Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Karsten Wenzlaff is a Crowdfunding and Fintech Expert from Germany. He is Secretary-General of Digit[...]
Category Archives: NCFA Supported Events
Toronto Event (June 2): Money Forum 2015
Enterprise Toronto | Chris Rickett | Apr 24, 2015
Looking for ways to fund your business?
Attend the 2015 Enterprise Toronto Money Forum
Join Enterprise Toronto for a full-day session focused on helping small and medium-sized businesses get connected to financial resources to help them grow and succeed.
Darrell BrickerCEO, Ipsos Public Affairs
What Canadians Think: About Practically Everything
Dr. Darrell Bricker is the CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs, a division of the world's second largest market research firm with offices in 25 countries. He is a frequent guest as a media commentator on political, social and business issues. Darrell will share insights into "What Canadians Think: About Practically Everything". You will learn why Canadians think the way they do about things, and how these facts apply to your business and what your organization be thinking about.
Panel Discussion - Looking Under the Couch Cushions: Non-Traditional Sources of Funding
Every business needs money to succeed. This panel discussion will highlight different funding sources for entrepreneurs, as well as the stories of entrepreneurs who have been successful in using non-traditional funding sources to start and grow their businesses.
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Steven Uster - Co-Founder, FundThrough
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Craig Asano - Executive Director, National Crowdfunding Association of Canada
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Scott Bowman - Senior Director Ontario, Futurpreneur Canada
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Andrew Graham - Chief Executive Officer, Borrowell
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Rubson Ho - Chief Crowdpleaser, Crowdmatrix Inc.
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David Joyce - Co-Founder, ReDeTec
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Megan Chan & Erynn Mayes, Kanga Australian Meat Pies
Tactical Break-Out Sessions
- Crowdfunding 101: A Comprehensive Overview of Crowdfunding
- Building a Business Plan for Your Financial Institution
- Non-Traditional Funding Sources: Finding Ways to Fund Your Business
- How to Apply for Financing: Funding Your Business with Futurpreneur
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, June 2nd, 2015
Time: 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West - Council Chambers
Cost: $25
Register: www.moneyforum2015.eventbrite.com
Limited Number of Early Bird Tickets @ $15
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 950+ 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.
Toronto Event (May 28, 2015): NCFA Summer Kickoff Networking Event
NCFA Canada | Craig Asano | May 7, 2015
Summer Kickoff Networking Event!
Join hosts National Crowdfunding Association of Canada and Crowdmatrix and Extreme Innovations for a summer kickoff networking night and social mixer in the heart of the financial district in Toronto.
Cast off the winter blues and head up to the Extreme Venture Partners Rooftop patio for sweeping panoramic views and some frosty Highlander Brew. Interested in disrupting the finance industry, raising capital or participating in the crowdfunding industry? Here's a perfect opportunity to mingle with the crowd, fintech startups, investors and industry experts. Strategize with colleagues, friends and potential partners to propel your venture to the next milestone in one of Canada's fastest growing sectors.
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Who is this event for?
This event is for NCFA members, friends and supporters as well as anyone interested in networking and collaborating with startups, investors, angels, early stage-focused VC's and other experts in the crowdfunding, fintech, mobile payments, crypto-currency and big data analytics industries.
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Paying it forward...
Contribute to event sponsor and community supporter Highlander Brew's live crowdfunding campaign who are fundraising to expand their brewery and launch Canada's only Brewery Technician educational school! Purchase raffle tickets to win some great Highlander prizes at the networking event.
Event Hosts & Contributing Sponsors:
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Event Details:
May 28, 2015 from 5:30 PM - 9:30PM
Extreme Venture Partners (Rooftop patio)
67 Yonge Street, 16th Floor, Toronto, ON M5E 1J8 (map)
Panoramic view
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Registration and Ticket Prices:
$15 Early Crowd
$20 Standard
$25 Late
$30 Co-founders (2 tickets)
$5 per raffle ticket / $20 for 5 tickets for Highlander Brew Prizes
All tickets include entrance, food and drinks
13% HST extra (we'll pick-up the eventbrite platform fees)
Hashtag #NCFALive
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Get a ticket before they're gone!
About National Crowdfunding Association of Canada
As Canada’s crowdfunding advocate, NCFA Canada works closely with industry, government and academia to build support for Canada’s rapidly growing Crowdfunding community by providing education, advocacy and networking opportunities to a national membership base of 1100+ industry stakeholders, small businesses, and investors. NCFA Canada is a community-based, membership-driven entity that was formed at a grass-roots level to fill a national need in the market place. For more information please visit ncfacanada.org.
About Crowdmatrix
Crowdmatrix Inc. is building an online equity crowdfunding platform that, when launched, will facilitate capital-raising by bringing together companies seeking private funding and sophisticated investors that are willing to back them. A portfolio company of Extreme Venture Partners, Crowdmatrix will leverage technology to provide entrepreneurs and growth companies with an efficient marketplace where they can find capital, close deals and fund their ambitions. For more information please visit www.crowdmatrix.co.
About Extreme Venture Partners
Extreme Venture Partners (EVP) is one of Canada’s most successful venture capital funds over the past decade. With its focus on mobile, EVP I (launched in 2007) achieved superior investment returns while helping to launch and help grow more than 20 companies which ultimately lead to over 1000 well paying technology jobs in Canada. For more information please visit www.evp.vc.
About Highlander Brew Co
Highlander Brew Co. is located in South River, Ontario, in the Almaguin Highlands from which Highlander takes its name. The brewery began operations in 2009 when Brewmaster Brian Wilson made the brewery’s first beer, a traditional Scottish Ale. For more information please visit www.highlanderbrewco.com or our live crowdfunding campaign!
About the OCMX
The OCMX provides institutions and investors with a totally transparent and online marketplace from which institutional-sized opportunities can be screened and analyzed by institutional sized investors. The concept behind our Institutional Marketplace has been recognized as the next generation in Corporate Finance. For more information please visit www.theocmx.com.
About HiveWire
HiveWire is a triple-bottom line enterprise focused on accelerating the adoption of clean technology solutions, as well as enabling social enterprises, by assisting with the efficient allocation of capital to companies and projects. We help organizations access the power of the crowd through the application of innovative technology. Our overall goal is to facilitate connections between investors and opportunities by developing integrated ecosystems that generate shared value. For more information please visit www.hivewire.ca.
About Borrowell
Borrowell is an online marketplace lending platform that provides responsible Canadians with better borrowing options. Our online application process is simple and caters to Canadians with good credit scores who want a better alternative to high interest rates on credit cards and avoid the inconvenience of bank loans. The loans are funded by carefully selected institutional investors, allowing us to offer better rates, better service and a better customer experience. For more information please visit www.borrowell.com.
About Wealthsimple
Wealthsimple is Canada's fastest growing online investment manager. Our mission is to make smart investing easy for everyone. We help you build a globally diversified ETF portfolio and include on-demand financial advisory services, all for one of the lowest fees in Canada - just 0.35 to 0.5%. For more information please visit www.wealthsimple.com.
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See you there!
Interested in getting involved as a sponsor?
If you'd like to get involved with this event please contact us at info@ncfacanada.org.
Interested in learning about social media and crowdfunding? Check out our May 26 Webinar: Social Media & Crowdfunding Intensive Toolkit
Webinar (May 26, 2015): Social Media & Crowdfunding Toolkit Intensive
NCFA Canada in partnership with Raindance Canada | May 8, 2015
The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada is excited to present a social media and crowdfunding intensive webinar in collaboration with Raindance, a non-profit film training and networking organization that works to support and promote independent filmmakers around the world, and The Social Smiths, a data-driven social media and crowdfunding management company.
If you are planning to launch, design and market a successful crowdfunding campaign (or have a live one on the go), this is a must attend comprehensive webinar that covers essential marketing and social media strategies to grow and engage your audience. This webinar builds on the crowdfunding basics and focuses on leveraging social media before, during, and after your campaign to successfully reach your goals.
Webinar Overview:
Are you making the most of your networks to educate, engage, and incentivize your online community?
Whether you're a Creative, Brand, or Business, social media is the most effective platform for communicating your message to fans and customers. Social media provides a platform to create shared experiences between you and your fans, but most marketers aren't taking advantage of this unique opportunity, resulting in poorly received crowdfunding campaigns and negative customer experiences.
In this hands-on 3 hour workshop, you'll learn how to cultivate a vibrant social media community, primed to support your commercial and crowdfunding projects. Topics covered in the workshop include:
- 7 simple content generation and management tools
- The 3 month Social Growth Strategy
- Defining and sharing your creative voice
- Stoke/Strike/Quench: how to make the most out of the 3 phases of your crowdfunding campaign
- Creating your Evangelist Team: how to seed super-fans
What others are saying about this workshop:
"Well-organized, thorough, eloquent speaker on the subject of social media! Jaimy knows what she's talking about and has more real-world experience on the subject than I've ever encountered. Truly impressive. Could not see this being led by anyone else!" -Ioanna
"This was an excellent introduction to the world of social media in the filmic context, and it gave me a realistic idea of what crowdfunding might mean." -Isaac
"So focused. Knowledgeable. Fast!" -Diane
"Very knowledgeable and so willingly shares this knowledge. She is an excellent communicator in terms of explaining all the elements of the course and very well spoken overall. Seems to still be genuinely passionate about her work and you can see she sincerely wishes to pass on this knowledge to her workshop participants." -Margot
Workshop Details:
Date: Tuesday, May 26th, 2015
Time: 6:30 pm – 9:30pm EDT
Webinar link and details will be emailed 24 hours prior to event
System Requirements: click here for more info
Registration:
$25 for NCFA members or Raindance Canada members
$30 for non-members
>>> Register here <<<
Webinar Presenter
This webinar is presented by Jaimy Warner, Executive Director of Raindance Canada, a non-profit film training and networking organization that works to support and promote independent filmmakers, as well as an NCFA Crowdfunding Ambassador. Raindance provides filmmaking workshops, networking events, and career development opportunities for new and emerging filmmakers worldwide. Under the banner of The Social Smiths, Jaimy's crowdfunding and social media management company, she recently raised over $41,000 for the Geek & Sundry web series LARPs: The Series. Jaimy can be found on Twitter @JaimyWarner or @SocialSmithies.
Webinar Facilitator
Sunny Shao is an Advisor at the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) and also an Independent Consultant focussed on marketing strategy and fundraising, financing, and crowdfunding projects for new ventures. She graduated from the MBA program at Schulich School of Business at York University last year and and has been involved with NCFA Canada since January 2013. Sunny can be found on Twitter @explicitivity.
About Raindance Canada
Raindance Canada is the local chapter of Raindance International, a non-profit film training and networking organization that works to support and promote independent filmmakers around the world. Raindance is also the founder of the Raindance Film Festival and The British Independent Film Awards. Currently Raindance operates 11 filmmaking hubs internationally, and is home to the Raindance International Film Festival - Europe's largest and longest running independent film festival. For more information please visit: www.raindance.org/toronto.
About The Social Smiths
The Soc
ial Smiths is a data-driven social media and crowdfunding management company that creates strategic opportunities for Brands, Businesses, and Creatives to build meaningful relationships with online audiences. The Social Smiths have developed social solutions for Raindance Canada, Centre for Inquiry Canada, LARPs: The Series, and consulted on several dozen crowdfunding campaigns. For more information please visit: www.thesocialsmiths.com
About NCFA Canada
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. For more information please visit the website: ncfacanada.org
>>> Click Here to Register <<<
Located in the Toronto / GTA area? Check out our Summer Kickoff Networking Event on May 28, co-hosted with Crowdmatrix and Extreme Innovations on the EVP Rooftop Patio.
Business Innovation Summit (Apr 28-29, 2015): Connect, Collaborate, and Innovate Together
Conference Board of Canada | April 17, 2015
In partnership with the Conference Board of Canada, the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada would like to invite you to attend the Business Innovation Summit 2015 on April 28-29, 2015 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
As a valued member, we are happy to extend a reduced rate of $495—that's $800 in savings—for you to attend.
The speakers will be asking tough questions and push you to innovate like a champion! The event will feature speed networking with mentors, interactive learning sessions, and plenary sessions, all accounting for opportunity to dialogue and collaborate with the key players.
Business Innovation Summit 2015 features some of North America's leading innovators to share their candid advice and insight. The Conference Board has secured a number of highly profiled leaders in innovation, including:
- Allen Lau, CEO and Co-founder of Wattpad, and Craig Hunter, CEO of Bitmaker Labs to share their successes as serial entrepreneurs;
- Dan Waldschmidt, Author of Edgy Conversations: How Ordinary People Achieve Outrageous Success to tell you how to innovate like a champion;
- Ashley Good, CEO and Founder of Fail Forward will explore how to fail intelligently in practice; and
- Sir Terry Matthews, Founder, Wesley Clover Corporation, and Chairman, March Networks will explore how Canada needs to seize today's opportunities in the digital world to create more global success stories.
Register to reserve your seat at the leading innovation event in Canada. Quote your rebate code PRM46 when registering to take advantage of your special rate of $495. Please note that this rate is available for non-registered delegates only.
If you have any questions about the program or need help with registration, please contact Emily Hayward at hayward@conferenceboard.ca or 613-526-3090 ext. 393.
NCFA will be participating in the Innovation Mentor Speed Networking segment on Tue, April 28 (1:30 PM - 2:30 PM. We hope to see you there!
View the full agenda on the Conference Board's website.
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 950+ 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.
Brant Public Library Event (Apr 16, 2015): Crowdfunding 101
Paris Branch of the County of Brant Public Library | Christine MacArthur | March 17, 2015
Free Crowdfunding 101 - Featuring RaiseHope
Thursday, April 16, 2015
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Paris Branch 2nd Floor Program Room
Overview
Are you looking for a new way to fundraise? Finding the money to support a good cause or to start a new business is often difficult. Online crowdfunding is a new fundraising innovation that might be the answer to your problem.
Join us for this free workshop where you will be introduced to the basics of online crowdfunding. Experts from RaiseHope (a Canadian crowdfunding platform) will explain which initiatives work best with crowdfunding, how to find and inspire your givers, potential tax implications and more.
RaiseHope.org helps people raise money for creative projects, new business ideas, worthy causes and everything in between. Apostolos Sigalas is a founder of the Canadian Crowdfunding site RaiseHope.org. Apostolos has been involved in banking and finance for over a decade and has been involved in the funding and growth of various start-ups, business expansions, and major commercial projects. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge in entrepreneurship and business financing for a variety of categories including restaurants, real estate development, retail, and e-commerce.
This workshop is recommend for entrepreneurs, cultural organization fundraisers and any wanting to learn more about crowdfunding fundamentals.
Space is limited; registration is required to attend this free event. Click here to register for Crowdfunding 101 online.
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 950+ 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.
#CCS2015 Wrap-up (Mar 3, 2015): 2015 Canadian Crowdfunding Summit
NCFA Canada | March 12, 2015
On March 3, 2015, the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada hosted the 1st annual Canadian Crowdfunding Summit at MaRS Discovery District in Toronto, Canada. The event sold out with over 300 attendees, 50+ speakers, 12 live pitching & showcasing companies from Canada, the US, and abroad.
View the highlights video or download the video + content pack.
Looking to get involved next year? Check out the CCS2015 Post Event Report.
2015 Canadian Crowdfunding Summit (Early Bird Registration Now Open)!
Hosted By:
Platinum Sponsors:
Gold Sponsors:
Silver Sponsor:
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Exhibitors:
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2015 Canadian Crowdfunding Summit
Date: March 3, 2015
Time: 7:30am – 6:45pm
Location: MaRS Discovery District (Auditorium)
Address: 101 College St., Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7 (map)
Ticketing: Member Registration is $200 (super early bird $160) + (non-members $275)
Limited Tickets Get Yours Today!
Registration and credit card processing fees included in price
13% HST to be added
Early Bird Discount Registration Now Open --> Register
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CONFERENCE OVERVIEW
Join us at the foremost destination for leaders in the Canadian Crowdfunding economy (#CCS2015)
Join us on Tuesday, March 3, 2015, at MaRS Discovery in Toronto for an exclusive opportunity to learn vital content and network with industry experts gathering to highlight economic progress, regulatory updates, emerging opportunities, best practices, insights and trends impactful to the future growth of the Canadian crowdfunding industry (release).
The Fintech sector is growing rapidly around the globe, playing a significant role in mobilizing capital and resources to innovative ventures and social enterprises by streamlining the process of how how organizations connect with prospective customers and investors over the internet.
Crowdfunding is helping innovative Canadian firms to launch businesses such as $1.14 million to Mass Fidelity's wireless multi-room speakers, $1 million to DreamQii's PlexiDrone and $820K to Vanhawk's connected carbon fibre bicycle. The recent Lending Club $5.4 billion IPO clearly demonstrated the appetite and potential for online lending marketplaces.
The Canadian crowdfunding industry is poised for growth. On March 20, 2014, a total of six (6) provincial regulators announced two main proposals for new Crowdfunding prospectus exemptions that would allow early stage companies such as start-ups and SMEs to raise up to $1.5 million of capital online through the issuance of securities.
With favourable regulations imminent in Canada and the global crowdfunding industry experiencing explosive growth from $1.5 billion raised in 2012 to over $5.1 billion in 2013, crowdfunding has emerged as an increasingly popular source of innovation and social capital for small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs), new ventures, projects and cause-based organizations.
Educational Programme (Full Day)
The #CCS2015 full day educational summit will feature high profile keynote speakers, panel discussions, workshops, entrepreneurial 'showcase pitches', mentor sessions and exhibitor tables featuring leading crowdfunding platforms and service providers. The program will cover all aspects of Crowdfunding including equity, debt/lending, rewards, pre-sale/product, causes, and emerging online models such as royalty streaming.
Topical Content:
- Overview of raising capital online in current markets (challenges, solutions and options)
- Regulatory briefing on the current status of equity crowdfunding regulations in Canada?
- Global and Canadian crowdfunding market data/pulse, trends, predictions
- Funding success stories (and failures) and lessons learned
- Crowdfunding for social enterprise, impact investing, charities, causes and non-profits
- Breaking down the anatomy of a successful crowdfunding campaign
- Building a crowd and working with media
- Preparing your company for raising capital online: Equity crowdfunding best practices and legal considerations (e.g., shareholders, term sheet, and intellectual property)
- Crowdfunding infrastructure for portals, provider solutions, opportunities for new entrants
- Portal landscape review, exemptions, transaction sizes, success rates
- International crowdfunding and cross-border activity
View the 2015 Canadian Crowdfunding Summit schedule & directory.
Who should attend the 2015 Canadian Crowdfunding Summit?
300+ delegates from across the country who are the decision makers in Canada’s fast growing and lucrative crowdfunding industry:
- Industry participants and experts including crowdfunding portals, legal, accounting and finance professionals, regulators, dealer-brokers, consultants, marketers, technology providers and advisory groups
- Entrepreneurial and innovation networks seeking to raise capital and commercialization ventures including incubator/accelerators, entrepreneurs, start-ups, high impact SMEs
- Social enterprise-impact investing companies, NFPs and cause-based organizations actively seeking funding
- Government (federal, provincial, municipal) involved in small business and innovation
- Private angel investors and venture capital groups, fund managers and corporate investors seeking to work emerging crowdfunding companies
- Media journalists and content creators tracking innovation, technology, small business and finance
Help Shape the Future of Crowdfunding
By attending the 2015 Canadian Crowdfunding Summit, you and your organization will have 'ground floor' opportunity to participate and help shape the impact (e.g., benefits) of crowdfunding industry (view Prezi):
- Crowdfunding spurs economic growth, creates jobs, generates revenue and stimulates innovation and entrepreneurship
- It unlocks a new source of efficient and transparent capital to fill ‘Funding Gaps’ in the Canadian economy
- It improves the quality and levels of risk capital funding in Canada to support the next generation of young, innovative firms. Crowdfunding also provides support for underserviced communities across verticals, geography and social economic tiers
- It helps SMEs achieve strong growth through regional and global market diversification and helps connect scalable ventures to angel and venture capital investment groups
- Crowdfunding accelerates the commercialization of new products, ideas and services in Canada that can compete globally and ultimately works to strengthen Canada’s entrepreneurial backbone at grassroots levels
Join Our Rapidly Emerging Industry
- Canadian Crowdfunding markets have grown significantly across the country (see Canadian Directory) since NCFA Canada launched in 2012, and is currently experiencing rapid growth in terms of the number of operating and planned portals, total funding volume, and successful transactions (85 portals, 22 providers)
- KPMG Best of FinTech Innovators (inaugural report; Dec 2014)
- Globally, crowdfunding has grown to $5.1 billion in 2013, according to US-based Massolution’s industry research report and experts expect to clear $10 billion by the end of 2014
- 2014 UK Alternative Finance Industry Report (Nov 2014)
- The World Bank report on crowdfunding predicts that crowdfunding could blossom into $96 billion industry per year
Need Hotel Accommodation (Preferred Rates)?
Kind thanks to venue and social innovation partner, MaRS Discovery District, for allowing attendees of the 2015 Canadian Crowdfunding Conference to benefit from preferred hotel rates for summit attendees (click):
- Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre (from $122/night)
- The Marriott Courtyard (from $139/night)
- Eaton Chelsea Hotel (from $149/night)
- InterContinental Hotel Toronto (from $199/night)
- Four Seasons Hotel Toronto (from $375/night)
Get preferred hotel rates now
Get Involved! Summit Participation & Sponsorship Opportunities
Chair, Speakers, Mentors/Experts, Media
(Please contact Craig Asano: casano@ncfacanada.org)
Sponsors, Exhibitors, Summit Partners
(Lauren Linton: lauren@ncfacanada.org)
Marketing, Communications, Summit Registration
(Sunny Shao: sunny@ncfacanada.org)
Showcasing Pitchers Application Form (Deadline Jan 31 @5PM EST)
(Summit Pitchers Application Form & Info)
(Carlos Pinto Lobos: cpintolobo@marsdd.com)
Seeking Experienced Volunteers (Application Form)
#CCS2015
Please share with your colleagues and networks thanks.
See you @7:30am sharp for registration and breakfast!
Limited Tickets! Early Bird Discounts Now Available --> Register
