Opinion

June 29, 2016 @ 8:05 am By Nathan Rose and Simon Douw  |  

Companies chronically underestimate how much time and hard work is involved in running an equity crowdfunding campaign. It’s often only after they get some way down the track that they realise what is involved, and it’s natural to feel overwhelmed and look for help. In… Read More

June 28, 2016 @ 1:29 pm By JD Alois  |  

UK business Secretary Sajid Javid held a business roundtable today with various business leaders to gauge and calm the sentiment for the economy in light of the recent Brexit decision. Javid stated the fundamental facts remain unchanged; “The UK is still a member of the… Read More

June 27, 2016 @ 9:04 am By JD Alois  |  

Kuber Ventures, an investment firm that targets EIS/SEIS opportunities, has released a statement on the Brexit fallout. While global markets react to the intrinsic risk associated with the Brexit decision, Kuber sees a silver lining. According to Kuber; “The vote on Friday for the UK… Read More

June 27, 2016 @ 7:30 am By Samuel Guzik  |  

  When it comes to capital formation for SME’s through federal legislation, one can usually count on the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) to do their best to block or narrow any new paths which Congress or the SEC may seek to create.  The… Read More

June 26, 2016 @ 4:03 pm By JD Alois  |  

The United Kingdom has been at the forefront of Fintech innovation. While there are many reasons for the UK playing a lead role in new forms of finance several variables may be distilled from the list. First, the country is very supportive of an entrepreneurial/market-based… Read More

June 24, 2016 @ 4:21 pm By JD Alois  |  

Reg CF, or Title III of the JOBS Act of 2012, is the portion of the law that legalizes retail investment crowdfunding. The new securities exemption was largely designed to provide access to capital to those small companies that are most challenged in finding sufficient… Read More

June 24, 2016 @ 8:35 am By JD Alois  |  

As the world continues to wonder what exactly the Brexit means for the UK and global economies, alternative finance leaders are jumping in with their perspective. Property  Partner, a prominent real estate crowdfunding platform, is circulating a note on the decision to depart Europe. Daniel Gandesha,… Read More

June 22, 2016 @ 6:25 pm By JD Alois  |  

      History will be made tomorrow (June 23, 2016) as the United Kingdom will decide whether to remain, or depart, the European Union. Popularly called the “Brexit” (or Bremain), if the UK departs the second largest market in the world will take an… Read More

June 22, 2016 @ 12:04 am By JD Alois  |  

Everybody’s Doing It. The State Bank of India (SBI) is the most recent government controlled financial entity that is embracing the Fintech rush. According to multiple reports, India’s largest bank has created a $30 million fund to help startups in the financial sector. The fund… Read More

June 17, 2016 @ 4:57 pm By Bret Conkin  |  

As I wrote last week, Yemani Mason is the founder and CEO of a new real estate crowdfunding platform called VestMunity. He is an innovator offering a hub for regular folks to access investment opportunities previously out of reach, in this case, the rehabilitation and… Read More

June 16, 2016 @ 9:12 pm By JD Alois  |  

HR 4855, or the Fix Crowdfunding Act, was approved by the House Financial Services Committee on a solidly bipartisan vote of 57-2.  The bill, sponsored by Congressman Patrick McHenry, was created in response to multiple shortcomings intrinsic to existing Title III or Reg CF investment… Read More

June 16, 2016 @ 9:33 am By Oscar Jofre  |  

I’ve been in Shanghai and Hong Kong quite often over the last few months, speaking at events and meeting with partners. As a Canadian, what struck me most is scale. There is outstanding potential here, and that in itself isn’t at all surprising; but for… Read More

June 15, 2016 @ 9:32 am By JD Alois  |  

Yesterday the United States Court of Appeals, DC Circuit, denied a case challenging the Securities and Exchange Commission and their rules under Title IV of the JOBS Act, otherwise known as Reg A+. The enjoined case brought by the states of Montana and Massachusetts saw… Read More

June 14, 2016 @ 7:50 am By Karmei Tse  |  

This is interesting. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), a typically conservative government agency, has just released its proposal regarding raising capital online, including a guide on General Solicitation with examples for restricted and unrestricted platforms.  MAS has waved its digital wand over the private… Read More

June 13, 2016 @ 6:51 pm By JD Alois  |  

Testing the Waters, or TTW as it is called, is being successfully leveraged during Reg A+ crowdfunding campaigns. The concept is pretty simple.  For issuing companies that want to raise capital online, using TTW allows them to gauge investor interest.  Investors may register with a… Read More

June 13, 2016 @ 10:35 am By JD Alois  |  

The White House organized a Fintech stakeholder meeting last week to discuss how “Fintech can help advance critical economic policy priorities.” Even while a plethora of regulatory agencies is circling to put the breaks on Fintech innovation, it is somewhat encouraging the Executive branch of… Read More

June 12, 2016 @ 5:19 pm By JD Alois  |  

Embedded below is another comment letter regarding a bill circulating now on Capitol Hill called the Fix Crowdfunding Act (HR 4855). The proposed legislation, sponsored by Congressman Patrick McHenry, was crafted to fix some the most glaring omissions from Title III of the JOBS Act…. Read More

June 12, 2016 @ 4:39 pm By Alessandro M. Lerro  |  

Despite their obvious engagement capacity, crowdfunding projects in the performing arts still have a very low average deal size. While smaller projects such as personal exhibitions, books and documentaries are often successfully funded, grand theaters and organizations don’t use crowdfunding as a financing tool. Only… Read More

June 12, 2016 @ 1:36 pm By Eve Picker  |  

Title III of the JOBS Act, aka “Regulation Crowdfunding,” is now here. Enacted on May 16th, the rules make equity crowdfunding a reality for both accredited and non-accredited investors looking to invest in small businesses and buildings. Yet before the rules have even had a… Read More

June 11, 2016 @ 10:00 am By JD Alois  |  

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held its first in a series of forums on Fintech this past week.  At the top of the list was the marketplace lending sector. Marketplace lending, originally labeled Peer to Peer lending, has been a hot topic within the financial… Read More