The European Crowdfunding Network (ECN) announced they were holding their annual convention in Paris earlier this year but the crowdfunding advocate group has recently shared additional details on the forthcoming event.
The ECN is a professional network promoting adequate transparency, (self) regulation and governance while offering a combined voice in policy discussion and public opinion building. Founded in 2011 as an interest group, the ECN is incorporated as an international not-for-profit organisation in Brussels, Belgium. The Crowdfunding industry is the “fastest growing financing source for Small and Medium Businesses in the World”, claiming an estimated value of just under €1 
billion in Europe alone for 2012. The ECN, an early supporter of crowdfunding, recognizes that it is a major, “long term wave” that will redefine how things get funded as part of the “collaborative economy”.
The ECN maintains a mission of helping to develop professional standards, providing industry research, as well as, professional networking opportunities in order to facilitate interaction between members and key industry participants. The ECN has an established relationship with public institutions and stakeholders as well as the media at European, international and national levels.
The ECN Crowdfunding Convention will take place over 2 days on December 11th and 12th. The venue will be the former Bank of Union Parisienne on Boulevard Haussmann near the center of Paris in the 9th arrondissement. While final details of the schedule are still pending topics such as; Opportunities for expanding crowdfunding across Europe, Regulation and Customer Protection, plus The Future of Crowdfunding – are all expected to be covered.
ECN Chairman and Executive Director, Oliver Gajda was quoted earlier this year on the forthcoming event;
“…We hope to be able to build on this positive momentum and encourage exchange of best practices amongst crowdfunding professionals, policy makers and regulators, as well as stakeholders focusing on aspects such as customer protection, culture, innovation and capital markets.”