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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
Crowdfunding Health Innovation: Disruptive Companies And Funders Meet To Change Health Delivery
Forbes | Nicole Fisher | March 3, 2014
Two of the most significant pieces of legislation in decades, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act, are poised to transform the entire spectrum of health care. The ACA regulates everything from health insurance requirements to tax collection. The JOBS Act regulates businesses that fund their ventures online. In tandem, these two bills have created a new world for health care innovators and investors. Ironically though, it is the innovators and investors who are joining forces to do what the ACA is unable to do: reduce costs and increase access. At the 7th Annual OneMedForum recently in San Francisco more than 400 one-on-one investor meetings were conducted between venture capitalists and startup health care companies, all in the name of disruptive innovation.
The OneMedForum was held in unison with the JP Morgan Conference, aimed at bringing thought leaders, reformers and financiers together to change the delivery of health care. Change that is desperately needed based on Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that federal spending for the major health care programs and Social Security would increase to a total of 14% of GDP by 2038, twice the 7% average of the past 40 years.
The creators of the programming believe that disruptive innovation is the key component to reshaping the future of health care. They have faith that raising capital online post-JOBS Act will flourish, and that crowdfunding and secondary markets is the fastest way to create smarter clinical trials, personalized medicine and allow private companies to go public.
Related: Healthline introduces medical crowdfunding powered by FundRazr - A new way to fund medical expenses
According to conference organizer Brett Johnson’s opening remarks, “Health care is at a critical moment in the United States. Without dramatic changes, the costs of health care will bankrupt the US and consume the vast majority of our resources. Hope lies with innovation.”
OneMedPlace
At the helm of the OneMedForum is OneMedPlace, a company focused on partnering and facilitating meetings between investors and reformers, creating unique platforms for companies and producing OneMedTV live streaming shows and documentaries about health reform.
In-line with most conferences, there were post-event receptions for networking hosted by the likes of AdvaMed2014 and BDO, and panel discussion with experts discussing the ACA and specific topics related to health reform. However, unlike other conferences OneMedForum claims that their role is as a provider of platforms to showcase innovation, which directly rewards the entrepreneurs and investors as strategic discussions and introductions are begun.
“A characteristic unique to OneMedForum is the natural and scheduled opportunities for meaningful introductions and discussions,” says Chelli Miller, President and CEO of ChelliConnects. “OneMedPlace also has their thumb on regulatory and investment issues affecting startup companies, such as offering panels on the JOBS Act before anyone else.”
Another unique aspect of this year’s conference was the primary policy themes that were woven throughout the presentations and panels. Using the JOBS Act and the ACA as dual backbones of the 2.5 conference days, thought leaders such as William Hambrecht, Steve Burrill and Jason Hwang shared insight with the CEO’s of more than 85 biotechnology, life sciences, medical device and venture capitalism companies.
Continue to the full article --> here
Event Toronto (March 7, 2014): Converge 4.0 – Crowdfunding Edition
Omega Group & Madflower Creative | Massoud Abbasi | March 3, 2014
Friday, 7 March 2014 at 7:00 PM - Saturday, 8 March 2014 at 2:00 AM (EST),Toronto, ON
We are excited to once again bring to you another edition of CONVERGE, a one of a kind business and social event that will bring together Toronto’s finest professionals, entrepreneurs, brands and leading organizations for an informative and energetic evening of conversation, camaraderie and celebration. CONVERGE 4.0 will focus on Crowdfunding, one of the most viable and popular methods of raising capital for any project or venture in today’s marketplace.
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Crowdfunding has made it possible for individuals and companies to access capital they might not have been able to in the past and hence has leveled the playing field for entrepreneurs and anyone with a passion or idea to be able to actually tap into the collective population for capital for their project. It has been nothing less than revolutionary and will only continue to grow in size and scope making it possible for virtually anyone to raise capital for their projects and dreams. In light of this, we thought it would be of immense value to produce a top-notch event and bring together key players in this field such as Indiegogo and Kickstarter amongst many others. We will be announcing our esteemed panelists as they are confirmed leading up to March 7th.
As with the past editions, each CONVERGE features a cast of four successful entrepreneurs who will do 10-minute presentations followed by a Q&A about their business -- including the trials and tribulations they have gone through on their paths to success. They are:
-Craig Asano, Founder and Director, National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA)
-Ayah Norris, Head of Canada Marketing and Community, Indiegogo
-Jordan Whelan, Creator and Producer, The Crowdfunding Show
-Andrew Lord, Associate, Davis LLP, expert crowdfunding lawyer
Sean Stanleigh, the esteemed Editor in Chief, for The Globe & Mail's Report on Business will once again be moderating.
As with previous CONVERGE events, following the exclusive 2 hour panelist session from 7-9pm, attendees will have the opportunity to partake in the upscale social gala until 2am where they can mix and mingle with 500+ influential guests, VIP’s, celebrities, the panelists and the media over cocktails. This portion of the night will be headlined by a special guest DJ and will include prizes and take-away gifts for our guests.
Pictures from the previous CONVERGE can be found at the following link: http://omegagroup.ca/gallery/converge-2-0/
We look forward to seeing you on March 7th at this exclusive event at one of Toronto’s finest and most prestigious venues, The Windsor Arms Hotel in Yorkville. Thank you for your continued support and interest in CONVERGE.
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Up-Coming Events
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 a 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, 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
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All Events
The National Crowdfunding
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 a 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, 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
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Communitech Video (Feb 5, 2014): Titan Learning event: All about crowdfunding
Communitech | via John Wires | Feb 5, 2014
Watch the video here
Tannery Event Centre
151 Charles Street West
Kitchener, ON
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
It’s a growing global phenomenon that has allowed entrepreneurs to raise the capital they need to start new ventures and launch new products. Come hear about the ins and outs of crowdfunding in Canada from renowned experts at our next Titan Learning event.
Speakers will include:
Ayah Norris, Canadian Marketing + Community, Indiegogo
Ayah Norris leads Marketing and Community in Canada for Indiegogo, the international crowdfunding platform. Ayah helps lead crowdfunding growth in Canada through discovering and supporting campaigners, building partnerships, and engaging communities through events, workshops, and social media. Ayah is also Co-Creator of The INSIGHT Project, an award-winning, crowdfunded digital media platform sharing the stories of grassroots, creative game-changers.
John Wires, Founder, Wires Law
Lawyer and entrepreneur John Wires has been an advisor to the National Crowdfunding Association (“NCFA”) since its inception. In 2013, John opened Wires Law, a corporate commercial law firm that delivers legal services to entrepreneurs and small and medium sized business across Canada. John has been covered in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, CBC News, TechVibes and the Canadian Bar Association’s National Magazine on Crowdfunding in Canada.
Titan Learning events feature experiences and outlook from those in the know. They’re brought to you by Communitech’s Titans of Technology.
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 | Prezi or contact us at casano@ncfacanada.org.
MicroVentures Unveils Real-Time Crowdfunding App at LAUNCH Conference
PRWeb | MicroVentures | Feb 21, 2014
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) February 21, 2014
MicroVentures, the leading Venture Capital Investment Platform, is announcing the debut of a new mobile crowdfunding app at this year’s LAUNCH Conference in San Francisco. The new MicroVentures webapp will allow conference attendees, for the first time ever, to indicate interest to invest in the very startups that are presenting at the conference, right from their phones or tablets, in real time.
“We’re thrilled to be the first company to enable the next era of startup financing,” MicroVentures CEO Tim Sullivan said. “The LAUNCH Conference will provide the unique opportunity to observe the top innovators in startup technology, speak directly with the founders, and then, using our mobile app, immediately indicate investment interest. This is an extremely exciting development that wouldn’t be possible without MicroVentures and the JOBS Act.”
View: Fake Crowdfunding cuts through the chaos at launch festival 2013
Thanks to the implementation of Title II of the JOBS Act, general solicitation is now legal and the companies showcased at LAUNCH can openly share information with potential investors at the conference. LAUNCH attendees will be able to view company pitch decks and videos directly in the new MicroVentures app.
“Before October 2013, it was not possible for startups to actively solicit funds in a public forum like the LAUNCH Conference,” MicroVentures Founder and President, Bill Clark said. “Because of the recent changes in crowdfunding laws, now we can facilitate an investment at LAUNCH through our mobile app. This is a huge development for startup investing.”
Related: Equity Crowdfunding Regulations in Canada FAQs
MicroVentures will also track real time investor interest on stage for each company, and enable the audience to see live results throughout the conference. Furthermore, those who express interest in companies through the app at the conference will have an exclusive opportunity to invest in the companies through the MicroVentures platform.
With 9,000 attendees, LAUNCH boasts the largest live audience in technology. It has been called a “must attend event for early stage companies and investors” as well as “the place to discover the next billion dollar opportunity.” MicroVentures is proud to be a featured partner of the LAUNCH Festival this February 24th-26th in San Francisco.
Continue to the full article --> here
Webcast (Feb 21, 2014): Experts Panel Discussion Equity Crowdfunding and Market Trends
NCFA Canada | Craig Asano | Feb 12, 2014
Event Host:
The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada
Sponsored by:
Registration Details:
Date: Friday February 21, 2014
Time: 12pm – 1pm EST
Format: Moderated panel discussion (online webinar)
Price: Free for members; Optional donation for Non-members (or Join today…)
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Notes:
* A webinar link (TBD) will be emailed to everyone who registers for this webinar with detailed instructions on how to join and participate.
* If you have specific questions that you would like addressed by a panel of crowdfunding experts, please email them ahead of time to casano@ncfacanada.org.
* This webinar is part of a series of webinars sponsored by NCFA Canada and partners.
* There are a limited number of tickets available.
Who Should Attend?
This is an educational webinar for those interested in staying current with financial trends, market updates/innovations and equity crowdfunding regulations targeting portals, SMEs, startups, angel investors, VCs, accountants, lawyers and other industry providers.
Webinar Overview:
Ever since the Jobs Act was announced in 2010, equity crowdfunding has gained interest from all industries – so much in fact that “crowdfunding” searches on Google recently outnumbered that of “venture capital”. We’ve seen the success of well-known campaigns such as the Pebble Watch and the economic benefits in terms of GDP; however, where is this exciting movement/industry/trend heading? Join NCFA Canada and special guests as we discuss growing trends and the future outlook for global crowdfunding in 2014, including discussion topics as:
- Market Updates: How is crowdfunding disrupting traditional sources of funding in industries including venture capital, social enterprise and government?
- How have technological trends such as social media, mobile, and cloud computing impacted the growth of crowdfunding? (i.e. FundRazr’s cFaaST Technology)
- The evolution of debt and equity crowdfunding in the US, including title II and title III models
- Emerging equity crowdfunding regulations in Canada and future outlook
Agenda:
12:00 - 12:45pm EST: Panel Discussion
12:45pm - 1:00pm EST: Q&A
* May extend Q&A time permitting
Moderator:
This discussion panel will be moderated by Craig Asano, Founder and Executive Director of NCFA Canada and includes diverse perspectives from the following industry experts, including crowdfunding portal operators, entrepreneurs, consultants, and lawyers:
Speakers:
Daryl Hatton, Founder/CEO of FundRazr, Canada's largest crowdfunding platform, has 30 years of industry experience and a passion for building companies from the ground up. One of his earliest ventures had a successful NASDAQ IPO in 1999. Over $200 million in software and services have been sold from products directly related to Daryl's vision. He serves as a board member and mentor to a number of start-ups and works as a social media product advisor to PayPal. FundRazr was named Most Promising Start-up at the 2013 BCTIA Technology Impact Awards.
Christopher Charlesworth holds an MBA from the Joseph L. Rotman School of Management, The University of Toronto, and an Honours Bachelor of Political Science from The University of Western Ontario. Christopher worked as a management consultant in Indonesia, Canada, and the United States across several practice areas, including financial services, marketing, and social media. As Co-Founder of HiveWire Christopher supervises the deal-flow and sales pipeline, and is also responsible for strategic partnerships. He publicly advocates for the wider adoption of crowdfunding within the Canadian context.
Alixe Cormick is the founder of Venture Law Corporation in Vancouver, BC and concentrates her legal practice in the areas of initial public offerings, follow-on offerings, reverse takeovers, capital pool corporations, qualifying transactions, mergers & acquisitions, secondary listings and exempt market financings. Alixe has assisted over 150 companies list on stock exchanges and trading boards in North America, registered four broker dealers in Canada and has acted as outside legal counsel to three Canadian mutual funds. She is also an active angel investor and speaker at several conferences in Canada discussing the legal aspects of crowdfunding.
Myles Harding is the President of Inline Reference Check, the premier pre-employment screening and background checking company in Canada. Formed in 1997, and with over 35,000 completed files, Inline Reference Check’s veteran staff perform in depth, professional, reference, retention, exit interviews and due diligence at the highest level of service. Inline Reference Check specializes in Reference Interviews, Criminal Record Checks, Credit Inquiries, Education Verification, and Employment Verification throughout North America.
Lyn Blanchard is President of Creekstone Consulting Inc., a management consulting company that supports clients in the areas of strategic planning, alliance creation, business development and financing. She is a frequent speaker and author on topics associated with innovation, crowdfunding and entrepreneurship. Her passion is to help companies grow to the next level of success. Lyn is the creator of “Krush – Crowdfunding with Heart”. A mentor, advisor and active entrepreneur, Lyn has a passion to help small businesses and start-up companies make their dreams a reality. With her experience and insights in raising capital, Lyn has developed tools, templates, insights and processes to help entrepreneurs get the funds they need to succeed.
Please email questions you'd like to address to the panel ahead of time to casano@ncfacanada.org
Register for this Webcast --> 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 | Prezi or contact us at casano@ncfacanada.org.
