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Category Archives: NCFA Supported Events

May 9, 2016   Entrepreneurs, Start-ups, Small Businesses, Equity Crowdfunding, Alternative Funding, Fintech and Networking Events, Fundraising, Investing, Trading, Innovation and Resources, Legal Issues, Regulation, Consultation, NCFA Supported Events   No comments

Seminar Toronto (June 9): Rapid Fire Crowdfinancing Opportunities For Raising Capital Online 101+

NCFA Business and IP CPD Banner

 

OVERVIEW

Date: June 9, 2016

Venue: DMZ at Ryerson University

10 Dundas St. E., 6th Floor, Toronto, M5B 2G9 (map)

Time: 8:00am – 10:00pm

Registration: $50 Early Bird / $65 members / $75 non-members

All tickets include coffee and refreshments. Add 13% HST.
(Limited Tickets - Reserve your seat Today!)

register_now

 

Crowdfunding for Business and IP Seminar

Investment Crowdfunding markets are rapidly evolving and democratizing the ability for startups and SMEs to access capital online with the US alternative finance market surging to $36 billion in 2015. On Jan 25-2016, the integrated crowdfunding exemption (multilateral 45-108) was enacted in 5 provinces (+SK pending) including Ontario. Boost your knowledge of the Crowdfunding industry and your ability to protect and advocate for your clients who are considering becoming a Crowdfunding investor, creating a business startup, or commencing a crowdfunding raise or portal. In this 2-hour seminar, you will gain a greater understanding of the crowdfunding rules and legislation implemented by the Ontario Securities Commission, along with information on available financing options, and a range of key business and intellectual property considerations.

Learn from the experts! Register now to take advantage of relevant and timely information that will help you and your clients navigate the quickly emerging and lucrative crowdfunding industry.


AGENDA

8:00 am Registration & Coffee and Refreshments

8:30 am Welcome and Opening Remarks

8:35 am Crowdfunding Financing Options

8:55 am Regulatory Perspectives

9:15 am Protecting Your Business, Investment and Portal

9:30 am Trademarks, Patents, Copyright and Privacy Rights

9:45 am Question and Answer Session

10:00 am Program Ends

 

Questions you can expect to be answered?

  • How to protect yourself as an investor considering participating in an offering?
  • How to protect your business when dealing with a portal?
  • How do I register and comply as a funding portal under Multilateral Instrument 45-108 (integrated crowdfunding exemption) and how does it affect portals and startups?
  • What are the latest Crowdfinancing market developments and venture funding options?
  • What are key considerations when working with an online portal?
  • What are the operational requirements under National Instrument 31-103 for EMDs operating as a DB-portal and how does it affect portals and startups?
  • How to protect your portal when it comes to dealing with startups and investors?
  • What are key trademark, privacy and IP considerations for startups raising capital online and ways to protect your business?

 

Speakers

Rubsun Ho Crowdmatrix

RUBSUN HO, Chief Crowdpleaser, Crowdmatrix Inc.

Rubsun Ho is the Chief Crowdpleaser at Crowdmatrix Inc., an equity crowdfunding platform that will bring efficiency and transparency to the capital raising process for Canadian growth companies. A portfolio company of Extreme Venture Partners, Crowdmatrix plans to launch in late spring, 2015. Rubsun is also a co-founder and partner of Cognition LLP, a virtual law firm that was created to address the rising costs and inefficiencies of corporate legal services from traditional law firms. Cognition now has over 50 lawyers operating in Toronto, Ottawa and Calgary, and its clients range from growing startups through to some of Canada’s largest companies.

 

Zulf Karim TSX

ZULF KARIM, Regional Head of Business Development, TSX Private Markets

Zulf Karim is the Head of Business Development at TSX Private Markets, a platform that provides access to the Canadian exempt market. It facilitates the raising of capital through brokered, private placement financings for both private and public companies and secondary trading of private company securities and public company "hold period" securities.

 

 

OSCELIZABETH TOPP, Senior Legal Counsel, Compliance and Registration, OSC

 

 

 

 

OSCGLORIA TSANG, Legal Counsel, Compliance and Registrant Regulation Branch, Ontario Securities Commission.

In her role as legal counsel, Gloria is responsible for advising on the registration regime in Ontario (National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations and related instruments) and for reviewing and making recommendations in response to applications for exemptions from registration requirements under the Securities Act (Ontario) and the Commodity Futures Act. Gloria also participates in reviews of registration applications and registrants to determine if they are in compliance with securities laws and acts as a legal resource on registration and compliance issues to other staff and industry participants. Gloria was part of the OSC team that worked with the other jurisdictions in the development of Multilateral Instrument 45-108 Crowdfunding. Gloria holds a law degree from the Queen’s University and is a member of CPA Ontario.

Jason Satlzman DentonsJASON SALTZMAN, Partner, Dentons Canada LLP

Jason Saltzman practices corporate finance and securities law, with an emphasis on securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital transactions, as well as all other aspects of corporate and securities law.Jason works with both established and emerging companies world-wide, primarily in the mining, technology, life science, cleantech (including renewable energy, water tech and ag tech), industrial, mid-tech and digital media and entertainment sectors. He assists issuers, investment dealers, and institutional and private investors on complex equity and debt financing transactions, ranging from start-up investments, venture capital and private equity investments, to larger public offerings and project finance.

Andrew Currier PCKIPANDREW CURRIER, Partner, PKCIP

Andrew is a recognized leader in intellectual property, combining experience in industry, law and academia before co-founding PCK. Andrew’s industry experience includes General Counsel for a publicly-traded flat-panel display company, IP counsel for a Silicon Valley start-up, and engineer for the automotive industry. In law, Andrew practised for several years with three of Canada’s national firms. In academia, Andrew held a teaching appointment as Adjunct Professor at Western University in London Ontario, teaching patent law from 2000-2007. Cited by the Supreme Court of Canada, he is also co-author (with Stephen Perry) of Canadian Patent Law (2nd ed. Butterworths, 2014) the first text on Canadian patent law by practitioners in over thirty years.

 

Why attend this seminar?

  • This is essential knowledge for any one interested in emerging Canadian crowdfunding markets
  • Expert content delivered by speakers that 'live and breath' the topics being discussed every day
  • Rapid learning format. Get exposure to the most important elements in a short period of time
  • Opportunity to ask questions and answers at the end of the seminar
  • This workshop qualifies for two (2) hours of substantive continuing professional development credits

 

Who should attend this seminar?

  • Retail and accredited investors, angel investors, VC groups and affiliates, fund managers
  • Professionals, advisors, crowdfinance decision makers and entreprepreneurial and innovation networks in Canada's fast growing crowdfunding industry
  • Startups and SME businesses interested in raising capital from crowdfinancing markets that want to learn about regulations and how to protect themselves and the interests of their investors
  • Prospective funding portals or EMDs looking to move their practice online

 

Exclusive deal with purchase (bonus)

Attend this CPD Seminar and GET 25% Discount off our annual NCFA-EVP Rooftop Summer Kickoff Networking Event that takes place a week before the CPD course on Jun 1st from 5:30-9:00pm.

Network in style with investors and entrepreneurs passionate about crowdfunding, fintech, and alternative finance. It's an event you don't want to miss!

May 28 Summer Kickoff Networking

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early bird tickets available now...

register_now

The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a cross-Canada non-profit actively engaged with both social and investment crowdfunding stakeholders across the country. NCFA Canada provides education, research, leadership, support and networking opportunities to over 1300+ members and works closely with industry, government, academia, community and eco-system partners and affiliates to create a strong and vibrant crowdfunding industry in Canada. Learn more at ncfacanada.org.

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March 31, 2016   Entrepreneurs, Start-ups, Small Businesses, FinTech and Alternative Finance, Fintech International, Fundraising, Investing, Trading, Innovation and Resources, NCFA In The News, NCFA Supported Events, Stories, Voices   No comments

[Podcast]: What You Need to Know About Crowdfunding Right Now

Profit Guide Business Cast | Robert Gold | March 31, 2016

Profit Business Cast - Robert GoldInsights and best practices from the entrepreneurs and experts at the 2016 Canadian Crowdfunding Summit

Once a niche funding source for personal projects and products no consumer would ever want to buy, crowdfunding has evolved into a legitimate, common form of capital for startups and innovative businesses.

Want proof? Look no further than the agenda of the second annual Canadian Crowdfunding Summit, held at the MaRS Discovery District on March 3, 2016. Panelists and speakers at the event, hosted by the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA), included a who’s-who of Canadian and international entrepreneurs and experts. And Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa was on hand to open the conference (see Opening Speech).

“The future of crowdfunding is now,” believes NCFA Executive Director Craig Asano. Here are eight ways to take advantage of crowdfunding, courtesy of the entrepreneurs and experts who spoke at the Summit:

1. You need to do your homework

Raising capital from the crowd seems like a relatively straightforward process: shoot a video and start a campaign on Kickstarter or another platform, then sit back and watch the money roll in. If only it were that simple.

Before the Revol Technologies team put their custom-fit earphones on Indiegogo, they studied past successful crowdfunding campaigns. “I reached out to as many people who have done campaigns in the past [as possible] to get valuable information on the do’s and don’ts of their campaigns,” explains Dan Blumer, the co-founder and CEO of Montreal-based Revol. “So essentially taking the templates of others and doing them ourselves.”

It paid off, big time. Revol’s original goal was U.S.$100,000, but the campaign ended up raising U.S.$2,570,000, and the company has since made an additional six figures in pre-sales on Indiegogo.

2. You need to educate your angels

New regulations around equity crowdfunding allow companies in most parts of the country to tap retail investors for capital. But simply building the largest pool of civilian backers you can won’t lead to the best results. “It’s not sufficient to assume that just because they’re rich they’re necessarily going to be able to add value to the shareholders agreement [or] understand the down rounds [or] how to value a business notes Bill Morrow, CEO of Angels Den Funding Inc, a British platform founded in 2007.

The U.K. has had equity crowdfunding for several years now, and Morrow’s opening keynote at the Summit detailed what it takes for a country to make the financing model successful. “For Canada to actually be able to progress, you kind of need to have an education program for both entrepreneurs—Canada’s really good at that—but for the angels as well,” he told me.

For example, retail investors may not be familiar with the risk-reward calculations in niche or specialized industries. “The challenge for us is that as a research and development-oriented enterprise, the message can be complicated,” admits Buck Young,  the co-founder and Operations Manager of CannTx Life Sciences, a medical marijuana company. “Our challenge will be to really simplify that and condense it.”

See: 

 

3. The fundamentals still matter

His main business is software, but Michael Hyatt also has a side-gig investing in startups as a Dragon on Next Gen Den, the online spinoff of the hit CBC entrepreneur pitch show. Hyatt says the same rules of success apply today as a decade or a century ago. “Great businesses show great value to clients and are something they really, really need,” he says.

One particularly important skill for entrepreneurs: the ability to pivot. “Do I like their market and do I think they can make it?” Hyatt says he asks when evaluating an investment opportunity. “And do I think they can pivot when one of the founders leaves or they lose funding or something else happens? Because inevitably it does.”

The same rules apply to investors looking to back a company through a crowdfunding platform, or to founders seeking capital via one.

4. You need to deliver

Plenty of companies have raised six or seven figures through crowdfunding campaigns, and then failed to meet their targets or deliver their products on schedule. Equity adds a whole different set of pressures to the mix, because those disappointed backers are now shareholders.

“I see a lot of companies raise millions of dollars for a really great product, [but] there’s a big difference between raising that money and then shipping that product and then getting acceptance,” says Hyatt.

Putting in the early work pays off. “The most successful campaigns are the ones that take the time to plan, [to] understand their consumer and the market and the community they’re trying to build, and then execute that plan,” says Daryl Hatton, founder and CEO of Vancouver-based crowdfunding platform FundRazr. “Otherwise they tend to fail rather quickly and rather embarrassingly.”

5. It’s not just for startups

While much of the conversation this year has been about the new equity crowdfunding regime, other forms of the financing model can and do exist. There is of course the original kind, where campaign backers on platforms like Kickstarter or FundRazr receive rewards in the form of experiences or physical goods in exchange for their money. But crowdfunding is also being applied to asset classes like debt and real estate.

The last of those categories has seen a particular proliferation of platforms and interest. “The predictability of cash flows, the ease of understanding and analyzing rent rolls, cash flows, [and] financial statements [make real estate] a lot more predictable compared to the other asset classes,” says Amar Nijjar, the founder and CEO of Tornto’s R2 Crowd.

Continue to Listen to the Podcast --> Now

 

The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a cross-Canada non-profit actively engaged with both social and investment crowdfunding stakeholders across the country. NCFA Canada provides education, research, leadership, support and networking opportunities to over 1300+ members and works closely with industry, government, academia, community and eco-system partners and affiliates to create a strong and vibrant crowdfunding industry in Canada. Learn more About Us or visit ncfacanada.org.

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March 24, 2016   Entrepreneurs, Start-ups, Small Businesses, Fintech and Networking Events, Innovation and Resources, NCFA Blog, NCFA Supported Events   No comments

54 Hour Event (Apr 22 – 24, 2016): Startup Weekend Toronto

Startup Weekend Toronto | Edwin J. Frondozo | March 24, 2016

Startup Weekend Toronto

Event Overview

NCFA Canada is a proud community partner of Startup Weekend Toronto which is a 54-hour event from April 22 - 24, 2016, which helps educate, support, and empower people to become entrepreneurs. Check out this video for more information: http://vimeo.com/32424882.

 

Startup Weekend Toronto

Where:  Bitmaker Labs

When:  April 22 - 24, 2016

NCFA 10% Discount Code: partner10

Register with code now

 

 

How does it work?

We begin on Friday night with open-mic pitches, where participants get 60 seconds to pitch their ideas to the crowd and try to recruit the best talent in the room! Teams form around the most exciting/viable ideas, and spend the rest of the night planning for the battle ahead. The whole of Saturday and much of Sunday) is a mad dash to build, validate, pivot, polish and test your idea. The weekend culminates with a pitch-night where teams present their startup to a panel of judges, guests and fellow participants. At the end of it all, a winner is crowned and everyone celebrates over a few casual drinks and gets a chance to network before saying goodbye!

Get Involved

We are putting spotlight on an issue that is in need of ideas. Come join us if you are a programmer, designer, environmentalist, developer, marketer, researcher, student, engineer  or an entrepreneurial spirit. If you already have an idea, this is your opportunity to move forward with it and form a team. If you don't have an idea but want to get involved, then come and join someone else's team!

Prizes include:

  • One full tuition credit in the next Founder Institue (FI) Toronto or Waterloo program, valued at US$1,000, contingent on the team member(s) being accepted by the FI Admissions team.
  • Ticket to Traction Conference 2016 in Vancouver, Canada's largest Startup conference focusing on early stage growth (airfare and accommodations not included).
  • Focus Framework by Justin Wilcox from CustomerDevLabs to help you on your validation journey to find product/market fit.

 

About Startup Weekend

Startup Weekend will take place on April 22 - 24, 2016 at Bitmaker Labs.  Startup Weekend is a  54-hour event, which helps educate, support, and empower people to become entrepreneurs. Feel free to check out this video for more information: http://vimeo.com/32424882.

Startup Weekends are 54-hour events designed to provide superior experiential education for technical and non-technical entrepreneurs.  Beginning with Friday night pitches and continuing through brainstorming, business plan development, and basic prototype creation, Startup Weekends culminate in Sunday night demos and presentations.  Participants create working startups during the event and are able to collaborate with like-minded individuals outside of their daily networks. All teams hear talks by industry leaders and receive valuable feedback from local entrepreneurs. The weekend is centered around action, innovation, and education.  Whether you are looking for feedback on a idea, a co-founder, specific skill sets, or a team to help you execute, Startup Weekends are the perfect environment in which to test your idea and take the first steps towards launching your own startup.

Register Your Participation --> Now

 

The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a cross-Canada non-profit actively engaged with both social and investment crowdfunding stakeholders across the country. NCFA Canada provides education, research, leadership, support and networking opportunities to over 1300+ members and works closely with industry, government, academia, community and eco-system partners and affiliates to create a strong and vibrant crowdfunding industry in Canada. Learn more About Us or visit ncfacanada.org.

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March 11, 2016   Entrepreneurs, Start-ups, Small Businesses, Equity Crowdfunding, Alternative Funding, Fintech and Networking Events, NCFA Blog, NCFA Supported Events, P2P, Lending, Digital Bonds, BNPL, Private Credit, Stories   No comments

Event Wrap-up: 2nd Annual 2016 Canadian Crowdfunding Summit on March 3 (Toronto)

NCFA Blog | March 11, 2016

The 2nd annual Canadian Crowdfunding Summit (#CCS2016) on March 3, 2016 brought together a diverse crowd of companies, investors, providers, industry experts and leaders in the crowdfunding, fintech and altfi sectors. Over 440 attendees were in attendance, including 75+ speakers, 30 sessions and 12 pitching companies.

View the #CCS2016 event website | photo album  | highlights video

2016 Canadian Crowdfunding Summit

Now in its second year, the Canadian Crowdfunding Summit (hosted by the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada) is Canada’s only national event on crowdfunding, alternative finance and fintech that brings together Canadian and international industry experts, leaders and innovators in the fast growing and lucrative crowdfunding alternative finance industry. With the newly released equity crowdfunding regulations across Canada and the emergence of marketplace lending and investment bank 2.0 platforms, 2016 is anticipated to be a year of exponential growth.

This year's Summit was officially opened by Ontario Finance Minister Hon. Charles Sousa, who endorsed the emerging industry, which helps build on the province's plan for economic growth and job creation.

Master of Ceremonies Michael Brancroft (Executive Producer of Bloomberg Canada TV and co-host of The Feed with Amber Mac on Sirius XM), Tim Jackson (EVP Corporate and Community Development, MaRS) and Craig Asano (founder and Executive Director of the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada) kicked off the summit at 8:30 am, with Hon. Charles Sousa ringing the opening bell.

 

View Official Opening Speech: 

Honourable Charles Sousa, Endorses Canadian Crowdfunding Industry at 2016 Summit

 

CF160302-100

Amar Njjar (CEO, R2CROWD), Tim Jackson (EVP Corporate and Community Development, MaRS), Hon. Charles Sousa (Ontario Finance Minister) and Craig Asano (Founder & Executive Director, NCFA Canada)

 

CF160302-196

Hon. Charles Sousa with the media.

Following the official opening came the Summit's keynote speaker Bill Morrow (founder and CEO, Angels Den), who discussed what it takes for a crowdfunding ecosystem to thrive in a country, and not just exist based on over 8 years of insight from having operated Angels Den in the UK and internationally. There is an implied assumption from most crowdfunding platforms that startups "just" need cash to get up and running... but cash is only #3 on most angel investor's list of important factors to consider, after passion / excitement about the company, and altruism.

Bill Morrow head of Europe and Asia's largest angel network, said "I was so impressed with the vibrant ecosystem that we have entered into negotiations with a partner firm and two professional service providers with a view to setting up Angels Den in Canada. Hopefully we will see Angels Den return next year as a full member of The Association and playing a fuller part in the running of this amazing event"

Following the keynote were a number of shorter TEDx-style talks and presentation on diverse topics covering Canadian and global market data and trends; the sharing economy; trust and transparency in the internet of money, diversity in crowdfunding; P2P lending and the future of banking; virtual reality; equity crowdfunding's impact on private and public markets, and marketing to millennials.

CF160302-219Teri Kirk (CEO, Funding Portal)

CF160302-248Ted Graham (Innovation Leader, PwC)
CF160302-271Bernd Petak (Founder and CEO, Finstripe) CF160302-286Amy Cortese (founder and editor, Locavesting)

CF160302-299Cato Pastoll (Co-founder and CEO, Lending Loop)

 CF160302-343Christopher Charlesworth (Co-founder and CEO, HiveWire)
CF160302-357Peter-Paul Van Hoeken (CEO, Frontfundr)

 

CF160302-366Sophie Nicolaou (Head of Marketing and PR, Lending Arch) and Ryan Laidlaw (FinTexpert, Lending Arch)

Next came the much-anticipated panel " Fireside Chat with Crowdfunding Rockstars" moderated by Mark Evans (Principal, ME Consulting) with panelists Daniel Blumer (CEO/Co-founder, Revol Technologies Inc, whose raised over $2.6 million USD for their Revols product - Bluetooth earphones that mold to the contours of a person’s ears, earning them the new record for Canada's top crowdfunding campaign; Behrouz Hariri (Co-founder, Smart Nora), raised more than $1 million USD in pre-orders for Nora, the non-invasive and smart snoring solution and Judeh Siwady (CEO/Founder, Spacefy), who recently raised capital through equity crowdfunding for Spacefy, which gives creators access to unique and under-utilized spaces while allowing space owners to further monetize their spaces.

 

Finally, the morning session wrapped up with an industry experts panel on Regulatory Perspectives: What to Expect in 2016 with securities lawyers, the Ontario Securities Commission, an founders of leading crowdfunding and crowdlending platforms moderated by Alixe Cormick (President, Venture Law Corporation) and panelists Daryl Hatton (CEO, Sponsifi & FundRazr), Monica Kowal (Vice Chair, Ontario Securities Commission), Jason Saltzman (Partner, Dentons Canada LLP) and Kevin Sandhu (CEO, Grow).

 

Then comes the mad dash to the buffet tables as lunch time rolls around! Several guests avoided the lines by going to R2CROWD's Lunch & Learn in the green room: How to Achieve 8-12% Annual ROI in Commercial Real Estate through Crowdfunding.

 

For Profit BusinessCast 'Live at the Summit' podcast --> Listen Now

Hosted by Robert Gold

 

After lunch, the crowd chose from 5 concurrent afternoon streams of workshops, panel sessions and live pitching. Here's a look at the highlights from the Main Stage (Auditorium B+C), where the following sessions took place:

  • 1:15 PM: The Emergence of Fintech in Lending: What it Means for Banks and Main St. [Moderator: Sarah Efron (Small Business Editor, The Globe and Mail), Panelists Kevin Clark (Co-founder and President, Lendified), Tabitha Creighton (CEO/Co-founder, InvestNextDoor) and Jeff Mitelman (CEO, Thinking Capital)]

 

 

  • 2:00 PM: Investment Strategies: Why Leading Angels/VCs are Joining the Crowd [Moderator: Sunil Sharma (Managing Partner, Extreme Venture Partners), Panelists Janet Bannister (General Partner, Real Ventures), Karen Grant (Executive Director, Angel One Investor Network) and Jim Orlando (Managing Director, OMERS Ventures)]

 

 

  • 3:00 PM: Market Makers: Equity Crowdfunding's Impact on the Innovation Economy [Moderator: Megan Cornell (Founder & CEO, Momentum Law), Panelists Sandi K. Gilbert (Founder & CEO, SeedUps Canada), Rubsun Ho (CEO, Crowdmatrix) and David Shore (Director, Investor Relations, OurCrowd)]

 

 

  • 3:45 PM: Hot Vertical: Real Estate Crowdfunding, an Emerging New Asset Class [Moderator: Brooks Barnett (Manager, Government Relations & Policy, Real Property Association of Canada), Panelists Ann Kaplan (CEO, Brix RCR), Amar Nijjar (President & CEO, R2Crowd) and Hitesh Rathod (CEO, NexusCrowd Inc.)]

 

 

 

 

Highlights from the Tactical Stream (Auditorium A), where the following sessions took place:

  • 1:15 PM: Big Data Investment Trends and Digital Finance Technologies [Moderator: Asier Ania (Co-Founder, HiveWire), Panelists Steven Dryall (Principal, Incipient Technologies), Craig O'Neill (CEO & Director, Versapay) and Angela Wang (Associate Director, Big Data, North America, UnionPay Smart)]

 

 

  • 2:00 PM: How Dubuc Motors, Canada's first EV car, is raising $25M in the US? [Moderator: Carlos Pinto Lobo (Chief Compliance Officer), Panelists Alixe Cormick (President, Venture Law Corporation), Mario Dubuc (Co-Founder & CEO, Dubuc Motors) and Mike Kakogiannakis (Co-Founder & COO, Dubuc Motors)]

 

 

  • 3:00 PM: The Marketplace Lending Opportunity for Banks and Institutional Investors [Moderator: Dr. Sean Geobey (Assistant Professor at the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development, University of Waterloo), Panelists Jeff Brown (Vice President, Community Banking, Meridian), Tabitha Creighton (CEO/Co-founder, InvestNextDoor) and Colin Kilgour (Co-founder, First Marketplace Group)]

 

 

  • 3:45 PM: Making the Most of Every Dollar Raised: Financial Planning for SMEs [Presenters: Darryl Irwin (Tax Partner, PwC) and Alan Lio (Senior Tax Associate, PwC)]

 

 

CF160302-492

Big Data Investment Trends and Digital Finance Technologies panel.

 

 

 

Highlights from the Tactical Stream (CR2), where the following sessions took place:

  • 1:15 PM: Crowdfunding Best Practices: Pre, Launch, and Post Campaign [Moderator: Christopher Charlesworth (Co-Founder and CEO, HiveWire), Panelists Bret Conkin (Founder & CEO, Crowdfund Suite), Khierstyn Ross (Founder & Podcaster, Uncut Entrepreneur) and Jaimy Warner (Executive Director, Raindance Canada)]

 

 

  • 2:00 PM: The Longest 40 Days of Your Life: AMA (Ask Me Anything) [Moderator: Sunny Shao (Advisor, National Crowdfunding Association of Canada), Panelists Gareth Everard (Co-founder, Rockwell Razors), Viktor Grabovskyy (Co-founder, Forever Spin) and Corey Herscu (President, Herscu and Goldsilver)]

 

 

  • 3:00 PM: Protecting Yourself, Your Business and Your Crowdfunding Investment [Moderator: Jeff Musson (President, Dynamite Network), Panelists Chantal Cipriano (Lawyer / Manager, Compliance, BMO Private Banking), Marvin Huberman (Barrister, Mediator, Arbitrator, Marvin J. Huberman) and Monica Tigleanu (Financial Institutions Underwriter, AIG)

 

 

  • 3:45 PM: Community Capital and Locavesting [Moderator: Amy Cortese (Founder & Editor, Locavesting), Panelists Jennifer Bryan (Community Investment and Marketing Manager, SolarShare), Trish Nixon (Director of Investments, CoPower) and Adam Spence (Founder & Director, The SVX, MaRS Centre for Impact Investing)

 

 

 

Highlights from the Meet & Greet (Green Room), where the following sessions took place:

  • 1:15 PM: Meet & Greet with Dentons: Crowd Financing Options for Start-Ups [Kris Miks (Senior Associate, Denton and Jason Saltzman (Partner, Dentons Canada LLP)]
  • 2:00 PM: Presentation & Discussion by OSC: Ontario's Crowdfunding Regime (MI 45-108) [Maria Carelli (Senior Accountant, Compliance and Registrant Regulations, Ontario Securities Commission) and Rick Whiler (Senior Accountant, Corporate Finance Branch, Ontario Securities Commission)]
  • 3:00 PM: Hosted by NexusCrowd: Crowdfunding Real Estate Primer for Accredited Investors [Hitesh Rathod (CEO, NexusCrowd Inc.)]

 

Meet & Greet with Dentons: Crowd Financing Options for Startups

Meet & Greet with Dentons: Crowd Financing Options for Startups

Meet & Greet with the Ontario Securities Commission.

Meet & Greet with the Ontario Securities Commission.

 

And last but certainly not least, highlights from the Live Pitching stream (CR3) where 12 startups pitched in front of a panel of judges and the crowd for "Front of the Line" Golden Tickets to CBC Dragon's Den auditions.

  • 1:15 PM: Live Pitching Live Pitching 1 – Session Lead: DMZ (post-revenue)
    Pitchers: Pinnguaq (Ryan Oliver), SmartHalo (Xavier Peich), Riipen (Richard Tuck)
    Judges: Bill Morrow (Angels Den), Sherif El-­Tawil (DMZ), Kathryn Wortsman (MaRS)
  • 2:00 PM: Live Pitching Live Pitching 2 – Session Lead: Founder Institute (pre-revenue)
    Pitchers: Vizwik (Simon Gauvin), Flipd (Andres Moreno), Rna Diagnostics (John Connolly)
    Judges: Kamal Hussein (IncMind), Dr. Marat Ressin (YEDInstitute), Russell Samuels (Whitecap Venture Partners)
  • 3:00 PM: Live Pitching Live Pitching 3 – Session Lead: Startup Canada (post-revenue)
    Pitchers: Stashbelt (Jonah Brotman), Comfable (Neda Ghazi), The Sharing Depot (Ryan Dyment)
    Judges: Sean Burke (Frontfundr), Jim Orlando (OMERS Ventures), Sean Wise (Ryerson University)
  • 3:45 PM: Live Pitching Live Pitching 4 – Session Lead: MaRS (3:45 PM pre-revenue)
    Pitchers: Yirego (Megan Savage), NERv (Amr Abdelgawad), Eye-LIVE (Murray McKercher and David Baker)
    Judges: Ben Zlotnick (INcubes), Mark Skapinker (Brightspark Ventures), Anthony Lipschitz (Thinking Capital)

 

CF160302-512

Richard Tuck pitching Riipen.

 

Ryan Oliver pitching Pinnguaq.

Ryan Oliver pitching Pinnguaq.

 

CF160302-518

Xavier Peich wins the first live pitching session with SmartHalo.

 

 

 

Simon Gauvin pitching Vizwik.

Simon Gauvin pitching Vizwik.

 

Andres Moreno pitching Flipd.

Andres Moreno pitching Flipd.

 

John Connolly wins the 2nd live pitching session with Rna Diagnostics.

John Connolly wins the 2nd live pitching session with Rna Diagnostics.

 

 

 

Jonah Brotman pitching Stashbelt.

Jonah Brotman pitching Stashbelt.

 

Neda Ghazi pitching QTempSmart, Comfable's flagship product.

Neda Ghazi pitching QTempSmart, Comfable's flagship product.

 

Ryan Dyment wins the 3rd live pitching session with The Sharing Depot.

Ryan Dyment wins the 3rd live pitching session with The Sharing Depot.

 

 

 

Amr Abdelgawad pitches NERv Technology.

Amr Abdelgawad pitches NERv Technology.

 

Murray McKercher and David Baker pitch Eye-LIVE Media.

Murray McKercher and David Baker pitch Eye-LIVE Media.

 

Megan Savage wins the final live pitching session with the Drumi, Yirego's flagship product.

Megan Savage wins the final live pitching session with the Drumi, Yirego's flagship product.

 

 

The crowd gathers back in the main auditorium for the closing panel, closing keynote and closing remarks for the day, including a power panel of experts discussing the future of crowdfunding and the democratization of finance moderated by Erin Bury; a look at P2P decentralized networks by Anthony Di Iorio, who raised over $18 million for his Ethereum crowdfunding campaign (the 5th largest crowdfunding campaign in the world, also partially funded by bitcoin); and finally closing remarks by Adam Nanjee, Head of Fintech at MaRS.

 

 

 

Big thanks to everyone who attended this year's Summit and all the sponsors, speakers, community partners and volunteers who helped make this event possible! We hope to see you again in 2017!

 

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View the #CCS2016 event website

View the #CCS2016 photo album

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR #CCS2016 SPONSORS AND PARTNERS:

All Sponsors

All Partners

 

The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a cross-Canada non-profit actively engaged with both social and investment crowdfunding stakeholders across the country. NCFA Canada provides education, research, leadership, support and networking opportunities to over 1300+ members and works closely with industry, government, academia, community and eco-system partners and affiliates to create a strong and vibrant crowdfunding industry in Canada. Learn more About Us or visit ncfacanada.org.

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March 8, 2016   Fintech and Networking Events, Innovation and Resources, NCFA Supported Events   No comments

Ottawa Event (April 5-6, 2016) The 15th Annual RE$EARCH Money Conference

RE$EARCH MONEY | March 8, 2016

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The 15th Annual RE$EARCH Money Conference

Reversing the Trend: Taking Canada’s Innovation Game to the Next Level

5-6 April 2016

Sheraton Ottawa Hotel

 

The Science, Technology and Innovation Council (STIC) lays out a bleak picture of Canada’s STI performance in its fourth biannual public report, State of the Nation Report 2014. One grave concern is Canada’s poor record of growing sustainable, large firms in knowledge-based industry sectors.

Learn more about the STIC report in a special feature by RE$EARCH MONEY.

The 15th annual RE$EARCH MONEY conference will focus on how to fix Canada’s innovation problem. Innovation is a business strategy for identifying needs and selling products and services to meet those needs better than anyone else. Will the first budget of the new federal government provide any new thinking or investment that might reverse Canada’s decline in knowledge-based commerce? What are the key areas that governments must focus on in order to help companies scale and compete in global markets?

Confirmed Speakers Include:

  • Lisa Crossley (CEO, Moseda Technologies Inc.)
  • Karna Gupta (President & CEO, ITAC)
  • Ted Hewitt (President, SSHRC)
  • Pat Horgan (VP, Manufacturing, Development & Operations, IBM Canada)
  • Kenneth Knox (Chair, Science, Technology, & Innovation Council)
  • Amer Matar (CTO, Moneris)
  • Mario Pinto (President, NSERC)
  • Carl Rodrigues (President & CEO, SOTI)
  • Matthew Saunders (President & Managing Director, Ryerson Futures)
  • Allison B. Sekuler (Associate VP & Dean, Graduate Studies, McMaster University)
  • Alison Sunstrum (CEO, GrowSafe Systems Ltd.)
  • David Watters (CEO, Global Advantage)

Following the close of the conference, business leaders, policy makers, and other stakeholders will engage with one another in order to create a constructive dialogue on how to improve Canada's ability to grow large, sustainable Canadian firms (invite-only session).

Don’t miss Canada’s premier innovation policy conference. Click here to learn more and to register, or email Rebecca Melville (rebecca@impactg.com) for more information. Use our partner code AP2016 for a 10% discount.

>>> Click here to register <<<

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The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a cross-Canada non-profit actively engaged with both social and investment crowdfunding stakeholders across the country. NCFA Canada provides education, research, leadership, support and networking opportunities to over 1300+ members and works closely with industry, government, academia, community and eco-system partners and affiliates to create a strong and vibrant crowdfunding industry in Canada. Learn more About Us or visit ncfacanada.org.

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February 9, 2016   Equity Crowdfunding, Alternative Funding, Fintech and Networking Events, NCFA Supported Events, Venture Funding and Building   No comments

SeedUps Canada “Be the Dragon” Investor Tour (Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto)

CrowdCapital: SeedUps Canada blog | January 24, 2016

Be_the_Dragon_Email

SeedUps Canada

Investing in private companies isn't just for Dragons anymore. With several new capital raising options available to private companies, you have the opportunity to invest in companies that until now, you didn't have access to.

Date and Time

Location

February 11, 2016 | 2:00pm – 5:30pm

Blue Horizon Hotel - 1225 Robson Street Vancouver, BC

February 17, 2016 | 2:00pm – 6:00pm

Calgary Economic Development - Terrace View Room - 731 1 Street Southeast Calgary, AB

March 2, 2016 | 2:00pm – 6:00pm

The Spoke Club (Room TBD) 600 King St. W, Toronto, ON

SeedUps Canada is hitting the road on their "Be the Dragon Investor Tour" to introduce this next generation of private capital investing to investors, both new and old. You'll learn how ordinary and sophisticated investors can come together to invest in vetted private placements that provide growth capital to Canada's exciting private companies. You'll even hear from some of these companies directly, as they share their stories and plans for their businesses.

The tour launches in Vancouver on February 11th with stops in Calgary on the 17th and Toronto on March 2nd. The Toronto stop corresponds with #CCS2016, the 2nd Annual Canadian Crowdfunding Summit where SeedUps is a Diamond Sponsor. Participants at the “Be the Dragon” tour events will learn how on-line platforms are transforming the private capital markets, hear from companies raising capital and enjoy networking with investors from all walks of life.

All registered attendees of the "Be the Dragon Investor Tour" will receive 25% off VIP All Access passes to the 2016 Canadian Crowdfunding Summit (#CCS2016) March 2-3*.

For more information about the tour, go to the event page.

Register Now --> here

*Registered attendees of "Be the Dragon" will receive a 25% discount code to #CCS2016 at the event and through "Be the Dragon" email communications.

 

Join us at the 2016 Canadian Crowdfunding Summit on March 3 | Innovation | Investors | Entrepreneurship

CCS2016 - March 3 2nd Annual Canadian Crowdfunding Summit

The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a cross-Canada non-profit actively engaged with both social and investment crowdfunding stakeholders across the country. NCFA Canada provides education, research, leadership, support and networking opportunities to over 1300+ members and works closely with industry, government, academia, community and eco-system partners and affiliates to create a strong and vibrant crowdfunding industry in Canada. Learn more About Us or visit ncfacanada.org.

 

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January 20, 2016   Fintech and Networking Events, Fundraising, Investing, Trading, NCFA Supported Events   No comments

Toronto Event (January 27): Real Estate Capital Markets 2016

Queen's University | January 19, 2016QueensLogo_colour

EXECUTIVE SEMINARS ON CORPORATE AND INVESTMENT REAL ESTATE

Real Estate Capital Markets 2016

Date and Time: Wednesday, January 27, 2016, 8:30 am to 4:10 pm

Venue: St. Andrew’s Club & Conference Centre, 150 King Street West, Toronto

The commercial real estate sector in general has over several years outperformed virtually every other asset class, and flows of both equity and debt capital are reflecting this. Capital appreciation has exceeded cash flow yields, continuing a nearly two-decade long "bullish" run, helped along by low interest rates, managed supply of new product, strong employment, increased housing demand and healthy financial institutions. Yet the public markets now seem to be levelling off, due in part to lower demand for natural resources and a weak Canadian dollar. The considerable maturity and institutionalization of the Canadian property markets are causing many investors to look abroad to the US, Europe, Asia and Latin America. There is uncertainty about the impact of future policies of the new federal government, especially concerning income tax and lending rates.

Retailers are coping with high consumer debt levels, currency exchange rates making goods more costly, and online shopping growth. The office sector is experiencing record levels of new construction in cities such as Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. There is looming oversupply and falling rents in several markets. Canada's loss of manufacturing is a growing challenge for industrial real estate, while rapid technology advances are revitalizing this sector. Despite the continuation of the condo boom, rental apartments are making a resurgence and attracting institutional investors. Will population growth, immigration and aging create enough demand for this growing supply, especially at the upper end of the rent scale?

While the markets should remain stable through 2016, growth is doubtful. Will this present an opportunity for private equity firms to acquire large REITs and REOCs? Will large public entities continue to grow by acquiring smaller firms and expanding outside of Canada? Will Canadian capital continue be invested in recovering foreign real estate? On the debt side, what opportunities and challenges does the withdrawal from Canada of several major foreign institutional lenders present? When will interest rates begin to rise, and what impact will this have?

This stimulating, full-day conference will engage many of the industry's foremost leaders in an informative, candid and interactive forum. It will investigate the causes and effects of these significant trends in Canadian real estate capital markets - both current and emerging. Four insightful panel discussions will focus on REITs, REOCs and IPOs; foreign equity investment into Canada; conventional lending; and crowdfunding / alternative lending. The panel sessions will have a practical focus: analyzing current trends, forecasting future changes, and examining strategies executives can immediately implement to capitalize on opportunities and manage risks presented by emerging market conditions. The event will also provide many informal networking opportunities to build business relationships with senior executives across a broad spectrum within the commercial real estate and capital markets sectors.

SEMINAR CO-CHAIRS

  • Philip Gillin, Senior Managing Director & Portfolio Manager, Canadian Property Investments, Sun Life Investment Management Inc.  
  • Daniel Simunac, Managing Director & Principal Officer, Raymond James Bank

PROGRAM

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: LESSONS LEARNED IN GLOBAL REAL ESTATE INVESTING

  • Graeme Eadie, Global Head of Real Estate Investments, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, in conversation with Philip Gillin. 

REITs, REOCs & IPOs: IN RECOVERY OR RELAPSE?

  • Demetri Andros, Managing Director, Valuation & Advisory Services, GTA, Colliers International (Moderator)
  • Mandy Abramsohn, Vice President, Financial Advisory Services - Real Estate, Ernst & Young Orenda Corporate Finance Inc.
  • Mark Rothschild, Managing Director, Canaccord Genuity
  • Greg Stevenson, Chief Executive Officer, Slate Retail REIT
  • Antoine Tronquoy, Chief Financial Officer, Inovalis REIT

CONVENTIONAL LENDING: TRYING TO SUSTAIN UNCONVENTIONAL MARKET STRENGTH INTO 2016

  • Tamara Lawson, Chief Financial Officer, Starlight Investments Ltd. (Moderator)
  • Peter Capani, Vice President & Regional Manager, Real Estate, RGA Group
  • Dan LePage, Managing Director, Head of US Real Estate Corporate Banking, Royal Bank of Canada
  • Geoff McTait, Principal, The Blackstone Group
  • Hedayat Nasoody, Director, Real Estate Corporate Banking, CIBC World Markets

FOREIGN EQUITY CAPITAL FLOWS: INFLOW TO CANADA OR FLIGHT?

  • Craig Smith, President & Broker of Record, Ashlar Urban Realty Inc. (Moderator)
  • Colin Catherwood, Vice President, Investments, Canada, Welltower Inc.
  • Derek Dermott, Executive Vice President, Jones Lang LaSalle
  • Viren Wong, Investment Director, Anbang Asset Management (Hong Kong) Co. Ltd.

CROWDFUNDING COMES TO CANADA: USING TECHNOLOGY TO FACILITATE CAPITAL FLOWS

  • Chad Gemmell, Co-Founder, Real Crowd Capital Inc. & Vice President, Debt Capital Markets, Jones Lang LaSalle (Moderator)
  • Craig Asano, Founder & Executive Director, National Crowdfunding Association of Canada
  • Brad McDonald, Managing Partner, M+H Properties Group
  • Don McDonald, President, Waverley Corporate Financial Services Ltd.
  • Jason Saltzman, Partner, Dentons Canada LLP

Click here to register 

 

The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a cross-Canada non-profit actively engaged with both social and investment crowdfunding stakeholders across the country. NCFA Canada provides education, research, leadership, support and networking opportunities to over 1300+ members and works closely with industry, government, academia, community and eco-system partners and affiliates to create a strong and vibrant crowdfunding industry in Canada. Learn more About Us or visit ncfacanada.org.

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