Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Fintech Event | March 3, 2025

The Osaka Prefectural Government in collaboration with Osaka City is hosting the annual Osaka Finance Forum on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at GRAND FRONT OSAKA Umekita SHIP HALL from 4:00PM - 7:30PM (JST). The theme of the event this year will focus on developing highly skilled professionals in the financial sector, with participation from experts across academia and industry. By registering for this event, you will receive a digital recording.
The Osaka Finance Forum is a great opportunity for financial professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors looking to grow their business in Japan. Osaka has several programs that support foreign companies and skilled professionals:
Osaka is building its reputation as a major financial center, and this event works towards attracting and developing top talent and businesses to the region. With financial incentives, tax breaks, and business support programs, it’s a great opportunity for FinTech companies and investors to explore new possibilities in Japan’s financial market.
For more details, check out the event flyer.
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, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Brookings Institute | Feb 27, 2025
Image: Freepik/rawpixel.com
North American trade is at a critical juncture, and businesses need to be ready. The USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) or CUSMA (Canadian-United-States-Mexico Agreement as it's known in Canada) is expected to be reviewed in July 2026, and new U.S. tariff threats are adding uncertainty.
This hybrid event "USMCA Forward 2025 launch" is on March 5, 2025 is being hosted by the Brookings Institute a leading think tank in Washington, D.C. known for its comprehensive research on economic and global policy issues. The event will bring together experts to discuss the future of trade between Canada, the U.S., and Mexico and help Canadian businesses, investors, and policymakers understand what’s coming next and how to prepare.
📅 Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
🕜 Time: 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM EST
📍 Location: The Brookings Institution, Washington, D.C. (Attend in person or online)
🔗 RSVP to attend in person or watch the webcast
Topics include:
President Trump has announced new tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, including a 25% tariff on most goods and a 10% tariff on Canadian energy exports, starting March 4, 2025. However, there are signs the tariffs could be pushed back (again) to April 2, 2025, depending on ongoing negotiations. This decision comes after months of uncertainty. Canada and Mexico have warned they will respond with their own tariffs, raising concerns about a possible trade war.
For further background on the risks of tariffs and their impact on Canadian businesses, check out:
Register to attend in person or watch the free webcast
Questions can be submitted to panelists via email to events@brookings.edu
This is an important event to watch for anyone involved in North American trade.
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, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Conference | Feb 24, 2025

The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is proud to be an official Community Partner for CIX Summit 2025, Canada’s premier startup awards program and investment summit. Taking place on March 26, 2025, at the Design Exchange in Toronto, CIX Summit is where the country’s top tech founders, investors, and industry leaders gather to showcase innovation, drive investments, and foster collaboration.
CIX Summit is more than just an event—it’s a high-impact experience that brings together Canada’s most promising startups and the investors who help them scale. Attendees will have the chance to witness curated startup presentations, featuring companies selected through the prestigious CIX Startup Awards, a national showcase recognizing breakthrough innovation.
Networking at CIX is unparalleled, offering VIP access to curated meetings between investors and startup founders. The event fosters intimate, high-value conversations through private roundtables, “Ask Me Anything” sessions with serial entrepreneurs, and exclusive receptions. For those looking to expand their industry connections, 450+ pre-booked one-on-one meetings will be hosted, ensuring that investors and entrepreneurs can engage in meaningful discussions that lead to real deals.
In addition to great networking, CIX Summit offers insightful talks and panel discussions from experienced industry leaders. Speakers will cover important topics like raising funds, venture capital trends, new technologies, taking companies public, and growing businesses on a global scale. Whether you're an investor, startup founder, or industry professional, CIX is the place to learn practical strategies and stay ahead in Canada’s rapidly changing tech world.
This year’s influential speaker lineup includes leaders, such as Jack Newton, CEO and Founder of Clio (transformed legal tech), Laura Lenz, Partner at OMERS Ventures (deep expertise in venture investments), and Prashant Matta, Managing Partner at Panache Ventures (known for backing high-potential startups), Matthew Leibowitz, Co-Founder & Managing General Partner at Plaza Ventures (leader in growth-stage investing), and Rob Khazzam, CEO and Co-Founder of Float Financial (redefining corporate spending solutions), and Rasha Katabi, Founder & CEO of Brim Financial (fintech innovation). These are just a few of the incredible minds shaping the discussions. Don't miss out on the opportunity to connect with these industry leaders at CIX 2025!
A highlight of the CIX Summit is the CIX Startup Awards, which recognize Canada’s most promising early-stage companies. This year several groundbreaking fintech and AI startups were among the winners selected by committee of over 100 investors and industry experts including companies such as Conquest Planning, MyFO, Sibli, Qundri, and Basetwo AI. Learn more about this year's CIX Fintech and AI Startup Award winners.
As a Community Partner of CIX, NCFA is thrilled to offer our network an exclusive 20% discount on CIX Summit tickets. 🎟️ Use code: NCFACANCIX2025 at checkout to save on your registration. Looking forward to seeing you there!🚀
🔗 Secure your spot today: CIX Summit Registration (book before February 28 to secure an additional early bird discount!)
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, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Event | Feb 18, 2025
Special offer: Register Now & Save $450 off (promo code “NCFAVIP" valid through March 14th)
Computer History Museum | Mountain View, CA
Whether you’re a startup seeking capital and exposure, or an investor seeking new deals, Venture Summit | West, presented by youngStartup Ventures, is one event you won’t want to miss.
This exclusive venture summit is dedicated to showcasing early-stage VCs, Corporate VCs and angel investors committed to funding venture backed, emerging and early-stage companies as well as showcasing trailblazers in the AI, Cleantech, Fintech, Life Science & Healthcare Tech, MedTech, Climate Tech, and more.
Arvind Ayyala, Partner, Geodesic Capital | Shiva Amiri, Partner, Pivotal Life Sciences | Greg Baker, Managing Partner, Alumni Ventures | Emma Bell, Vice President, Activate Capital | Suril Butala, Vice President, Sorenson Ventures | Seema Chaturvedi, Managing Partner, AWE Funds | Jim Cohen, General Partner, Fitz Gate Ventures | Philippe Daoust, Managing Director, NAventures | Anne DeGheest, Managing Director, HealthTech Capital | Rene Do, Senior Director, SK hynix | Ren Du, Partner, Heuristic Capital | Hemant Elhence, General Partner, 3Lines Venture Capital | Kristin Ellis, Partner, Lowercarbon Capital | Sergey Fedotov, Venture Partner, TEL Venture Capital | Gary Gershony, Founding General Partner, BayMed Venture Partners | Gary Goldman DDS MD MBA, Founder, CEO, Managing Partner, Global Health Impact Network and Funds | Ajay Gopal, General Partner, Framework Venture Partners | Bradley Greenwald, Managing Partner, Hilltop Venture Partners | Collin Groves, Vice President, BDev Ventures | Seamus Hatch, Partner, Level 8 Ventures | Brooks Hosfield, Partner, SciFi VC | Adela Jamal, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Milemark Capital, Milemark Capital | Kevin Jiang, Managing Partner, Mangusta Capital | Sunmeet Jolly, Managing Partner, Jolly VC | David Kellenberger, Senior Director, SentinelOne Ventures | Brianne Kimmel, Managing Director, Worklife | Steve Krausz, General Partner, U.S. Venture Partners | Eric Levine, Vice President, BuildGroup | Raymond Levitt, Operating Partner, Blackhorn Ventures | Ryan Lewis, Partner, SRI Ventures | Ella Li, Founding Partner, H7 BioCapital | Yatong Li, Managing Director, Sixty Degree Capital | Laura Lucas, Partner, L'ATTITUDE VC | Aditya Mishra, General Partner, BAT VC | Peter Pan, Managing Partner, Hat-Trick Capital | Akhilesh Pathipati, Partner, MVM Partners | Amit Pradhan, General Partner, JetVentures | Praveen Sahay, Managing Director, WAVE Equity Partners LLC | Alexander Schubert, Partner, SciFounders | Jasmi Shah, Managing Director, Cigna Ventures | Marc Silberman, Partner, Comcast Ventures | Anish Srivastava, Venture Partner, Swisscom Ventures | Keshia Theobald-van Gent, Vice President, BDev Ventures | Albert Vazquez-Agusti, Partner, Sway Ventures | Sujit Vettam, Managing Partner, ForwardLeap | Anna Wang, Vice President, GreyMatter Capital | Matt Wilson, Managing Director, Allied Venture Partners | Ray Wu, Managing Partner, Alumni Ventures | Erik Breckenfelder, Investor, Miami Angels | Tom Carroux, Investor, Band of Angels | Sudhee Chilappagari, VC Investor, Battery Ventures | Tim Denning, Principal, Ultratech | Adry Elmilady, Investment Principal, Samsung Catalyst Fund | Riley Finch, Investor, NGVP | Prateek Joshi, VC, Moxxie Ventures | Satoshi Konagai, Investment Lead, Astellas Venture Management LLC | Daven Nijran-Talwar, Principal, REV Venture Partners | Tori Orr, Investor, JetBlue Ventures | Priyesh P, Senior Associate, Qualcomm Ventures | Jimmy Park, Investor, Forgepoint | Ning Sung, Investor, Sand Hill Angels | Simon Tiu, Investor, Vertex Ventures | Kei Yoshida, Principal, Presidio Ventures | and many more...
NCFA Canada has secured a special discount of $450 on all ticket options valid through March 14th.with promo code NCFAVIP.
A select group of more than 100 Top Innovators will be chosen to present their breakthrough investment opportunities to an exclusive audience of Venture Capitalists, Corporate Investors, Private Investors, Investment Bankers, and Strategic Partners.
Nominate your company or apply to present! Apply Here.
We look forward to seeing you there.
NCFA Canada & youngStartup Ventures
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, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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