Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Karsten Wenzlaff is a Crowdfunding and Fintech Expert from Germany. He is Secretary-General of Digit[...]
Category Archives: Online Funding / Investing Portals
NexusCrowd, Downing Street JV on crowdfunding
Real Estate News Exchange | | Jan 7, 2016
Crowdfunding startup NexusCrowd Inc. is celebrating its second successful money raise, gathering $500,000 over five weeks for a GTA industrial redevelopment.
The raise was part of a $5.8-million equity raise for Toronto-based Downing Street Realty Partners, which has two industrial properties in Toronto and one in Mississauga that require redevelopment and remediation spending.
See: Fundrise Raising $50 Million for Real Estate Crowdfunding
The Downing Street industrial properties, which total 110,000 square feet, have already undergone some redevelopment work. The two Toronto properties contain environmental contamination and are currently being remediated with an expected October completion date.
New vehicle
The $500,000 raise, completed in December, marks the second successful crowdfunding venture for NexusCrowd and the first experience Downing Street has had with the funding vehicle.
Marc Canale, a partner at Downing Street, said his company had watched the development of crowdfunding for commercial real estate in the U.S. and was eager for an opportunity to participate in this emerging financing market.
“It is new to Canada, there are 175 firms in the U.S., but I think that there are a few of them popping up in Canada and I think there will be many more.”
Canale, one of four partners at the venerable real estate firm, said the attraction of crowdfunding is what it can represent in the future rather than the $500,000 for its current project.
“What we hope is that five years from now (NexusCrowd) is raising $10 million, $2 million in this deal, $5 million in this deal. Our intention is to grow with them.”
The Downing Street partner noted he worked for a number of years in Asia, where crowdfunding has been long established in a more rudimentary fashion.
“(NexusCrowd) will be a much larger funding source for us down the road and the only way for them to start is to start small.”
Canale added his firm expects to close on “a couple properties in downtown Toronto and southwestern Ontario in March and its new crowdfunding partner “will definitely be into the next deals.”
Continue to the full article --> here
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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NexusCrowd Closes Second Commercial Real Estate Investment Offering
NexusCrowd Release | Hitesh Rathod | Dec 23, 2015
Raised $1 Million in Less Than Three Months for Commercial Real Estate Investments Using Online Platform
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Dec. 23, 2015) - NexusCrowd Inc. announced today that it has closed its second commercial real estate offering, raising $500,000 in 5 weeks. By partnering with Downing Street Realty Partners on the project, NexusCrowd allowed accredited investors to participate in the redevelopment of a portfolio of industrial properties in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
"Since September, we raised $1 million for two private commercial real estate investments using our innovative investment platform," said Hitesh Rathod, CEO of NexusCrowd. "Successfully closing our second offering indicates there is strong investor appetite for commercial real estate in Canada.
Our goal at NexusCrowd is to continue fostering long-term partnerships with successful institutional developers and private equity investors to ensure we are providing individual investors access to attractive and exclusive investment opportunities," added Mr. Rathod.
"Investors also appreciate that NexusCrowd has gone through significant regulatory scrutiny and is licensed as an Exempt Market Dealer. Their confidence is extremely important as we continue to gain solid traction in this new and growing space."
"We partnered with NexusCrowd because they are the leading commercial real estate crowdfunding platform in Canada" said Marc Canale, Partner at Downing Street. "We have over 30 years of experience developing and investing in commercial real estate but we wanted to access new sources of capital seamlessly without disrupting our business model. Our long-term partnership with NexusCrowd is a perfect fit because it enables us to do that. We are extremely pleased with how NexusCrowd executed this deal and look forward to partnering with them again in the near future," added Mr. Canale.
See: NexusCrowd Announces Partnership with Downing Street Realty Partners for a $12 Million Industrial Real Estate Redevelopment Project
About the Transaction
The redevelopment project includes three industrial properties; one in Mississauga, and two in Toronto, totaling 110,000 square feet. The properties have already been purchased by Downing Street, and redevelopment began over a year ago. The two Toronto properties with environmental contamination are currently being remediated. The expected completion date of the project is October 2016. NexusCrowd raised $500,000 of a total $5.8 million equity raise for the project.
About NexusCrowd Inc.
NexusCrowd is the first investment platform in Canada that provides accredited investors exclusive access to co-invest alongside institutional investors in deals that have reached at least 50% of the funding target. NexusCrowd is the only investment platform in Canada with an exempt market dealer license that uniquely partners with institutions on equity and debt investments. Combined with proprietary investment and fundraising technology, NexusCrowd provides a simple, transparent process for accredited investors, and a frictionless way for private equity partners to raise new capital. For further information, visit www.nexuscrowd.com.
Investor Benefits
- Exclusive access to invest alongside institutional partners
- Minimum investment size of $10,000 (up to 25x lower than the industry average)
- Broad selection of securities that fit a variety of investor risk/return goals
- Investment terms that are typically reserved for institutional investors
- Professional investment management and reporting
How it Works
- Accredited investors sign up for free, at nexuscrowd.com, with no obligation to invest
- Gain access to investment opportunities on the platform that match investment goals
- Select and invest in the opportunity of the investors' choice
- Monitor progress of investments through the easy-to-use, investment dashboard
About Downing Street Realty Partners
Downing Street Realty Partners focuses on a range of real estate investment management and real estate merchant banking activities. Downing Street acts as both principals and independent advisors to its clients and offers investment, transaction and management expertise stemming from significant expertise in the real estate market as owners, intermediaries and asset managers. Downing Street strategically identifies and executes private market transactions, adding value to its clients across their real estate and investment needs while enhancing their risk adjusted returns.
Since its founding in 1986, Downing Street has acquired, repositioned and developed over 3 million square feet of residential, office, commercial and industrial properties in Ontario, as well as other provinces in Canada. Further information can be found at www.downingstreet.com.
Disclaimer:
This communication is not an offer to sell, or solicitation to buy, securities. Offers to sell, or the solicitations of offers to buy, any security can only be made through official offering documents that contain important information about risks, fees and expenses. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and should consult with a financial advisor, lawyer, accountant, and any other professional that can assist with understanding and assessing the risks associated with any investment opportunity.
NexusCrowd Inc. is a registered Exempt Market Dealer in the Provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario. NexusCrowd Inc. operates an online investment platform intended for Canadian investors who qualify under available exemptions pursuant to Canadian National Instrument 45-106. All offerings presented on the site are considered to be highly speculative and, as such, are suitable only for purchasers who are prepared to risk the loss of their entire investment.
Contact Information
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.
Fintech lender cries foul after two big banks cut access to money transfer services
Financial Post | Barbara Shecter | Dec 17, 2015
It’s no secret that the financial industry’s upstart fintech players have picked a fight with some of the country’s biggest banks over the future of the loan business. But this month that battle spilled over into something far less existential: A dispute over access to electronic money-transfer services.
Cato Pastoll, co-founder of the peer-to-peer lender Lending Loop, says his online platform was abruptly removed from the electronic bill-payment services of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and Bank of Nova Scotia this month. It relies on the services to access online accounts from individuals who want to fund its crowd-sourced loans.
Lending Loop retained a law firm, which wrote to the banks to complain about the abrupt withdrawal of access, without notice or sufficient explanation, and the service was resumed. But Pastoll said he was then given 30 days’ notice that he will lose access again, meaning that Lending Loop will be cut off from the two banks’ customers again in early January.
“Unfortunately we do not have a back-up solution figured out as of yet but we’re hard at work to find something that will cause minimal disruption to our service,” Pastoll said.
See:
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Interview: Canada’s P2P Small Business Marketplace, Lending Loop, Gains Traction
-
Lending Loop Launches Online Marketplace for Canadians to Lend Directly to Main Street
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Let's Cheer, not fear, the rise of fintech alternative lenders
The two banks were unable to respond to the Financial Post’s request for comment before deadline, Wednesday.
Pastoll theorized that the large banks might be worried about competition, and suggested it would be a “typical response for an industry incumbent to make when facing the threat of new entrants.” Still, the upstart continues to use comparable payment services at Royal Bank of Canada and Bank of Montreal “without any issues,” Pastoll said.
The banks’ services allow people to transfer money online from their bank account to a Lending Loop account, from which they can lend the money to small businesses. Pastoll points out that online discount stock brokerages, such as Questrade, are allowed to use the services in a similar fashion.
Lending Loop, like other fintech firms, is combining technology and data to target a line of business traditionally dominated by the banks. So far, Pastoll says more than 1,500 individual lenders have signed up to its platform and the startup has fielded applications from more than 300 small business borrowers.
Continue to the full article --> here
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.
Crowdfunding for RESPs: Toronto company launches ‘simple solution’ to raise money for child’s education
Financial Post by Garry Marr | December 2, 2015
Don’t have enough money to make a contribution to your child’s registered education savings plan? Why not tap into friends and family?
A Toronto company is promising to bring crowdfunding to the RESP world. Heritage Education Funds Inc., Toronto-based a provider of RESPs, is launching what it calls the Heritage eGifting Program.
“This program is a unique, convenient, and simple solution,” says a company release, noting subscribers to the program will be able to electronically collect funds towards a child’s RESP.
RESPs have become increasingly popular in Canada because the federal government matches every dollar with a 20 per cent grant, up to $500 per year and $7,200 lifetime. More money is available for low income Canadians and a number of provinces have their own matching programs.
Related: The Future of Financial Services
“Heritage recognized the need parents have in terms of saving enough money, while at the same time looking towards their family, friends and those in the community who could also help raise funds, particularly for special occasions and life milestones where many prefer to give the child money,” says the company, in it release.
Jason Maguire, chief executive of Heritage Education Funds, says his organization is the first in Canada to bring this type of service to the industry.
“Everyone who uses it will see the great value in investing into those solutions and in making a difference in a child’s life,” he said in a release.
The Heritage program will be powered by FundRazr, a crowd funding platform that has, to date, helped raise more than $74 million from over 45,000 campaigns around the world.
Related: How FundRazr is Turning Websites into Crowdfunding Platforms
“For the first time, and just in time for the holidays, friends and relatives will be able to safely and securely contribute a financial gift, to be directly contributed towards a Heritage RESP,” said Daryl Hatton, FundRazr chief executive.
See the full article --> here
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.
Fundrise Raising $50 Million for Real Estate Crowdfunding
TechCrunch by Katie Roff | November 18, 2015
Fundrise, the real estate crowdfunding site, is offering up to $50 million in shares to the public, for the launch of its online real estate investment trust.
This REIT will be used to invest in a diverse portfolio of commercial real estate properties including offices, apartments and shopping centers. The idea is that it will generate cash flow and will be paid out to investors in regular dividends.
Related: Get the 2015 Crowdfunding for Real Estate Industry Report
“Today is a massively historic day for the Fundrise team the result of over four years of work!” said Ben Miller, cofounder and CEO, in a statement. “Soon anyone in the country will be able to access the same investments as billion dollar institutional funds but with roughly 1/10th of the fees, heightened transparency, and low investment minimums of $1,000.”
Up until recently, only accredited investors, or high-net worth individuals, could buy shares in private companies or trusts. Dubbed a “mini IPO,” Regulation A+ opened up the doors to everyone, regardless of their income or assets.
View: Canada’s first crowdfunded real estate deal closes
Fundrise has a history of making it easier for ordinary investors to put money to work. Non-accredited investors can regularly invest in real estate by pooling money together, i.e. “crowdfunding.” Past projects have included World Trade Center 3.
While Fundrise says it was the first to enter the real estate crowdfunding space, there are other startups aiming to do something similar. Patch of Land, Cadre, Realty Mogul and RealCrowd all brand themselves as real estate crowdfunding.
Continue to the full article --> here
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.
NexusCrowd Announces Partnership with Downing Street Realty Partners for a $12 Million Industrial Real Estate Redevelopment Project
Marketwired | November 12, 2015
Online Investment Platform provides investors exclusive access to alternative, commercial real estate investments
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 12, 2015) - NexusCrowd Inc. ("NexusCrowd") today announced the launch of a new real estate redevelopment project on its online investment platform, and has partnered with Downing Street Realty Partners ("Downing Street"), a Toronto-based real estate investment manager and merchant bank. Downing Street is the lead investor for the $12 million project, which includes three industrial properties in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
The partnership will allow NexusCrowd to post exclusive investment opportunities that Downing Street is leading onto the NexusCrowd platform. NexusCrowd is the first investment platform in Canada to provide accredited investors with exclusive access to co-invest alongside institutional investors in deals that have reached at least 50% of their funding target. It also provides private equity firms with a "frictionless" way to raise new capital.
Related: NexusCrowd Closes Online Investment Offering for Canadian Real Estate Project
"We are extremely pleased to welcome Downing Street as a partner," stated Hitesh Rathod, CEO of NexusCrowd. "Downing Street has a long history of successful investment and management in the real estate development and redevelopment sectors. This partnership broadens our ability to offer high-quality investment opportunities to accredited investors with a reputable sponsor."
Real estate crowdfunding is experiencing explosive levels of growth. According to crowdfunding firm, Massolution, the market for real estate crowdfunding is expected to increase by 150 percent, equaling $2.57 billion in 2015, making it one of the fastest-growing industry segments of crowd capitalism.
View: Get the 2015 Crowdfunding for Real Estate Industry Report
"Partnering with NexusCrowd enables us to efficiently raise additional sources of capital, while leveraging the power of crowdfunding," said Marc Canale, a Partner at Downing Street Realty Partners. "Downing Street has an extensive track-record with redevelopment projects of this nature, and is pleased to partner with NexusCrowd to offer investors this latest opportunity."
About the Transaction
The redevelopment project includes three industrial properties; one in Mississauga, and two in Toronto, totaling 110,000 square feet. The properties have already been purchased by Downing Street, and redevelopment began over a year ago. The two Toronto properties with environmental contamination are currently being remediated. The expected completion date of the project is September 2016. The total cost of the project is $12 million, with NexusCrowd raising $500,000.
About NexusCrowd Inc.
NexusCrowd is the first investment platform in Canada that provides accredited investors with exclusive access to co-invest alongside institutional investors in deals that have reached at least 50% of the funding target.
NexusCrowd is led by a team with expertise in financial services, technology and institutional finance. It's the only investment platform in Canada with an exempt market dealer license that uniquely partners with institutions on equity and debt investments. Combined with proprietary investment and fundraising technology, NexusCrowd provides a simple, transparent process for accredited investors, and a frictionless way for private equity partners to raise new capital. For further information, visit www.nexuscrowd.com.
About Downing Street Realty Partners
Downing Street Realty Partners is focused on a range of real estate investment management and real estate merchant banking activities. Downing Street acts as both principals and independent advisors to its clients and offers investment, transaction and management expertise stemming from significant expertise in the real estate market as owners, intermediaries and asset managers. Downing Street strategically identifies and executes private market transactions, adding value to its clients across their real estate and investment needs while enhancing their risk adjusted returns.
Since its founding in 1986, Downing Street has acquired, repositioned and developed over 3 million square feet of residential, office, commercial and industrial properties in Ontario, as well as other provinces in Canada. Further information can be found at www.downingstreet.com.
Disclaimer:
This communication is not an offer to sell, or solicitation to buy, securities. Offers to sell, or the solicitations of offers to buy, any security can only be made through official offering documents that contain important information about risks, fees and expenses. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and should consult with a financial advisor, lawyer, accountant, and any other professional that can assist with understanding and assessing the risks associated with any investment opportunity.
NexusCrowd Inc. is a registered Exempt Market Dealer in the Provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario. NexusCrowd Inc. operates an online investment platform intended for Canadian investors who qualify under available exemptions pursuant to Canadian National Instrument 45-106. All offerings presented on the site are considered to be highly speculative and, as such, are suitable only for purchasers who are prepared to risk the loss of their entire investment.
CONTACT INFORMATION
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.
New crowdfunding platforms coming to the US
CNBC by Luke Graham | November 4, 2015
A European crowdfunding company will launch in the U.S. after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted new rules last week which will allow start-ups to sell equity to anyone.
Seedrs, the largest crowdfunding platform in Europe, announced this week it will start a beta test of its platform in the next couple of weeks. The test will allow investors to back a small selection of campaigns, and Seedrs will officially launch in early 2016.
Seedrs allows all types of investor to purchase shares in small, growing companies. The company claims to have funded over 270 companies since launching and raised £3.5 million ($5.38 million) on average per month.
View: Equity Crowdfunding Platform Seedrs Raises $15.6M To Launch In US
The SEC agreed to implement new rules from the 2012 JOBS act after a three year consideration. These rules remove the provision that new businesses can only sell equity to accredited investors – individuals worth $1 million or earning more than $200,000 a year.
This change will create a new source of finance for businesses and create more opportunities for people to save and invest.
"We believe this heralds the emergence of equity crowdfunding as a vibrant form of finance in the United States -- just as it has become in the U.K. and Europe -- and Seedrs is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the sector's growth," said Jeff Lynn, CEO of Seedrs, in a press release.
"The beta testing we are announcing will be our first foray into the market, and we look forward to growing our presence there significantly in 2016."
See also: The SEC’s new 685-page crowdfunding rules: What you need to know
In Europe, equity crowdfunding has been permitted for some time. Luke Lang, co-founder of U.K.-based platform Crowdcube, said it was "pleasing" that SEC had made progress on the JOBS Act.
Continue to the full article --> here
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 1100+ 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.
