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 Webcast (April 8, 2013): Crowdfunding in the Canadian Context and OM Exemption
Posted by EMDA | Posted on April 5, 2013
The Exempt Market Dealers Association of Canada (EMDA) is launching a series of webcasts that will address current industry issues in the exempt market.
The first event will be a live webcast focused on Crowdfunding in the Canadian Context and OM Exemption. Join Sean Stanleigh, Editor of Report on Small Business, the Globe and Mail and other industry experts on April 8, 2013 at 4:30 pm EST. Find out the Crowdfunding trends worldwide, and how they impact the Canadian movement towards Crowdfunding. Learn what the regulators have proposed and how you can get involved in moving the Crowdfunding agenda forward.
Moderator
Sean Stanleigh, Editor of Report on Small Business, the Globe and Mail
Participants
- Brian Koscak, Chairman, Exempt Market Dealers Association of Canada and Partner, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
- Marty Gunderson, Director, the Exempt Market Dealers Association of Canada and Director, the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada
- Chris Arsenault, Managing Partner, iNovia Capital Inc.
- Stephen Harrington, Manager, Deloitte
- Sunil Sharma, Managing Director, Extreme Startups
Please visit EMDA Google + page or EMDA webcasts page at www.emdacanada.com and watch the discussion live on April 8, 2013 at 4:30 pm.
Upcoming broadcasts will be announced on the EMDA website at www.emdacanada.com. We would appreciate receiving your feedback and any suggestions for future topics. If you are a member of the EMDA, please let us know if you would like to participate in future webcasts. Please contact us at info@emdacanada.com
Special thanks to CVCA for supporting this first webcast!
Event Montreal Wrap-up: Crowdfund Night#2
Posted by Heri Rakotomalala, Partner at Seeding Factory and NCFA Canada Ambassador | April 1, 2013
MONTREAL, ON - March 21, 2013, 120 crowdfunding fans gathered at Centre St-Pierre, Montreal for Crowdfund Night. It was a rare opportunity to learn and share about crowdfunding.
Attendees discovered projects that were being crowdfunded in the marketplace and network with the many creatives, tech entrepreneurs, filmmakers, musicians, designers and social entrepreneurs present in the room. A few journalists, students, and montréalers were also present, curious to discover a movement that's largely new for them. Owners of crowdfunding platforms, such as fundo.ca or niche platforms such as sourced.fm completed the line-up.
Chris Arsenault, from iNovia Capital, had encouraging remarks for all entrepreneurs in the room, on how they should all seize the crowdfunding opportunity to make their dreams come true. He also alluded to the upcoming equity crowdfunding potential, still not possible in Canada, but with diligent work could possibly be true in 2013.
Next, John Vaskis from indiegogo went through the platform's potential, and answered many questions from the audience about recipes for success. Heri Rakotomalala, from SeedingFactory, gave a presentation about the art and science of making a crowdfunding video.
Crowdfund Night#2 also featured crowdfunding projects, and the audience was eager to learn how they designed, launched and communicated about their campaigns. As demonstrated by early feedback from attendees, many wished there was more time to learn about crowdfunding and it’s potential.
Thanks for law firm Spiegel Sohmer and crowdfunding platform sourced.fm for sponsoring!
Source: Heri Rakotomalala, Partner at Seeding Factory and NCFA Canada Ambassador
About NCFA Canada Ambassadors Program
The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) has recently launched a nation-wide Ambassadors Program aimed at recognizing, supporting and unifying crowdfunding leaders across the country through collaborative events, education and resource sharing initiatives. With a rapidly evolving and expanding crowdfunding industry, there is a great need for peer to peer collaboration in the areas of research, education and advocacy working together to establish best practices
Autorité des Marchés Financiers looking at opening equity crowdfunding in Québec
Posted by Heri Rakotomalala (Partner at Seeding Factory and NCFA Canada Ambassador) | April 1, 2013
The AMF, the provincial authority in Québec in charge of regulating financial markets, held a public consultation on 20th March 2013 at the Tour de la Bourse, 800 Victoria Square, Montréal, on the 11th floor, in the IATA offices. It was a public event that attracted many law firms, investors, crowdfunding portals, as well as various business stakeholders.
The AMF explained in detail that while they were following changes in the US with the JOBS act, and such changes would be interesting for Quebec, they also highlighted security risks and potential for abuse.
A good portion of the consultation was dedicated to the Blanket Order 45-512 Exemption from certain financial statement requirements of Form 45-106F2 Offering Memorandum for Non-Qualifying Issuers, which offers a new, limited exemption to the form requirements of the offering memorandum prospectus exemption (OM exemption).
For Quebec issuers this essentially means a relaxation on audited financial reporting requirements. For unsophisticated investors there is still a $10,000 investor cap in a 12 month period while eligible investors (as defined in NI-45-106) are not subject to a maximum investor cap. The AMF stated that such measures were implemented successfully in western provinces such as Alberta, and they were still assessing why such measures were not popular in Québec.
The changes to the existing OM exemption (e.g., Blanket Order 45-512) were thought by some AMF representatives as suitable measures; however the crowd recognized that these changes do not enable a company to raise money via an internet portal, which is seen as a standard requirement of a successful crowdfunding implementation.
Venture Capitalist such as Chris Arsenault, head of iNovia Capital, suggested that the AMF looked closely at successful portals such as AngelList, SecondMarket, or FundersClub, which have managed to create and sustain trust with its users and who are revolutionizing investment in the United States.
Representatives of business groups communicated that such measures go beyond technology startups. Allowing crowdfunding regulations would give small businesses located in remote Quebec regions the ability to start their business ventures due to heightened community support and online connections. Further, new companies that cannot attract high growth capital due to the nature of their business would have renewed hopes.
While an agenda could not be detailed, the AMF is looking closely at the US. Equity crowdfunding portals would have to be considered as brokers who would need to register with the AMF. We sincerely hope that the AMF shows leadership, with equity crowdfunding rules highly competitive with other markets such as US, Australia or Europe.
In the end, the AMF thanked all parties and encouraged anyone interested in the matter to send questions and comments to financementdessocietes@lautorite.qc.ca.
Source: Heri Rakotomalala, Partner at Seeding Factory and NCFA Canada Ambassador
About NCFA Canada Ambassadors Program
The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) has recently launched a nation-wide Ambassadors Program aimed at recognizing, supporting and unifying crowdfunding leaders across the country through collaborative events, education and resource sharing initiatives. With a rapidly evolving and expanding crowdfunding industry, there is a great need for peer to peer collaboration in the areas of research, education and advocacy working together to establish best practices.
Event Toronto (April 25, 2013): The Potential of Crowdfunding in Canada
York University - Schulich School of Business | Douglas Cumming | March 28, 2013
Global Perspectives on Entrepreneurship
EVENT DETAILS:
| Date:Time: | Thursday, April 25, 2013 Registration and Cocktail Reception: 5:30pm - 6:30pm Welcome Remarks: 6:30pm – 6:40pm Dinner: 6:40pm – 7:30pm Panel Session: 7:30pm – 8:15pm Q&A: 8:15pm – 8:30pm Closing Remarks: 8:30pm |
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| Location | The University Club of Toronto 380 University Avenue Toronto |
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| Function Type: | Panel Session | |
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| Cost | $100.00 Reception and Dinner (price includes HST) | |
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| Overview | We are excited to present the Panel Session on the “Potential of Crowdfunding in Canada ” with a focus on the economic and financial benefits and regulatory issues relevant to our members and other industry professionals. Additional information on the full two-day Joint CFA Institute, Industry Canada and Schulich Business School Conference (April 25 - 26) on GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP is attached.  |
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| Panelists: | Craig Asano: Founder and Executive Director, National Crowdfunding Association of Canada Brian Koscak: Chair, Exempt Markets Dealers Association of Canada, and Partner, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP James Turner: Vice Chair, Ontario Securities Commission
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| Moderator: | Douglas Cumming: Professor and Ontario Research Chair, York University Schulich School of Business http://academia.edu/ |
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| Who should attend: | Entrepreneurs, investment professionals and practitioners in compliance, operational, legal, governance and control areas would find this session interesting and relevant. | |
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Cancellation and Refund Policy:
A refund of your paid registration will be granted for cancellations received within 72 hours notice.
The event may be photographed and videographed.
Registration Information (*=required) RSVP by April 18, 2013
Click Here to Register
NCFA Canada interviews Michael Preysman of Everlane at TWG Crowdfunding event
NCFA Canada | Posted by Craig Asano on March 22, 2013
On March 20, 2013, The Working Group (TWG) hosted a buzzing event ‘An Evening With Everlane” at their 425 Adelaide Street West office in Toronto that attracted a gathering of start-ups, crowdfunders and fashion goers to hear Michael Presyman, Founder of Everlane, an on-line luxury clothing company, talk about his company’s unique Canadian launch campaign.
An Evening With Everlane (Hosted by TWG)
Everlane is a new kind of retail experience, one that exists 100% online and bypasses all middlemen to create beautiful designer goods at truly disruptive prices. To gear up for their expansion into Canada, Everlane launched an innovative crowdfunding campaign that aimed to raise $100,000 in pre-orders and credits from Canadian consumers by March 21. Join Everlane founder Michael Preysman at TWG on the final night of #CrowdFundCanada to learn about life at Everlane and find out just what went into making this successful crowdfunding campaign happen.
NCFA Canada caught up with Michael Preysman a few minutes before the event to talk about crowdfunding market validation and research, breaking new ground and brand strategy.
About Michael Preysman
Michael Preysman is the founder and CEO of Everlane. Prior to starting Everlane, he was an investor at Elevation Partners for both their New York and Menlo Park offices investing in media and entertainment companies. Michael enjoys sitting at the intersection of design and technology. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon with degrees in Computer Engineering and Economics.
About TWG
TWG is an Internet software company based in Toronto. We design, build and maintain web and mobile applications for a growing list of happy clients. We also incubate startup companies and host technology events for our community. Our mission is to be the best software company in the world to learn, work, and grow at.
- Follow TWG on Twitter or join us on Facebook to stay up-to-date with all of our events!
- Sign up to the TWG mailing list
- Visit twg.ca
Source: NCFA Canada
Amid Equity Crowdfunding Uncertainty, Organizers Initiate Second CrowdFund Night in Montreal
TechVibes | Posted by Joseph Czikk
Crowdfund Night is returning to Montreal on Thursday evening, as a promising line up of speakers seek to educate a crowd of entrepreneurs, artists and curious guests.
Thursday’s talk marks the second in a series of events meant to promote crowdfunding in Canada, and helps educate those interested in using this tool as a means to fund unique projects. Seeding Factory, a Montreal-based crowdfunding consultancy business run by Heri Rakotomalala and Bruno Rakotozafy, is organizing the events.
“I really think every talk is going to be interesting,” said Rakotomalala. “Crowdfunding can be used by anyone and everyone to kickstart a project, and that’s what we want to communicate with this event.”
A successful Montreal crowdfunding initiative happened in October when the OSMO Foundation succeeded in raising over $100,000 to renovate Notman House, a co-working space that houses the FounderFuel accelerator program among other startups and freelancers.
But not every campaign is immediately successful. Following Startup Canada’s ambitious entry into the Canadian entrepreneurial landscape, they launched a crowdfunding effort intending to raise $100,000. They only raised $36, 731 in an initiative that was as much ill timed as it was too lengthy. Nevertheless it resulted in funding that helped the organization, it just wasn’t as much as they wanted.
With $1.1 billion in total crowdfunding transactions in 2011 and an estimated $3 billion after 2012, the space is heating up every year. In fact, some estimates place future crowdfunding totals at $500 billion annually. Perhaps in future years such initiatives as Startup Canada’s will achieve success more easily with more awareness of crowdfunding’s unique potential.
Accordingly some of the speakers on Thursday aim to educate on how successful crowdfunding campaigns can be leveraged in 2013. iNovia Capital’s Chris Arsenault will deliver a foreword on the opportunities and challenges in crowdfunding and how it can be a valuable tool. Meanwhile IndieGogo’s John Vaskis will talk about a boom in the Quebec and Canadian crowdfunding landscape. Rakotomalala will educate participants on how to make a successful crowdfunding video while Clone Magna’s Dan Kim will talk about how he surpassed his crowdfunding initiative by 700 per cent.
Continue to full article --> here
Fake crowdfunding cuts through the chaos at Launch festival 2013
VB | Rebecca Grant |March 4, 2013 2:41 PM
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The Launch festival is a three-ring circus. Fifty startups are here presenting on the main stage, 250 startups are in the demo pit, and it’s got panel discussions with influencers from the tech community, not to mention nearly 6,000 registered attendees.
To help sort through the noise, Launch partnered with peer-to-peer lending platform MicroVentures and SourceBits, an app development firm, to release a live crowdfunding app that tracks the excitement surrounding the companies as they emerge out of stealth mode.
“The idea is to let the crowd indicate interest in companies in real time,” said Tim Sullivan, the CEO of Microventures, in an interview with VentureBeat. “It will be a leaderboard onstage and highlight certain companies getting more momentum than others. Hopefully, it will fuel interest in those companies and enable the attendees to focus more on the companies and less on the chaos. Just because somebody is not an accredited investor doesn’t mean they are not knowledgeable or don’t understand the space really well. Their voice is just as meaningful.”
The way it works is that every attendee receives 10,000 Launch dollars (accredited investors get an unlimited amount) to ‘invest’ in startups they like. These investments are not actual money but rather “commitments” that create a buzz barometer. This means that people who are not accredited investors can also contribute their feedback.
“People are excited to use it,” said Mark Chatow, SourceBits’ head of marketing. “It brings a passion and people are much more engaged in the conference because you feel like you are playing along. It will be interesting to see the correlation between the leaderboard and who ends up winning.”
Even the startups that don’t win the grand prize still stand to win offstage by raising capital. The hope with the Launch app is that theoretical dollars turn into actual dollars by providing a link between accredited investors and promising young companies.
“I think the best use case is for expressing interest in a follow-up meeting,” said Adam Draper, the founder of the BoostVC accelerator and incubator program. “No one will write a check after meeting someone quickly, but this is noncommittal. It says, ‘I am interested in you this many points,’ but nothing is being signed. I don’t need to meet you, but can express interest right away.”
Links:
Launch Festival website
