Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Karsten Wenzlaff is a Crowdfunding and Fintech Expert from Germany. He is Secretary-General of Digit[...]
Category Archives: Press Releases
Scott Loong Joins National Crowdfunding Association of Canada Advisory
NCFA Canada | Posted on April 29, 2013
TORONTO, ON April 29, 2013 – The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) today announced that Scott Loong, an associate with Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, has joined the Association’s advisory.
Scott Loong practices Business Law at the Montreal office of Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, one of Canada’s largest and most well respected law firms. His primary practice groups are M&A, Private Equity, and Corporate Finance. He has experience working with large financial institutions but has also provided counsel to start-up businesses in both early and late (post revenue) stage development. This practice has included corporate organizations, private placements, angel equity financings, convertible debentures and secured convertible loans. In addition to obtaining his civil and common law degrees at McGill University, Scott completed a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) at the Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University.
Craig Asano, Executive Director of NCFA Canada said, “Scott’s participation in NCFA Canada is a positive signal as we expand our reach and diversity across the country. He will provide members with a Quebec legal perspective on crowdfunding and also complement our existing Ambassadors, the Seeding Factory, in the region.
I have been following the crowdfunding movement across the country since the JOBS Act was announced last April 2012, and I am an enthusiastic supporter of the start-up community in Montreal. I look forward to participating in NCFA Canada initiatives and hope to contribute to the advancement and success of this exciting and emerging new industry, said Scott Loong.
About the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada
The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a newly formed cross-Canada non-profit with the mandate to be inclusive in providing education, advocacy and awareness in the emerging crowdfunding industry. NCFA Canada is community-based, membership-driven entity that was formed at a grass-roots level to fill a national need in the market place. Members are industry stakeholders (portals, experts, service providers, and enablers), small businesses and entrepreneurs using crowdfunding to fund their initiatives, and investors seeking to learn more and connect with a dynamic and growing crowd. For more information please visit ncfacanada.org.
Source: National Crowdfunding Association of Canada
For more information please contact:
Media Contact
Craig Asano
NCFA Canada
Executive Director
p. (416) 618-0254
e. casano@ncfacanada.org
# # #
Brock Murray Joins National Crowdfunding Association of Canada Board
NCFA Canada | Posted on April 18, 2013
CEO of Joi Media, makers of Katipult, brings perspective of Canadian crowdfunding platform to voice of the crowdfunding industry in Canada
TORONTO, ON and Calgary, AB April 18, 2013 – The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) today announced that Brock Murray, CEO of Joi Media, makers of the Katipult white label crowdfunding software, has joined the Association’s board of directors.
Brock is the Chief Executive Officer of JOI Media, an award-winning software development firm based in Calgary providing enterprise software solutions and related services across the private, public and social sectors. JOI Media has been an active participant in the crowdfunding space since 2009 and has developed Katipult, a leading proprietary Crowdfunding platform for both small and large enterprises and nonprofit organizations seeking an out-of-the-box solution, amongst its product offerings.
Craig Asano, Executive Director of NCFA Canada said, “We’re very pleased to welcome Brock to the board of directors and JOI Media/Katipult to the association. Katipult is a leading provider of out-of-the-box and customized crowdfunding software solutions in Canada. They bring a tremendous amount of marketing and technology expertise to the table and will no doubt provide valuable insights and input as we collectively grow a strong and vibrant crowdfunding industry in Canada”.
Brock Murray, CEO of Joi Media said, “We recognize the strategic value and future opportunities that NCFA Canada is working hard to provide for members and participants in the emerging crowdfunding industry. We are pleased to support NCFA Canada, Canada’s national crowdfunding hub, and have committed a platinum level of sponsorship to assist the organization financially as it continues to grow and develop Canada’s crowdfunding landscape on all fronts. As founding sponsors, we look forward to participating as leaders in the industry and rolling out a series of educational and awareness programming and networking event opportunities”.
About the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada
The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a newly formed cross-Canada non-profit with the mandate to be inclusive in providing education, advocacy and awareness in the emerging crowdfunding industry. NCFA Canada is community-based, membership-driven entity that was formed at a grass-roots level to fill a national need in the market place. Members are industry stakeholders (portals, experts, service providers, and enablers), small businesses and entrepreneurs using crowdfunding to fund their initiatives, and investors seeking to learn more and connect with a dynamic and growing crowd. For more information please visit ncfacanada.org.
About Katipult
A product of JOI Media, Katipult is the leading software solution for enterprises and nonprofits in need of an out-of-the-box Crowdfunding platform. Katipult is a robust, secure and scalable crowdfunding software that can be tailored to suit all crowdfunding needs. This white label solution supports all crowdfunding frameworks including donation, reward, and equity-based crowfunding. Chose Katipult crowdfunding software to (1) save significantly on the upfront costs and time of in-house development; (2) eliminate the risks of vendor/project management; and (3) receive a flexible service agreement that covers A-Z. For more information, please visit www.katipult.com.
About JOI Media
JOI Media is an award-winning software development firm. We specialize in enterprise software for optimizing day-to-day operations, streamlining decision-making and driving profitability. In addition to our proprietary software products, JOI also provides custom software development services. Headquartered in Calgary, Canada with locations across three continents, JOI Media is a global leader in enterprise software and software related services. We work with incredible organizations across the private, public and social sectors. For more information, please visit www.joimedia.com.
Source: National Crowdfunding Association of Canada
For more information please contact:
Media Contact
Craig Asano
NCFA Canada
Executive Director
p. (416) 618-0254
e. casano@ncfacanada.org
# # #
Anges Québec concludes a partnership with National Bank
Anges Québec | April 17, 2013
Quebec City, April 16th, 2013 – Anges Québec is pleased with the new partnership concluded with the National Bank to support entrepreneurship and innovative Quebec companies. Under the three-year partnership, the two organizations will provide entrepreneurs with their combined expert advice to optimize the success of businesses supported by members of Anges Québec.
François Gilbert, CEO of Anges Québec, said: “We’re very pleased that a large economic institution like the National Bank is teaming up with our network. This is a vote of confidence in the system that we set up to support Quebec companies, and it’s also recognition of the importance of the work accomplished by our members, who invest time and money in the businesses that they believe in. NBC shares our vision and our desire to favour entrepreneurship and development of businesses. Entrepreneurs will certainly benefit from this association, which strengthens our network.”
This partnership is part of the National Bank’s desire to encourage business development by guiding businesses through the startup phase. To this end, Jacques Deforges, Senior VicePresident, Commercial Banking and International, said: “In 154 years, the National Bank has participated in the foundation and growth of thousands of businesses. It’s among the architects of Québec Inc. and remains a partner of choice for businesses of all sizes. In this regard, it’s natural for the Bank to team up with Anges Québec, since their networking model offers significant economic leverage for local businesses.”
About Anges Quebec
Anges Québec is a network of 120 private investors that identifies, finances and coaches innovative Quebec companies with high growth potential. Anges Québec members invest their capital and expertise in the most promising startup companies. In this capacity, Anges Québec works closely with key Quebec organizations interested in the development and growth of technological innovations.
For more information, go to www.angesquebec.com
To keep track of news and activities, join Anges Québec on LinkedIn.com.
Source:Anges Québec
François Gilbert
CEO
fgilbert@angesquebec.com
418-261-0011
Source: here
JOI Media Announces the Public Release of its Proprietary Crowdfunding Software Under the Name Katipult
PRWeb | JOI Media | April 4, 2013
JOI Media Inc announced the public release of its proprietary Crowdfunding software (http://www.katipult.com),a white-label solution for enterprises and non-profit organizations in need of an out-of-the-box Crowfunding Platform.
On April 2, 2013 JOI Media Inc announced the public release of its proprietary Crowdfunding software to serve as a white-label solution for enterprises and non-profit organizations in need of an out-of-the-box Crowfunding Platform. The software will be released under the name ‘Katipult’ (http://www.katipult.com), which is the same name that the company previously hosted a community of non-profit fundraising campaigns.
The company is marketing the product as a way to save significant upfront costs, minimize project and vendor risk, and enjoy a flexible service level agreement. “Whether you’re a startup business of a well-established charity needing to host thousands of fundraising campaigns simultaneously, Katipult will work for you” said Brock Murray, a managing partner at JOI media.
JOI Media expects its latest product offering to bring a spotlight to Canada’s tech industry, as attention in the United States intensifies on the JOBS Act, short for Jumpstart Our Business Startups, which gives the ability for the general public to receive company equity in exchange for funding. It is expected the Crowdfunding landscape will continue to change rapidly with new technologies and giving trends.
The company is touting its Katipult software as a way to streamline the development of any Crowdfunding system including:
- Donation Based Crowdfunding: Contributions go towards a charitable cause.
- Reward Based Crowfunding: Investors receive a tangible item or service inreturn for their funds.
- Equity Based Crowdfunding: Investors receive a stake in the company
“We make it easy to create and launch a custom system that truly meets your business and technical requirements. Choose a model type, select the features you want, and we’ll take care of the rest” said Murray.
JOI Media expects its Katipult product to contribute materially to its revenue growth in 2013.
Source: here
Crowdfunding Ambassadors Unite
NCFA Canada | March 15, 2013
NCFA Canada Launches - Crowdfunding Ambassadors Program
TORONTO, ON March 15, 2013 – The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) has recently launched a nation-wide Ambassadors Program aimed at recognizing, supporting and unifying crowdfunding leaders across the country through collaborative events, education and resource sharing initiatives.
With a rapidly evolving and expanding crowdfunding industry, there is a great need for peer to peer collaboration in the areas of research, education and advocacy working together to establish best practices.
Who are CFAs?
Crowdfunding Ambassadors (CFAs) are leaders, educators, supporters and advocates of an inclusive and broad-based crowdfunding industry in communities across Canada. They are circles of influence for small businesses and investors to connect with, share and learn about crowdfunding via locally hosted events and initiatives. CFAs are plugged into an international network of shared resources, thought leadership, and industry stakeholders cultivating the future of crowdfunding in Canada.
All members of NCFA Canada are eligible to be considered for the Ambassadors Program. As the program and industry move forward, we will recognize top Ambassadors at a national event for their contributions, such as affecting social change, build communities of crowdfunding practice and supporting innovation and entrepreneurship through crowdfunding frameworks.
NCFA Welcomes New Ambassadors
NCFA Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of Bruno Rakotozafy and Heri Rakotomalala (co-founders of the Seeding Factory) to NCFA Canada’s Ambassadors Program. They are avid crowdfunding promoters and organizers of local events and meet-ups in Quebec. Their current initiative is hosting ‘Crowdfund Night #2’ event on March 21, 2013 at Centre Saint Pierre, in the heart of Montreal.
“NCFA Canada is a community-based, membership-driven organization that is ideally suited to help connect a relevant national network of crowdfunding professionals through its Ambassadors Program”, said Craig Asano, Founder and Executive Director of NCFA Canada.
Source: View release
LX Ventures Acquires Weeve.it Crowdfunding Platform
Reuters Marketwire | February 14, 2013 - 08:30:00 AM
LX Ventures Acquires Weeve.it Crowdfunding Platform
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Feb. 14, 2013) - LX Ventures Inc. (TSX VENTURE:LXV) ("LXV" or the "Company") and Weeve Ventures Inc. ("Weeve") are pleased to announce that they have finalized an asset acquisition agreement in which LXV will acquire all of Weeve's assets including their crowdfunding platform Weeve.it.
Since its launch in July 2012, Weeve has helped dozens of nonprofits by providing a simple and effective platform to increase their fundraising efforts, making it easier to raise funds as compared to traditional fundraising methods. Weeve's platform currently enables nonprofits to tap into a new crowd of socially-conscious and tech-savvy individuals. Weeve was featured in the major press including TechVibes, TechCrunch, The Digital Journal and The Huffington Post. Weeve was named as one of the "top 6 coolest companies to watch" by The Metro and described as the startup "set to disrupt nonprofit fundraising" by The Digital Journal.
LX Ventures plans to take Weeve's sophisticated crowdfunding framework and repurpose it for use in other industries that are ready for disruption.
"Weeve's crowdfunding technology is a natural fit for our FinTech market vertical. Together, we will internally innovate and deliver revolutionary funding solutions across multiple market sectors," said Ray Walia, COO of LX Ventures.
Alex Chuang, Co-founder and CEO of Weeve, said, "We couldn't be more thrilled to join forces with LX Ventures. With LX Ventures accelerating our growth with their business intelligence, we can continue to innovate and take crowdfunding to new heights."
About LX Ventures
LX Ventures is a publicly traded technology incubator that launches, integrates, and acquires early stage high growth technology companies. We are a group of entrepreneurs dedicated to developing the next generation of entrepreneurs by providing funding, resources, mentorship, and access to our global network. We are in the business of building businesses. Our approach is twofold: we either partner with existing companies to assist with distribution and scaling or we internally innovate from idea generation through to launch and exit. For further information about LX Ventures, its technology, collaborations and partnerships, please visit: www.lxventures.com.
Resources and Links:
Weeve website
LX Ventures website
Vancouver's Weeve is the World's First Crowdfunding Platform That Doesn't Take a Cut
Source: here
Event New Brunswick (Nov 27, 2012): Emerging crowdfunding trend to be explored at upcoming event
New Brunswick Securities Commission (released Nov 13, 2012)
FREDERICTON (GNB) – A panel discussion exploring crowd funding as a way to raise equity capital for business will take place from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27, at the Wu Conference Centre, 6 Duffie Dr., University of New Brunswick, Fredericton.
The New Brunswick Securities Commission is hosting the event as part of its Fullsail capital markets development initiative.
"We know this is a hot topic, and we want to be ahead of the curve in Canada as we evaluate the implications of crowd funding on the regulation of our capital markets," said David Barry, chair of the commission. "It is important that we provide a venue and actively participate in this discussion to ensure that our dual mandate of balancing capital markets development and investor protection is integrated."
Potential investors, entrepreneurs considering raising capital, professionals, business consultants, economic development officers, academics and students are invited to participate. Panelists will provide various viewpoints on the current landscape of crowd funding and potential models that could benefit New Brunswick businesses as well as considerations from an investor's perspective.
The panel will include leading experts on the topic:
● Norm Betts representing the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance;
● Peter Klohn, partner at Stewart McKelvey;
● Brian Koscak, chair of the Exempt Market Dealer Association of Canada; and
● Jake van der Laan, director of enforcement at the commission.
Biographies of each panel member are online.
"These panelists represent many points of view, and each brings expertise that will open the eyes of participants," said Barry. "We hope this discussion is just the beginning as we work our way through the benefits and cautions of what may be the newest form of raising capital in North America."
The afternoon will begin with an introduction to crowd funding by Devashis Mitra of the University of New Brunswick. Nancy Mathis, executive director of the Wallace McCain Institute at the university, will moderate the panel discussion and will encourage audience questions.
This event is open to the public and provided free of charge. Pre-registration is required and may be done online.
As an independent provincial Crown corporation, the New Brunswick Securities Commission oversees the capital markets in New Brunswick and regulates those that sell or manage securities. The commission's mandate is to protect investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices, and to foster fair and efficient capital markets and confidence in capital markets.
Source: here
