Equity Crowdfunding and Venture Capital Cross-Canada Tour Ignited by National Crowdfunding Association of Canada

TORONTO, May 16, 2014 /CNW/ - 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.

This represents a significant leap forward and positive progress for Crowdfunding advocates such as the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada), who have been working diligently with key industry stakeholders, government, regulators, media, eco-system partners and academia, since launching in October 2012, to provide education, research and valuable input into the development of a viable 'made in Canada' framework.

To foster crowdfunding awareness , education and to encourage participation in various provincial regulators request for comments on the proposed equity crowdfunding exemption, portal registration framework and general comments, the NCFA has announced a series of 'must attend' events in key cities leading the way for Canada to become a world class crowdfunding centre.  To learn more about emerging equity crowdfunding regulations and to participate in the formal public comment process, please visit http://ncfacanada.org/.

Event Wrap-up:  Successful NCFA Toronto Kick-off Event Held on April 16, 2014 to Sellout Crowd:  Igniting Entrepreneurship and Capital Flow in Ontario

On April 16, 2014, the NCFA kicked off a cross-canada tour to ignite venture capital and entrepreneurship in Toronto to a sellout crowd held at the Ontario Investment and Trade Centre.  This timely and on-topic event was co-hosted with the City of Toronto, and provided an engaged audience with four curated perspectives including a regulatory briefing of the proposed new equity crowdfunding exemption in Ontario and portal registration framework, legal issues, investment opportunities, and portal perspectives.  This successful event brought together a diverse range of expert speakers to discuss key topics who delivered substantive content that fueled open forum questions and extended the event well into networking time.  Distinguished panelists included Jim Turner, Vice Chair Ontario Securities commission OSC, Gerard Buckley, Chairperson, Maple Leaf Angels Corporation and Managing Director, Jaguar Capital Inc., Jos Schmitt, Chief Executive Officer, Aequitas Innovations, and John Wires, Founder of Wires Law.  View NCFA Toronto event pics and a follow-up post by Gerard Buckley here.

Upcoming NCFA Canada Equity Crowdfunding Events

Vancouver, May 21, 2014: Igniting Venture Capital in BC:  Expert Panel on New Equity Crowdfunding Opportunities (more info).

This event is co-hosted by the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada and the Vancouver Economic Commission and sponsored by FundRazr, Canada's leading Crowdfunding Portal that has raised in excess of $50 million, and Optimize Capital Markets, Canada's longest running equity crowdfunding portal,  to be held from 8:00am - 11:00am (PST) in Vancouver at the Delta Suites (Innes Thompson room).  Join us and our premier panel of industry, eco-system, technology, innovation, legal, regulatory, portal and provider experts to discuss key views and insights on Crowdfunding exemptions enabling businesses to raise venture capital in BC.

Premier Panel:

Bill Tam - BC Technology Industry Association

Paul Geyer, CEO, LightIntegra Technology and Chairman, Neovasc

Alixe Cormick - Venture Law Corporation

Leslie Rose - BC Securities Commission

Jonathan Bixby - GrowLab

Ian G. McKay - Vancouver Economic Commission

Daryl Hatton - FundRazr

Matthew McGrath - Optimize Capital Markets

Tickets are limited.  For more information on how to register, please visit
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/igniting-venture-capital-in-bc-expert-panel-on-new-equity-crowdfunding-opportunities-tickets-11482864557

=========================================================

Saskatoon, May 28, 2014: Leading the Way - Saskatchewan's Emerging Equity Crowdfunding Environment (more info).

This event is hosted by the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce and Presented/sponsored by the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada, Financial Consumer Affairs Authority, McKercher LLP, IndieInk Publishing, University of Saskatchewan Industry Liaison Office, and Square One.

Saskatchewan is the first and only Canadian province to have approved an equity-crowdfunding specific exemption from securities law to raise capital, and on May 28^th will launch its first marketplace and equity crowdfunding portal. As Canada's entrepreneurial hot spot, Saskatchewan leads the way in this newest niche in the financing continuum.  If you're an entrepreneur seeking capital, an angel investor interested in equity crowdfunding, or a service-provider wondering how the equity Crowdfunding industry might benefit you, this is the event to attend.

Featured Speakers:

Special Guest: Alixe Cormick (Venture Law Corp., Vancouver)

Dave Wild (Chair, FCAA)

Les Schaevitz (Owner, New Equity Portal)

Chris Masich (McKercher LLP)

Wayne Watts (Liquid Capital Corp.)

Blair Knippel (Deloitte/Saskatchewan Capital Network)

Tickets are limited.  For more information on how to register, please visit
http://ncfacanada.org/event-saskatchewan-may-28-2014-leading-the-way-emerging-equity-crowdfunding-environment/

=========================================================

About the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada
The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is Canada's Crowdfunding Advocate.  Newly formed, dynamic and inclusive, the NCFA Canada works closely with industry groups, government, academia, other business associations and affiliates to create a strong and vibrant crowdfunding industry and voice across Canada.  Membership is comprised of a network of professional individuals, companies and non-profit associations (students are most welcome) interested in crowdfunding markets in Canada and beyond.  The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada is a networking and solutions-based organization to provide advocacy, education, support and leadership to Canadian crowdfunding communities. For more information please visit www.ncfacanada.org.

SOURCE: National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada)

Craig Asano
National Crowdfunding Association of Canada
Executive Director
[phone]
www.ncfacanada.org
[email protected]