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
Gander Social Nears $1.5M as Canadians Invest in Canada
Equity Crowdfunding | Oct 31, 2025
Image: Gander Social via FrontFundr equity crowdfunding campaign
Gander Social’s Fast Funding Raise Reflects Canadians Investing in National Digital Independence
On October 24, 2025, Gander Social, a Canadian alternative to foreign-owned social platforms, announced that they surpassed $1 million raised from more than 1,595 investors in its initial private community phase, exceeding their target in just over a week. Then on October 30, the company announced in a release that they are opening the campaign up to the public on FrontFundr, inviting Canadians across the country to join its growing base of community owners.
See: CSA Proposes $50K Harmonized Self Certified Investor Exemption
The campaign has now raised almost $1.2 million and is targeting $1.5 million and continues to grow rapidly through organic participation and word-of-mouth sharing, demonstrating the strong appetite for Canadian-built platforms and the expanding role of equity crowdfunding in mobilizing retail investors, especially at a time when early stage venture funding channels are under pressure.
Canadian Platform with Purpose
Led by Ottawa-based longtime creative director turned founder CEO Ben Waldman, Gander Social is built by a small team of Canadian engineers and creators who want to give people a trustworthy alternative to ad-driven social media. The company is structured as a Public Benefit Corporation, showing its commitment to long-term public accountability rather than short-term profit. Waldman described the movement behind Gander as “more like a call to arms,” a push to rebuild online spaces around community ownership and digital sovereignty.
BenWaltman, CEO Gander Social:
“We’re not seeking venture capital, foreign funding, bombarding you with ads, and we’re not going to sell your data. We’re inviting you to become co-owners of Gander with us. The world is screaming for an alternative, so we’re building it with Gander Social right here in Canada.”
Wave of Investment Patriotism
By setting a minimum investment of $255, Gander is making participation accessible to everyday Canadians. The campaign reinforces the growing “keep it in Canada” mindset that prioritizes domestic ownership, ethical innovation, and sustainable platform design. Investors are not just looking for returns but they want to help define the kind of digital economy they want to see in Canada.
See: H1 2025 Global Fintech Funding Slows, Some Sectors Firing
As Canada feels the geopolitical pressures, across the country investors are embracing equity crowdfunding to participate directly in the innovation economy and keep growth capital in Canada. It’s a model that strengthens community engagement while advancing national competitiveness and financial inclusion.
Conclusion
For policymakers and fintech advocates, Gander’s raise demonstrates how equity crowdfunding can mobilize citizens to fund nationally significant ventures. It shows how financial innovation and digital sovereignty can align to strengthen Canada’s independence, resilience, and competitiveness in a global tech landscape increasingly defined by foreign control. Learn more about the Gander Social campaign here.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create aa vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Canada Renews $189M Black Entrepreneurship Program
Funding | Oct 22, 2025
Image: Freepik
Ottawa Renews $189M Program to Support Black Entrepreneurs
On October 20, 2025, the Government of Canada announced a renewed investment of $189 million in the Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP), continuing its commitment to helping Black entrepreneurs start, scale, and strengthen businesses nationwide. The announcement was made in Toronto by the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), as part of Small Business Week.
Expanding Access to Capital and Opportunity
The BEP was first launched in 2021 to expand access to capital, mentorship, training, and data for Black business owners. Since then, it has supported more than 24,000 Black entrepreneurs across Canada, while the Loan Fund has delivered over $70 million in approved financing through 801 loans.
See: RemitHope Mobilizes Diaspora Giving for Impact
With this new five-year commitment running from 2025 to 2030, the program will continue supporting inclusive economic growth through three core pillars: the Loan Fund, the Knowledge Hub, and the Ecosystem Fund.
Strengthening Research and National Networks
Under the renewed investment:
- $105.4 million will be allocated to regional development agencies to expand the Ecosystem Fund, broadening community coverage and business support.
- $7.5 million to the Knowledge Hub to strengthen research and improve the availability of high-quality data on Black entrepreneurship in Canada.
- $67 million will be directed to the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund, managed by the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE) in partnership with the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), providing loans of up to $250,000 to eligible business owners.
Minister Valdez highlighted that empowering Black entrepreneurs contributes to job creation, innovation, and community development across the country.
“The strength of Canada’s economy comes from the talent and tenacity of our people. When Black entrepreneurs can access capital, mentorship and reliable data, they turn ideas into jobs and community prosperity,”
The renewed program will also continue supporting the federal government’s Black Justice Strategy by addressing systemic barriers and advancing anti-racism efforts through economic participation. By deepening collaboration between government, lenders, and ecosystem partners, the initiative aims to strengthen Canada’s inclusive business landscape and ensure equitable access to opportunity for Black entrepreneurs nationwide.
In Closing
The renewal of the Black Entrepreneurship Program reflects Canada’s commitment to inclusive growth and aligns with NCFA’s work to expand access to capital and opportunity. Through the Canada Africa Fintech Summit, NCFA and its partners promote collaboration between Canadian and African innovators, helping entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses and strengthen economic ties. The program’s focus on capital, research, and networks supports the same goals driving NCFA’s efforts to advance a fair and competitive financial innovation ecosystem.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create aa vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Cohere Picks Paris as New EMEA Hub For Enterprise AI
Canadian AI Growth | Sep 18, 2025
Image: Freepik
Paris Becomes Cohere's European Anchor, Challenging Enterprise AI Competitor Mistral
On September 15, 2025, Canadian Enterprise AI leader Cohere announced the official opening of a new Paris office to serve as its headquarters for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). The company expects to have 20 employees on the ground by the end of September and plans to double that number within a year. Roles include business and policy leads working alongside existing research, engineering, safety, and product teams.
See: Canada Invests $240M in Cohere for AI Data Centre
The expansion also introduces an incoming VP of EMEA, set to start October 1, and the appointment of Stéphanie Finck Piccin as Head of EMEA Public Policy after more than a decade of experience shaping technology policy at Salesforce.
Why France Was Chosen
Cohere’s CEO Aidan Gomez in Reuter's coverage (subscription required) described Europe as showing “renewed momentum” in AI adoption and said he was “super confident” in the strength of France’s ecosystem. He emphasized, France’s role as a centre for digital sovereignty, its supply of technical talent, business advantages, and its connection to regional markets made it the natural choice.
“Cohere is extremely well-positioned to meet the growing demand of sovereign and secure AI from businesses and governments, and we’re excited to have boots on the ground to better collaborate with our new and existing partners and customers in the region. We’re looking forward to contributing to France’s AI ecosystem and drawing from the pool of incredible local talent here as we grow.”
Infrastructure Tailwinds and Competitive Pressure
France is expanding its AI capacity through large scale infrastructure investment. In February 2025, Brookfield and Data4 announced a €20 billion program to expand AI infrastructure in France through 2030. The plan includes approx €15 billion for new data centres and the remainder for chip storage, connectivity, and renewable energy. Additional detail on the technical buildout was reported by DataCentreDynamics
See: Canada Risks Falling Behind as UK Lands AI Megadeals
While Cohere Brookfield’s investment program as a direct factor in its Paris HQ decision, but the timing and focus align. Sovereign compute and new energy-backed data centres reduce deployment risks for enterprise AI providers. By opening in Paris, Cohere positions itself close to these assets while strengthening its pitch to regulated sectors.
Cohere is in direct competition with Mistral who recently raised €1.7 billion at a valuation of €11.7 billion. Mistral has a head start as Europe’s homegrown AI unicorn and is also targeting large enterprises. Both companies target large enterprises with secure AI tools and local control of data. Mistral’s European roots give it credibility with regional buyers, while Cohere brings its Canadian foundation, global partner base, and enterprise focus into the market.
Cohere’s Paris leadership team is designed to influence policy as well as drive growth. With Finck Piccin leading public policy and a new VP of EMEA focused on partnerships, the company aims to work directly with regulators and governments overseeing AI rules. This positions Cohere to integrate secure AI systems into finance, insurance, and public services where compliance and auditability are critical.
Outlook
The key milestones will be whether Cohere meets its hiring goals, wins major European clients in banking, secures government endorsements, and forms partnerships tied to France's data sovereignty and infrastructure build out.
See: Canada’s Opportunity In Efficient Reasoning AI
If successful, the Paris hub could become a cornerstone for enterprise AI in EMEA and strengthen Canada’s position in the global AI race.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create aa vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Wealthsimple Acquires Fey to Power Nextgen Trading
M&A | Aug 28, 2025
Image: Fey is joining Wealthsimple
Wealthsimple Strengthens Trading with Fey’s AI Powered Research Tools
On August 27, 2025, Wealthsimple announced the acquisition of Fey, a Montreal-based investment research startup founded in 2021 that built its reputation on elegant design and advanced AI trading tools. The financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed but it puts Wealthsimple in a position to offer millions of Canadians an enhanced trading experience, bridging the gap between simple apps and a more complex brokerage platform.
Wealthsimple now serves more than 3 million clients and manages over $84 billion CAD in assets, a 94% increase from the previous year. Earlier in 2025, Wealthsimple acquired San Francisco based platform Plenty, a wealth management platform for couples, as part of its strategy to expand capabilities and scale faster.
From Design Studio to Acquisition
Fey emerged from the Montreal design studio Narative, founded by Thiago Costa, Dennis Brotzky, Thomas Russell, and Mack Mansouri. The team built Fey strategically with early venture backing from Maple VC, Inovia Capital, Yuri Sagalov of Wayfinder, and Abhinav Tiwari of Blank Ventures. Instead of a splashy launch, Fey garnished trader feedback on an invite-only access basis, which helped them refine features such as natural language stock screening, real-time earnings summaries, and a personalized news feed. Features that will soon become part of WS's self-directed investing platform.
See: The Finfluencer Effect on Canadian Retail Investors
As reported by BetaKit, Fey’s co-founders Costa, Brotzky, and Russell will join Wealthsimple’s self-directed investing group, and the Fey platform will shut down by September 30, with subscribers being refunded for any remaining balances.
What Fey Brings to Wealthsimple Users
For Wealthsimple’s 3 million clients, here's a look at how the integration of Fey's platform design and features will turn complex investing workflows into intuitive actions:
- AI chatbox like experience where investors can query stocks using natural language instead of navigating complex menus, making screening faster and more accessible
- Fey delivers instant earnings updates, alerts and summaries, keeping traders informed ahead of key market events
- If brokerage accounts can't be linked, traders can still (manually) sync their portfolios giving users access to live performance tracking, S&P comparisons, and personalized insights
- Access to integrated research, such as live pricing, peer analysis, financials, analyst estimates, and insider trades are all brought together in one clean interface
Read: AI’s Double-Edged Sword of Retail Investing
On Reddit, an early user described Fey as providing “a much nicer UI, the ability to sync portfolios across institutions, and quick access to key metrics when I didn’t have time to dig for them”.
Why It Matters for Canadian fintech
Wealthsimple is aiming to create an all-in-one financial platform covering investing, trading, crypto, tax filing, and everyday banking services. Adding Fey’s research and design-first tools will help attract a younger generation of investors while strengthening its position against traditional brokerages and newer fintech challengers.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Trusty Raises $1M to Modernize Estate Planning
Financing | July 22, 2025
Image: Freepik/Drazen Zigic
Trusty Secures $1M to Help Families Organize and Share Legacy Wishes Using AI
On July 15, 2025, Toronto-based Trusty announced it has raised $1 million in pre-seed funding to expand its AI-powered estate planning platform. The round was co-led by Relay Ventures and Graphite Ventures, with support from Mistral Venture Partners and several angel investors.
With more than $84 trillion expected to be passed down over the coming decades across North America, many families still rely on handwritten Letters of Wishes, which are easy to lose and often lack context. Trusty updates this with a modern digital experience that works alongside legal wills and estate documents.
See: Robinhood’s WealthTech Push and Lifestyle Finance
Trusty helps families record and organize assets, share intentions, and reduce inheritance related conflicts that can happen when estate planning lacks clarity. The app uses artificial intelligence to detect and categorize valuables, interpret documents, and store messages for loved ones.
Randy Frisch, founder and CEO of Trusty:
“Wills do not tell the whole story, and the gaps from misplaced assets and unclear intent create confusion and conflict. Trusty makes it easy to share your wishes clearly and securely, so families are brought together, not apart.”
Trusty is also forming partnerships with financial institutions, estate planners, and advisors. One early partner is Purpose Unlimited, which is exploring how to offer Trusty to its financial advisor network.
Closing
Outdated estate planning hasn't kept pace with digital life, causing families stress, uncertainty, and disputes.
See: Fintech Opportunities in Wealthy Retired Boomer Markets
Trusty is using AI to help individuals clarify their intentions and give heirs the guidance they need. This early investment is aligned with the broader push to make wealth transfer easier, more transparent, and human.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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AuCan Launches $2.5B Tokenised Gold RWA Platform
Tokenization RWA | July 22, 2025
Image: AuCan Gold Inc
Toronto’s AuCan Gold Launches A Tokenised Gold Platform Backed by Real Bullion and Blockchain
On July 22, 2025, Toronto-based AuCan Gold announced the launch of a US$2.5 billion real world asset tokenised gold platform in partnership with TheBlock. The platform offers accredited investors secure digital access to institutional-grade gold held in regulated Swiss vaults and issued on blockchain infrastructure.
Blockchain Infrastructure and Compliance Model
The platform runs on Polygon and uses Chainlink Proof of Reserve to confirm that token supply always matches the amount of gold in custody. Tokens are automatically minted and burned to reflect real time vault balances.
Each token is backed one to one with Good Delivery gold bars stored by global security firm Loomis. Vault holdings are audited monthly and verified using tamper-evident NFC chips and real time blockchain tracking. The platform is registered in Zug and structured to comply with Swiss and EU financial regulations.
See: Chainlink Unveils Collaborative Digital Asset Sandbox
TheBlock is handling token issuance and liquidity infrastructure, and a digital asset exchange listing is expected by the fourth quarter of 2025. All components are designed to meet institutional standards for auditability, custody, and legal clarity.
Tokenised Gold and the Rise of Real World Assets
Global interest in real world asset tokenisation is rising fast. A joint report by BCG and ADDX projects the RWA token market could reach US$16 trillion by 2030. Gold is among the earliest and most adopted asset classes in this trend, with tokenised offerings already launched by Paxos, Tether, and Meld Gold. AuCan sets itself apart through its full physical backing, real time transparency, and strict regulatory standards in Canada.
Closing Thought
AuCan’s tokenised gold platform shows how Canadian companies can build real products that meet international standards and offer value to global investors. As demand grows for stable, transparent assets in uncertain times, tokenised models like this one could become part of everyday finance.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Bitcoin Treasury Corp Files Preliminary $300M Prospectus
Canadian Crypto | July 18, 2025
Image: Freepik
Bitcoin Treasury Prepares for $300M Raise as Canada's First Bitcoin-native Public Company
On July 17 2025, the Bitcoin Treasury Corporation (TSXV: BTCT) announced that they have filed a preliminary CAD $300 million base shelf prospectus, a sign that it intends to operate as a public company providing institutional Bitcoin services. The filing allows the company or certain shareholders to raise capital through securities such as common shares, debt, or warrants over the next 25 months, pending regulatory approval. While no offering is currently planned, the filing provides flexibility to act when strategic opportunities arise.
See: What Bitcoin Pizza Day 2025 Still Teaches Us 15 Years Later
The company describes itself as Canada’s first Bitcoin-native public company, focused on creating value through Bitcoin-denominated financial services and strategic accumulation. CEO Elliot Johnson says the goal is to grow its Bitcoin per share (BPS) metric, which is central to their long-term strategy. In short, BTCT wants to be the Canadian MicroStrategy which has used corporate reserves to accumulate over 200,000 BTC.
Bitcoin Treasury is aiming to build a business around bitcoin as a treasury asset and institutional product. Its current services include Bitcoin loans, and its positioning in Canadian public markets makes it a pure play for those seeking exposure to Bitcoin in equity portfolios.
Unlike Bitcoin ETFs that passively hold BTC, such as CI Galaxy Bitcoin ETF (BTCC), Purpose Bitcoin ETF (BTCX) or 3iQ CoinShares Bitcoin ETF (BTCQ), Bitcoin Treasury has a business model and currently provides services like Bitcoin-denominated loans and is developing a scalable platform to monetize and deploy Bitcoin strategically. So it combines Bitcoin exposure with active financial operations that focuses on capital markets, treasury efficiency, and lending BTC itself.
Other Canadian public companies such as LQWD Technologies (TSXV: LQWD, just raised $2.3 million CAD to buy more Bitcoin) are active in the Bitcoin space but have distinct business models. LQWD focuses on payment routing and infrastructure for the Lightning Network.
Outlook
The prospectus is available through the company’s Sedar Plus profile and doesn't represent an offering but it positions the company to respond quickly if an opportunity arises. For institutional investors and fintechs tracking crypto adoption in Canada, Bitcoin Treasury’s approach could become a reference point.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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