentor with Centre4Growth, advising a wide-range of technology firms. Prior to BCTIA, Bill was the CEO of EQO Communications and a Partner at SpringBank TechVentures, where he led investments in software and wireless. Additionally, Bill has held many senior executive positions. Bill is currently Chairman of the Board at Colligo Networks, an advisory council member at the University of British Columbia’s Electrical and Computer Engineering department, and a board member of BC Bioenergy Network.
Alixe Cormick
Founder, Venture Law Corporation
Alixe is the founder and CEO of Vancouver-based legal firm, Venture Law Corporation and is an Advisory member for the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada. Alixe has assisted over 150 companies listing on stock exchanges and trading board in North America. She is a recognized and active thought leader on exempt securities and crowdfunding. She is also an active Angel Investor.
Paul Geyer
CEO, LightIntegra Technology and Chairman, Neovasc
Paul Geyer is currently CEO of LightIntegra Technology, a firm that has developed ThromboLux technology which is used as a point of care device to determine platelet quality for blood transfusions. Paul is also Chairman of Neovasc , a company that develops medical devices for the rapidly growing vascular and surgical marketplace. Paul received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and in 1999, and was named one of the ‘40 Under 40 Award Winners’ for the top business people in BC by Business in Vancouver. In addition to various board positions, including many years of service on the Board of Science World, Mr. Geyer is an active Angel investor in technology and life science companies and was recognized as the BC Angel Investor of the Year in 2010.
Jonathan Bixby
Jonathan is a serial entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in starting, leading and growing technology companies. Jonathan is currently the Executive Director of GrowLab and is a Business in Vancouver Top 40 Under 40 award recipient. Jonathan Bixby was the CEO and a co-founder of Strangeloop Networks. Under Jonathan’s leadership, Strangeloop raised over $21M in financing. In February 2013 Strangeloop was acquired by Radware (RDWR). Prior to forming Strangeloop, Jonathan co-founded IronPoint Technology, the largest content management company in the country.
Ian G. McKay
CEO, Vancouver Economic Commission
Ian Gerard McKay was appointed CEO of the Vancouver Economic Commission in September 2013. Prior to this appointment, Ian served as the National Director for the Liberal Party of Canada from March 2010 to May 2013. Ian has led a distinguished career as an executive in international financial markets, as well as a political advisor to federal cabinet ministers. Ian has extensive financial market experience with firms such as EuroBrokers, Ueda Butler, Cantor Fitzgerald, and ICAP Capital Markets Inc. Ian’s works with the VEC to broaden and strengthen economic activity in the city of Vancouver.
Daryl Hatton
Daryl Hatton is founder and CEO of FundRazr, one of the top 10 brands in the burgeoning global crowdfunding market according to Forbes magazine. 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. In 2013 FundRazr won 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.
Leslie Rose
British Columbia Securities Commission
Leslie Rose is Senior Legal Counsel in the Corporate Finance Division of the British Columbia Securities Commission. In the 14 years she has worked at the Commission, she has participated in many policy projects, particularly concerning capital raising exemptions, continuous disclosure obligations for venture issuers, and take-over bid requirements. She is the Chair of the CSA Prospectus Exemptions Committee. Leslie was called to the BC Bar in 1995. Before joining the Commission, Leslie practiced corporate finance, securities and corporate/commercial law primarily for public companies.
Matthew McGrath
CEO/Founder, Optimize Capital Markets
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.
Who should attend this event?
This event is for financial professionals, crowdfunding industry stakeholders, issuers, investors, portals and dealers interested in staying on-top of the proposed Crowdfunding exemption regulations in British Columbia and providing feedback directly to the BCSC. JOIN THE DISCUSSION!
Registration opens from @8:00am (PST)
Event Kicks off at @8:30am (PST) sharp!
Register for this event –> Now
Consultation Nova Scotia (Jun 3 and 5, 2014): Crowdfunding is coming to Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Securities Commission | Tanya Wiltshire | April 29, 2014
Who: The Nova Scotia Securities Commission is hosting a public information session
What: Crowdfunding for businesses
Where: Nova Scotia Community Colleges
Waterfront Campus
June 5 @ 2pm – 4pm Rm 5329
Campus Boardroom 5th floor
80 Mawiomi Pl
Dartmouth, NS
Kingstec Campus
June 3 @ 10 a.m. - noon
Rm 2101
236 Belcher Street
Kentville, NS
This session is to provide Nova Scotians with information on the proposed government rules that will allow individuals and companies to crowdfund business projects using internet portals. There will also be additional information on other capital raising exemptions.
We are asking for potential and existing business owners, industry participants and local community members who are interested in raising capital to come to this information session and provide us with their feedback on the proposed Nova Scotia Crowdfunding exemptions.
Related:
-
CSA Equity Crowdfunding Draft Regulation 45-108 (Request for Comments until Jun 18, 2014)
-
Two Equity Crowdfunding Exemptions Taking Hold in Canada
The Nova Scotia Securities Commission published for comment on March 20, 2014 the Integrated Crowdfunding Prospectus Exemption (the Crowdfunding Exemption) and the Start-Up Crowdfunding Prospectus Exemption (the Start-Up Exemption). The proposed exemptions would allow companies to raise capital through internet portals.
The Crowdfunding Exemption and the Start-Up Exemption are designed to meet the needs of start-ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at different stages in growth while providing a number of investor protection measures.
Comment deadline is June 18, 2014. For more information: CSA Notice
Please RSVP by May 27, 2014 to:
Tanya Wiltshire
Securities Commission
902-424-8586
E-mail: wiltshth@gov.ns.ca
View the original Media Advisory --> here
Hardware Workshop (May 2-3, 2014): Coming to Toronto
Hardware Workshop | Marc Barros | April 24
We are excited to announce the next stop for Hardware Workshop: Toronto.
Hardware workshop is a two day event for hardware startups. Taught by experienced operators, it’s purpose is simple: Teach important lessons to the next generation of hardware entrepreneurs.
What makes this workshop unique is the quality of the content, the deep operational experience of the teachers, and the long term connections you will make. Hand curated, each teacher covers a unique topic that falls within the startup’s life cycle from an idea to reaching market fit.
WHEN?
Friday, May 2nd – Saturday, May 3rd
- Doors open at 9:00am
- Sessions run every hour (except for lunch) from 10am – 5pm.
- Followed by Happy Hour
WHERE?
366 Adelaide St W, Suite 500, Toronto, ON M5V 1R9
COST?
$75.00
This includes two breakfasts, two lunches, beverages, and happy hour.
Being entrepreneurs we are sensitive to charging for events, but we found a minimum amount enables us to make the events better (good food, audio/video equipment, location, organizer help, etc), while ensuring you are committed to the event.
HOW DO I ATTEND?
First you have to apply. We only have 75 open spots. We are looking for startup teams who are working on a hardware product and who really want to attend. We aren’t judging what people are building, just verifying people are actually building hardware. Otherwise the lessons we’re teaching can’t be applied. If your application is accepted you will get an email to purchase a spot.
APPLY HERE
HOW DO I BUY A TICKET?
Once you are accepted you will be emailed a code to purchase your ticket.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
Lots. We will have 12 different 60 minute sections, taught be experienced operators. The topics will cover some of the following:
- Refining to an MVP
- Defining your brand
- Navigating patents and IP
- Funding your hardware startup
- Being retail ready
- Building a team
- Turning customers into fans
- What happens after crowdfunding
- Picking the right supplier
- Telling your story
- Hardware design process
- Succeeding at crowdfunding
WHO IS TEACHING?
Marc Barros – Moment + Contour
Marc Barros is the co-founder of Moment, amazing lenses for your mobile phone. Prior to Moment, Marc was a co-founder and former CEO of Contour, a hands-free camera company that makes action video easy to capture and share. Shortly after graduating from the University of Washington, Marc co-founded Contour in 2004 and led the organization from a garage to a multi-million dollar company with hundreds of thousands of customers around the world. @marcbarros
Ben Einstein – Bolt
Ben Einstein is an experienced product designer and investor. Ben is currently the Managing Director of Bolt, a program built from the ground up to help promising early-stage hardware companies develop their products and get to market. Prior to starting Bolt, Ben ran Brainstream Design, a product design and development consultancy in Massachusetts. Ben has been directly responsible for bringing a long list of products to market covering diverse sectors including consumer electronics, high-performance audio, sporting goods and green energy.
Katherine Hague – ShopLocket
Katherine Hague is the Co-Founder of ShopLocket, a platform for hardware entrepreneurs looking to bring innovative products to life and into the hands of visionary consumers. Prior to founding ShopLocket, she worked as an independent digital media consultant and in a variety of marketing positions for Toronto-based startups. In January of 2014, ShopLocket was acquired by PCH International to help make a world where passion is the only requirement to bringing a product to life.
Zak Homuth- Upverter
Zak studied Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo doing his co-op internships at IBM in Germany, Infosys in India, and Sandvine in Waterloo, Ontario. He accepted a full-time job at xSandvine where he was responsible for both designing new hardware and scaling it into manufacturing. In August 2010, he left the company and founded Upverter. He wrote the first lines of code for the platform in Waterloo and now runs Upverter’s business affairs as CEO in Toronto.
Cindy Soo – Flextronics
With over 14 years of professional design experience, consulting for Fortune 500 companies across Asia, the US, and Europe, Cindy’s expertise is in creating engaging and meaningful experiences throughout a product or service’s lifecycle in the ‘Connected Living’ space (Wearables & Spaces). She leads multidisciplinary teams orchestrating creative strategy, with emphasis on user behavior, insight, goals, adaptability, fashion and wearability, and consumer trends.
Ashish Bidadi – Palette
Ashish is a co-founder and chief operating officer at Palette, the world’s first freeform hardware interface that can be built like Lego to control any software. Palette recently completed a successful crowd-funding campaign raising over $158,000 on Kickstarter. Together with his co-founder, Ashish has spent the eight months traveling between San Francisco, Shenzhen and Waterloo, bringing Palette to life.
Bill Drislane – Dragon Innovation
Leads pre-manufacturing strategy for Dragon’s clients. Authority on Quality and Reliability Engineering. Formerly VP of Quality for Euro-Pro and Director Asia Pacific for iRobot, Bill holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Engineering, as well as an MBA, from Cornell University. Little known fact: Bill is a second degree black belt in Taekwondo.
Andrew Currier – Perry + Currier
Andrew Currier is a recognised leader in the Canadian IP field. Mr. Currier is co-author with Stephen Perry of Canadian Patent Law (LexisNexis 2012, 2nd Edition 2014), the first comprehensive text on the subject by a practitioner in over 30 years. Mr. Currier practises as a patent and trademark agent through the firm of Perry + Currier Inc. and as a lawyer through Currier + Kao LLP.
Andrew Black – Brand Project
Andrew Black is the Founder of BrandProject, a company creation studio that builds, buys, and makes seed stage investments in disruptive consumer brands. BrandProject provides both consumer business building expertise and investment equity to its partner companies. Andrew has a wealth of experience helping to build some of the world’s leading consumer products and consumer technology companies, having been Founding CEO at Virgin Mobile Canada, President Americas at LEGO, General Manager for the US Equipment Business at Nike Inc., and VP Marketing-North America at Cadbury Schweppes/Dr Pepper 7UP.
Jon Lax – Teehan+Lax
Jon is the President and Co-Founder of Teehan+Lax. He is responsible for the overall strategic direction and operation of the company. Since starting Teehan+Lax in 2002 Jon has worked with clients like Beatport, Corcoran, Medium, Google, and Bell. He is responsible for establishing TL Labs and making Teehan+Lax one of the most respected companies in the digital industry. Jon can be found on twitter @jlax.
Oleg Gutsol- 500px
Co-founder and CEO of 500px. Envisioning the future of photography. Building amazing teams and great software. Passionate about technology, photography, music, travel and culture. Love meeting people.
APPLY HERE
Crowdfunding: An investor’s perspective
ITBusiness.ca | Gerard Buckley @jaguarcapital | April 17, 2014
Yesterday I had the distinct pleasure of being invited by the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada to be a panelist at their breakfast briefing “Igniting Entrepreneurship and Capital Flow in Ontario.”
The other distinguished panelists that I spoke alongside of were James Turner, vice chair of the Ontario Securities Commission, who gave an overview of the Ontario Securities Commission regulatory framework; John Wires of Wires Law who gave the legal overview; Jos Schmitt of Aequitas who spoke of structuring a portal and building an exchange for private securities and how that may be affected by crowdfunding; and yours truly, sharing my views as an investor. We spoke to a sold out audience led by Craig Asano, founder of NCFA and Murray McKercher, NCFA board advisor.
The timing of this briefing coincided to the “Introduction of Proposed Prospectus Exemptions and Proposed Reports of Exempt Distribution in Ontario” on March 20, 2014 and is open for comments for 90 days. This release of proposed amendments to ‘Prospectus and Registration Exemptions” include an Offering Memorandum (OM) Prospectus Exemption, a Family, Friends, and Business Associates Prospective Exemption (FFBA), a prospectus exemption for distributions by a reporting issuer to it’s existing shareholders and the Crowdfunding Prospectus Exemption and regulatory requirements applicable to a Crowdfunding Portal which we addressed in the presentation.
Related:
-
CSA Equity Crowdfunding Draft Regulation 45-108 -- Request for Comments
-
Two Equity Crowdfunding Specific Exemptions Taking Hold in Canada
I would be the first to admit that two years ago I was skeptical of crowdfunding and did not feel that that it would provide a viable alternative for capital formation. Today I believe it is required for me and others to be part of the discussion so that entrepreneurs are well informed on crowdfunding and if they take advantage of this Prospectus Exemption they will continue to be positioned for future capital fundraising for their company. It is my view that crowdfunding will be introduced in most provincial jurisdictions in Canada later this year or early next year as both regulators and government would like to ensure the environment for capital formation for seed and early stage innovation is robust and the introduction of crowdfunding will have low budgetary impact for provincial governments.
My comments here within are divided among three distinct groups of investors, some concerns of regulators , the unintended consequences of crowdfunding and my attempt to be futuristic about how crowdfunding may be viewed several years after implementation.
The general market or ordinary investor perspective
Everyone is speaking of the democratization of investment opportunity in early and growth stage private companies. I see no evidence that most investors that currently invest in mutual funds, ETFs, GIC’s etc. are lining up to invest monies in equities of seed and early stage companies. These changes in prospectus exemptions will be no panacea for the investee companies. Currently less that 10% of Canadians hold equities on a direct basis. As a result of the introduction of crowdfunding I don’t see that number rising substantially in the coming years. Most investors that I speak to are concerned that the gestation period for an ROI (Return on Investment) from crowdfunded Investments will be long and they will take a wait and see approach.
Like it or not investment in early stage companies is a high risk investment. I commented in Money Sense Magazine in May of last year that this asset class should be considered part of an investor’s total portfolio where alternative investments including commodities, speculative ventures, derivatives, early stage companies, etc. should be no more that 5 to 10% of the investor’s portfolio. Any prudent financial adviser or portfolio manager would follow this theory.
During the Q&A I was specifically asked if RSP’s and Registered Savings Plan assets could be used to invest via the crowdfunding exemption in early stage companies. The legislative intention is that these savings plans be used for the longer term liabilities of retirement and therefore from a asset management perspective be matched with longer term assets. A equity investment in a high risk seed or early stage company does not align with the longer term nature of the assets of a registered savings plan.
The accredited investor perspective
Accredited investors who include our members at Maple Leaf Angels don’t require legislative change to invest in seed or early stage companies. This is the group that is most blase about crowdfunding as they already have the opportunity to invest in private companies. However, I believe it is this group that in the fullness of time will adopt to investing through portals such as Funders Club or Angel List.
It is accredited investors that will be investing the largest amounts as they adopt the technology and become comfortable with the investee companies. I believe in the early evolution of crowdfunding, cannibalization of investment from this group through private placement or offering memorandum will be disguised as crowdfunding to demonstrate the success and adoption rate of crowdfunding. It is generally understood that currently a Crowdfunding Campaign requires 30 per cent or more of the raise to be pre sold and with equity crowdfunding I don’t see that number changing substantially. It will be through traditional methods of pitch and present to accredited investors where this pre selling will occur.
Tech entrepreneur, business owner, knowledgeable individual etc. who is not an accredited investor
This investor currently is not permitted to invest due to not being an Accredited Investor. When referring to the democratization of investment opportunity it is this investor that is being most referred to. They will be the early adopters investing via a portal for both Offering Memorandum and Crowdfunding Exemptions. They are the friends and associates of the founders of the seed and early stage companies we speak of. They will most likely have exited their own startups and will have investable capital of between 200k and 1mm and come from the millennial generation. They understand the space, participate in the ecosystem, went to school with the founders and I believe will be the most active new investors under the Crowdfunding Exemption. However as a result of the Crowdfunding limits the Offering Memorandum Exemption may become the exemption of choice for this investor.
Investors from the perspective of the regulators
You can not expect that in this day and age that the regulators will give cause for a condition to exist where individual investors are not being protected. It is also highly unlikely that they will discharge this responsibility to a third party such as a SRO (self regulated Organization). Selling unsuitable investments to seniors is a significant concern for regulators as selling unsuitable investments represented >40% of IIROC’s disciplinary actions last year and too many of these actions had seniors as victims.
I feel that credit must be given to the OSC for the pace in which they brought these four Prospectus Exemptions to the marketplace. Having just attended the Angel Capital Association’s Annual Summit in Washington the buzz is, Canada is further advanced than the USA on it’s initiatives for capital formation for seed and early stage companies siteing such programs as Start-Up Visa, FEDDEV’s IBI program and Province of Ontario’s ANP (Angel Network Program) as examples.
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2014 Funding Roadshow Crowdfunding Competition Launches April 9th Introducing The Fundees Awards – 2 Grand Prizes worth $10,000 + More
FundRazr and Fundica Press Release | Roy Gong | April 8, 2014
Montreal/Vancouver: Two of Canada's most successful funding platforms, Fundica and FundRazr, have teamed up to add an exciting crowdfunding layer to the 2014 Funding Roadshow.
The Fundees Crowdfunding Competition, powered by FundRazr, will be unveiled at the Toronto and Guelph Funding Roadshow events on April 9th and 11th, respectively. Visit www.FundingRoadshow.com/Fundrazr for more details.
A Grand Prize package worth $10,000 awaits 2 Canadian startups that tap the crowd most successfully in either the Keep-it-All or All-or-Nothing streams. Startups across Canada (excluding Quebec) will strut their stuff during the 7-week "competition period" running from May 5th - June 23rd, 2014.
Campaigns can be created and updated starting April 9th until the end of the competition period. The leaderboard will go live on May 5th and campaigns can be launched publicly on that date. All competitors will also access valuable incentives detailed below.
"Crowdfunding is a proven and powerful new way for entrepreneurs to build community, get market feedback and raise alternative financing," said FundRazr CEO Daryl Hatton. "We are pleased to launch The Fundees competition to celebrate more entrepreneurs raising capital as funders and backers conveniently access the campaign stories and perks online."
View: The Fundees Leaderboard now
The Grand Prize includes: a Future Equity Crowdfunding campaign on the FundRazr platform with FundRazr fees waived1 (valued at $5,000+), a Startup Marketing package courtesy CrowdClan (valued at $2500), a Winner Promotional package including profile video courtesy FundRazr (valued at $2,500) and the coveted first ever Fundees Award representing market validation by the Crowd. Best of all, competitors keep the funds raised during the campaign.
"We are excited to enable more entrepreneurs, even outside the 10 cities we visit, to access complementary funders via this crowdfunding competition," stated Fundica CEO Mike Lee. "The proven FundRazr technology will enable campaign set-up and related tools to help campaigns succeed right on the FundingRoadshow.com website."
All eligible3 competitors that launch campaigns will also qualify for two great incentives. CANARIE is offering one year of DAIR cloud infrastructure services worth more than $2,000. DAIR provides entrepreneurs with high performance, made-in-Canada cloud resources for development, testing and demonstration of new products and services utilizing advanced computing and network technologies.
Free Webinars: The Funding Roadshow Webinars April 15 and April 7 - Crowdfund your business, Raise Money for Your Startup
Competitors will also be eligible to receive an exclusive invitation to Canada's first Equity Crowdfunding cohort courtesy of FundRazr. The cohort will be among the first startups to have the opportunity to raise capital under the new Canadian crowdfunding exemptions. The will receive beta access, coaching, event and networking opportunities.
"We've extended the competition period to allow entrepreneurs in cities whose Funding Roadshow events do not occur until May to better participate,” stated FundRazr CMO Bret Conkin. He added, “The competitors will gain valuable crowdfunding and social media experience and have fun along the way. However, unlike The Dundies Awards on the TV show The Office, not everyone will get a Fundees Award.”
Crowdfunding Workshops will be held at several Funding Roadshow events including the Toronto and Guelph stops, as well as via online webinars (webinar dates to be announced shortly). These sessions will share best practices as well as insights on the future of crowdfunding in Canada. Attendees can learn more about The Fundees Competition and alternative financing.
About FundRazr
FundRazr is Canada's most successful crowdfunding platform with $45M raised in over 20 countries over 40,000 campaigns that span entrepreneurial, personal and charitable projects and causes. FundRazr offers a suite of Business Crowdfunding Solutions including Donations, Rewards and Pre-order with Equity solutions planned for Fall 2014. Crowdfunding-as-a-Service technology (CFaaST) was launched in 2013 to enable businesses to offer crowdfunding to their community - Powered by FundRazr. Recent FundRazr awards include 2013 BCTIA Most Promising Startup and the Profit Magazine Hot 50. For more information, visit www.business.fundrazr.com.
About Fundica
Fundica, Canada’s most successful traditional funding identification and connection platform, matches entrepreneurs, private investors, public funders and advisors. Through unique crowdsourcing/crawler technology, Fundica provides an up-to-date, comprehensive and intuitive platform. Additionally, Fundica manages the Funding Roadshow, an annual cross-Canada event. In 2013, Fundica earned a Bronfman Foundation Top 25 Emerging Entrepreneurs Award and was named an Intuit Financial Literacy Startup Finalist. For more information, visit www.fundica.com.
