Igniting Venture Capital in BC: Expert Panel on new Equity Crowdfunding Opportunities

Event Hosts:

The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada in partnership with the Vancouver Economic Commission.

Sponsored by:

Event Details:

May 21, 2014

8:30am (PST) – 11:00am (PST)

Delta Vancouver Suites (Innes Thompson room)

550 West Hastings Street,Vancouver, BC V6B 1L6 (map)

Member Registration is $25 + (non-members $35)

Tickets are limited. Registration opens from 8:00 am (PST)

Event Hashtag: #NCFALIVE

Event Overview:

The crowdfunding industry is exploding with entrepreneurs, investors, portal operators, third party service providers and experts from around the world who are all jockeying for position to take advantage of a promising and brand new fundraising channel for small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs). (read more). On March 20, 2014, the BC Securities Commission (BCSC) published for a 90-day public comment period a new prospectus exemption – The Startup Exemption – modeled on regulations introduced in Saskatchewan Dec. 2013. This Crowdfunding specific exemption would allow early stage companies such as start-ups and small-to-mid-size enterprises (SMEs) to raise up to $300,000 of capital annually through the issuance of securities online while maintaining an appropriate level of investor protection. How does crowdfunding apply to other exemptions like OM or the proposed one for Existing Securities Holders? We have assembled a premier panel of industry, legal, investment and regulatory experts to bring forth and highlight key views and insights.

Topics include:

• Regulatory briefing: What are the proposed regulations, timeline and next steps?
• What are the challenges of our current capital raising markets and what solutions are coming?
• Are we doing enough collectively as a 360 eco-system to remain competitive in today’s global markets?
• How will crowdfunding spur business and economic growth, employment and innovation?
• Do these regulations provide significant protections for investors?
• What are the legal issues and proposed solutions that revolve around Crowdfunding transactions?
• Market pulse: what is happening on the ground in the Crowdfunding industry? (Issuers, investors, portals, and providers)
• Q&A feedback on BC’s Crowdfunding exemption proposal

Agenda:

8:00 am Registration opens

8:30 am Session Kick-off

8:35 am Presentations

10:35 am Q&A Discussion (Open forum)

10:55 am Networking

Speakers:

Bill Tam

President & CEO, BC Technology Industry Association (BCTIA)

Bill Tam has been an entrepreneur and advisor to startup technology companies for over 20 years. In 2010, he joined the BCTIA as a mentor with Centre4Growth, advising a wide-range of technology firms. Prior to BCTIA, Bill was the CEO of EQO Communications and a Partner at SpringBank TechVentures, where he led investments in software and wireless. Additionally, Bill has held many senior executive positions. Bill is currently Chairman of the Board at Colligo Networks, an advisory council member at the University of British Columbia’s Electrical and Computer Engineering department, and a board member of BC Bioenergy Network.

Alixe Cormick

Founder, Venture Law Corporation

Alixe is the founder and CEO of Vancouver-based legal firm, Venture Law Corporation and is an Advisory member for the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada. Alixe has assisted over 150 companies listing on stock exchanges and trading board in North America. She is a recognized and active thought leader on exempt securities and crowdfunding. She is also an active Angel Investor.

Paul Geyer

CEO, LightIntegra Technology and Chairman, Neovasc

Paul Geyer is currently CEO of LightIntegra Technology, a firm that has developed ThromboLux technology which is used as a point of care device to determine platelet quality for blood transfusions. Paul is also Chairman of Neovasc , a company that develops medical devices for the rapidly growing vascular and surgical marketplace. Paul received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and in 1999, and was named one of the ‘40 Under 40 Award Winners’ for the top business people in BC by Business in Vancouver. In addition to various board positions, including many years of service on the Board of Science World, Mr. Geyer is an active Angel investor in technology and life science companies and was recognized as the BC Angel Investor of the Year in 2010.

Jonathan Bixby

Executive Director, GrowLab

Jonathan is a serial entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in starting, leading and growing technology companies. Jonathan is currently the Executive Director of GrowLab and is a Business in Vancouver Top 40 Under 40 award recipient. Jonathan Bixby was the CEO and a co-founder of Strangeloop Networks. Under Jonathan’s leadership, Strangeloop raised over $21M in financing and was acquired by Radware (RDWR) in February. Prior to forming Strangeloop, Jonathan co-founded IronPoint Technology, the largest content management company in the country.

Ian G. McKay

CEO, Vancouver Economic Commission

Ian Gerard McKay was appointed CEO of the Vancouver Economic Commission in September 2013. Prior to this appointment, Ian served as the National Director for the Liberal Party of Canada from March 2010 to May 2013. Ian has led a distinguished career as an executive in international financial markets, as well as a political advisor to federal cabinet ministers. Ian has extensive financial market experience with firms such as EuroBrokers, Ueda Butler, Cantor Fitzgerald, and ICAP Capital Markets Inc. Ian’s works with the VEC to broaden and strengthen economic activity in the city of Vancouver.

Daryl Hatton

CEO, FundRazr

Daryl Hatton is founder and CEO of FundRazr, one of the top 10 brands in the burgeoning global crowdfunding market according to Forbes magazine. Daryl has founded multiple start-ups and helped bring one, Optio, to a successful NASDAQ IPO in 1999. He actively serves as board member or advisor to multiple other start-ups in BC and Silicon Valley. In 2013 FundRazr won a Technology Innovation Award as Most Promising Startup by the BC Technology Industry Association and was included in the Profit Magazine Hot 50 as one of the fastest growing startups across all industries in Canada.

Leslie Rose

British Columbia Securities Commission

Leslie Rose is Senior Legal Counsel in the Corporate Finance Division of the British Columbia Securities Commission. In the 14 years she has worked at the Commission, she has participated in many policy projects, particularly concerning capital raising exemptions, continuous disclosure obligations for venture issuers, and take-over bid requirements. She is the Chair of the CSA Prospectus Exemptions Committee. Leslie was called to the BC Bar in 1995. Before joining the Commission, Leslie practiced corporate finance, securities and corporate/commercial law primarily for public companies.

Matthew McGrath

CEO/Founder, Optimize Capital Markets

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™ 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.

Who should attend this event?

This event is for financial professionals, crowdfunding industry stakeholders, issuers, investors, portals and dealers interested in staying on-top of the proposed Crowdfunding exemption regulations in British Columbia and providing feedback directly to the BCSC. JOIN THE DISCUSSION!

Registration opens from 8:00am (PST)

Event kick-off at 8:30am (PST) sharp!