Dentons Canada LLP 77 King St. West Suite 500 Toronto, ON M5K 0A1 Canada
We are at capacity! Please register for the waitlist - if a ticket becomes available, you will be contacted automatically with further instructions on how to purchase your ticket. Thanks for your patience.
This is a half day workshop + networking that covers essential equity crowdfunding education for issuers, investors and all other parties interested in understanding equity crowdfunding rules, transactions, international best practices and investment perspectives. Learn from and interact with active practitioners in crowdfunding markets including platforms (dealers), investors, attorneys, accountants and marketing experts. This workshop is designed for those interested in or actively engaged in the process of raising equity capital online through the issuance of securities.
8:30 AM
Registration, Continental Breakfast and Networking
8:55 AM
Welcome and Introductions
9:00 AM
Angel and VC Investment Perspectives, Funding Options
9:30 AM
Active Issuer, Equity Crowdfunding Platform, Online Marketing
10:00 AM
Regulations, Legal and Compliance in Canada and US
10:30 AM
Networking Break
10:45 AM
Risks & Challenges (what not to do) | Best Practices (What to do)
11:15 AM
Accounting, Tax, Financial planning
11:45 AM
Q&A Discussion
12:00 PM
Networking until close
Equity Crowdfunding Overview
Current Status of Equity Crowdfunding in Canada
Equity Crowdfunding Investment Considerations
Craig Asano, Founder and Executive Director, NCFA Canada
Craig has amassed over 15+ years of experience as a marketing strategist, software technologist and start-up entrepreneur in technology, finance, manufacturing and real estate sectors. He is a leader, advocate and development professional of interactive web, data, CRM, campaign management, BI and marketing automation and new venture development projects. He is actively involved in developing the Canadian Crowdfunding industry at a grass-roots level connecting with industry stakeholders, crowdfunding leaders and key participants across the country. He has has spearheaded multiple programs and initiatives such as the inaugural 2015 Canadian Crowdfunding Summit, National Ambassadors outreach program, and NCFA Canada’s advocacy efforts to advance equity-based Crowdfunding regulations in Canada.
Jason Saltzman practices corporate finance and securities law, with an emphasis on securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital transactions, as well as all other aspects of corporate and securities law. Jason works with both established and emerging companies world-wide, primarily in the mining, technology, life science, cleantech (including renewable energy, water tech and ag tech), industrial, mid-tech and digital media and entertainment sectors. He assists issuers, investment dealers, and institutional and private investors on complex equity and debt financing transactions, ranging from start-up investments, venture capital and private equity investments, to larger public offerings and project finance.
Marc Mandel is a transactional lawyer and a member of Dentons' Corporate practice and its Intellectual Property and Technology practice. He represents domestic and international enterprises at all stages of growth in financing transactions, joint ventures, acquisitions and divestitures, and in protecting and leveraging intellectual property. In all areas of practice, he focuses on providing practical advice and distilling complex areas of law into actionable strategies.
Dan is a Senior Manager with BDO in the Assurance and Advisory group. He is an accountant and trusted advisor dedicated to helping clients achieve their goals. Dan has over 8 years of experience dealing with a wide range of technology and manufacturing companies and specializing in the areas of business advisory services, growth strategies, tax planning, corporate structuring, strategic and succession planning, cash flow analysis and audit services.
Alexandra Hardy is a Chartered Accountant and Partner with BDO in Waterloo. With over 18 years of experience in the area of accounting and auditing, operational analysis and financial management, she is a professional advisor to many owner-managers in various industrial sectors including technology, professional services and distribution. Alex is a member of BDO’s National Technology and Life Sciences Group and is the leader of the regional team representing the sector. Alex has a large client base consisting of numerous technology clients at various stages of development.
Following on a 12 year career at the RBC Financial Group, Matthew McGrath successfully launched the Optimize Financial Group™ 4 years ago with offices now in both Toronto and New York City. Optimize Capital Markets™ (The OCMX) is building the Largest Institutional Crowdfunding Marketplace in North America where Institutional and Accredited Investors can discover and trade in Private Investment Opportunities. Typical deals include Infrastructure Projects, Large Real Estate Developments, and Proven Technology Companies. Since launching out of Toronto in September of 2009, Optimize Capital Markets™ has since expanded its operations to include Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia.
Yuri Navarro is a strategy consultant with more than eight years of experience working with government and businesses in the Ontario technology sector. In his role as Executive Director, Yuri brings his unique mixture of public and private sector experience to help expand NACO’s role as the leading organization representing Canadian Angel Investors with industry and government. Yuri has presided over the renewal and growth of the National Angel Capital Organization since 2012 by focusing on the organization’s value to stakeholders and supporting the growth and professionalization of Canada’s Angel asset-class with resources, best practices and research.
Mr. Kaipio began his capital markets career in 2001 in Corporate & Investment Banking at Scotia Capital. Since then he has held corporate finance, institutional sales, institutional trading, research, and investment management positions at investment banking, merchant banking, and hedge fund companies. Mr. Kaipio graduated with First Class Standing from the Honours Bachelor of Commerce program at Lakehead University and from the Master in Business Administration program at the Richard Ivey School of Business at The University of Western Ontario.
Sean Stanleigh is Managing Editor of the Globe Content Studio at The Globe and Mail, overseeing all of the company's commercial content. He has an extensive background in journalism as an editor in a variety of disciplines, including national, foreign and local news, as well as small business. Sean is co-founder of The Entrepreneurship Society, a networking group for high-growth business owners, and he volunteers his time as a mentor and adviser for several non-profit organizations.
Carlos is an accomplished, compliance, governance and risk management professional with over 25 years of extensive experience in the financial services industry, including futures, options, retail compliance, LCM, SOX, credit, operational risk management, anti-money laundering, privacy regulations and successful business solutions. Carlos has had previous roles as a Director and VP at CIBC, Deutsche Bank AG, Alpha ATS, and BMO InvestorLine Inc., as well as been a guest speaker at a variety of industry related events. He has also been instrumental in the development of regulatory regimes and groundbreaking industry initiatives.
Frank Sinopoli has served as a Director and CEO of Coupgon since July 2012. Mr. Sinopoli is responsible for the operations of the company with a focus on providing retail stores, brands and shoppers with an agile mobile application for digital coupons. Prior to that, Mr. Sinopoli founded minggy.com, a B-to-C platform that allowed customers to tender tasks to the market without the need to search for service providers while providing real leads in real time to local businesses. Mr. Sinopoli also started a transportation company in 2007, Ranger Moving Systems, which he sold in 2012. Mr. Sinopoli has won numerous sales and business development awards.
David Shore's experience prior to OurCrowd includes roles in venture capital and equity research. As the Managing Director of Terracap Ventures, Mr. Shore developed the firm's overall corporate strategy. He also served as Head of the Technology Group for Mackie Research Capital in the Equity Research department covering Software & Media sectors. Mr. Shore was consistently ranked as a leading technology analyst (software) in Canada, and prior to joining Mackie Research Capital worked at leading financial institutions, including Desjardins, CIBC World Markets, and First Marathon. His operational experience includes roles as CFO at several startups including Cavet and Beam Networks. He also sits on the Advisory Board of the Canadian Innovation Exchange. Additionally, Mr. Shore was a board Director at Sarda Technologies and Helix Medical Systems and recently joined The Next 36 as an advisor.
1. Learn Market Insights and Opportunities from Industry Experts: Global crowdfunding, fintech and alternative finance markets continue to grow rapidly playing a significant role in mobilizing capital and resources to help launch and scale new ventures, social enterprises, small businesses and high growth SMEs. Has crowdfunding reached an industry tipping point (read UK Crowdcube founder's perspective here)?
2. Discuss Regulatory Changes: The Canadian crowdfunding industry is poised for growth with 6 provinces recently adopting the new Start-up Exemption (see ‘Canadian Securities Breakthrough’), a financing instrument aimed at enabling start-ups and available to both new crowdfunding portals and existing Exempt Market Dealers (EMDs):
3. Essential Education and Networking: Learn best practices including 'what not to do' from current case studies and expert practitioners. Discuss your questions with experts and peers. Connect with peers that can assist your company to tap into emerging capital raising, marketing, financial/business planning and infrastructure services and opportunities.
View our previous events here.
Click to view the Inaugural 2015 Canadian Crowdfunding Summit: Infographic | Post event report