Thrice is Nice as NCFA Canada kicks off Annual Canadian Crowdfinance Summit

Focus on "Innovation Finance" set to draw Fintech Trailblazers from across the country

TORONTO, Feb. 8, 2017 /CNW/ - The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) today kicked off its third annual Canadian Crowdfinance Summit (CCS2017), taking place in Toronto, February 28 and March 1, 2017.

The Summit is Canada's largest national event covering online funding, fintech, and alternative finance markets. The gathering provides the most comprehensive thought leadership, education, networks, funding and investment opportunities to over 500 participants in Canada's rapidly growing fintech crowdfinance industry.

"The Summit has grown significantly each year since launching in 2015 and provides an international platform where delegates can really network at deep levels with industry leaders, strategic partners, investors, regulators and vendors," said Craig Asano, Founder and Executive Director of NCFA Canada. "Collectively, these emerging markets are going to have an increasingly important role in financial services and impact on the Canadian tech, small business and innovation economy."

This impact is already evident: Canadian markets reported a total funding volume of $133 million in 2015, and when the numbers are all in, are predicted to have grown to $190 million in 2016. Despite these increases, Canada is still punching below its weight compared to international markets. A recently published study benchmarked the online alternative finance industry in the U.S. at $36 billion in 2015.

"Canada's numbers are significant, but as we can see from international comparators, the potential is practically limitless in this space," said Asano. "These innovators are not only helping to grow the economy; they're creating jobs, spurring growth in start-ups and scale-ups, and providing investment opportunities for those who were previously shut out from such ventures. We're witnessing the dawn of a new economic phenomenon that is rapidly changing how consumers and businesses aggregate, transfer, store and invest capital privately."

CCS2017 aims to accelerate this phenomenon with an expanded event; due to substantial growth and enthusiastic participant feedback, this year's conference will be expanding to add an additional half day program for fintech platforms to showcase and demo services to investors.  Day two will feature the annual full-day thought leadership and pitching showcase Summit with all the keynotes and 'bells and whistles' that participants have come to expect.

The summit will be comprised of 75 of the foremost leaders in the fintech crowdfinance industry, including prominent speakers from UK, US and Hong Kong, on stage in front of over 500 entrepreneurs, growth companies, investors, tech providers, media, regulators and other key stakeholders. Collectively, the industry is striving to accelerate the commercialization and value of these new technologies in the Canadian economy.

This is a not to be missed Summit focused on fintech & funding….Want to be part of the future? Register at crowdfundingsummit.ca. 

About the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada
The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a national 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 1500+ 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.  For more information please visit ncfacanada.org.

SOURCE National Crowdfunding Association of Canada

For further information: Media Contacts: Craig Asano, Executive Director, NCFA Canada, p. 1 (416) 618-0254, e. casano@ncfacanada.org