Opinion

May 2, 2015 @ 9:25 am By JD Alois  |  

SEC Commissioner Kara Stein participated in the U.S. Treasury Department’s Corporate Women in Finance Symposium last week where she delivered a speech tackling creating a stronger economy and creating healthy companies.  The topic of the day was “Opportunities for Investment, Innovation, and Growth through Technology and Corporate… Read More

May 1, 2015 @ 11:18 am By JD Alois  |  

MIT Sloan Assistant Professor Christian Catalini has targeted his research on the economics of innovation, entrepreneurial finance and crowdfunding.  Catalini is part of an elite few academicians who are analyzing the emergent investment crowdfunding space, so when he shares his findings, and associated perspective, it is… Read More

April 30, 2015 @ 10:25 am By James A. Jones  |  

A fintech-focused SDIRA newcomer who embraces technology will likely obsolete present-day providers Don’t get me wrong. Self-Directed IRAs are the greatest thing since sliced bread. They allow us to dramatically diversify our retirement portfolios with the asset classes typically reserved for the wealthy: real estate,… Read More

April 29, 2015 @ 10:36 am By JD Alois  |  

The European Crowdfunding Stakeholders Forum, created in 2014 comprised of a diverse group of stakeholders in the emergent crowdfunding sector, met last month in Brussels. Unfortunately for those unable to attend these gatherings are not live-streamed (something we compliment the US SEC on doing). There… Read More

April 28, 2015 @ 11:45 pm By JD Alois  |  

Indiegogo’s second most-funded campaign of all time has taken more twists and turns than one could imagine. From improbable crowdfunding mega-hit, delivered by a Californian surfer, to questions, controversy and accusations of contractual fraud.  Perhaps it is time for a touch of disbelief. The Storm eBike, quickly… Read More

April 28, 2015 @ 3:56 pm By Erin Hobey  |  

“… the American market should be much easier for European platforms: one law, one interpretation and ca. 320 million customers. A perfect opportunity for scaling up the business.” The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the US government and the European Commission will have multiple… Read More

April 28, 2015 @ 7:55 am By Erin Hobey  |  

“Banks are at a huge disadvantage with their high salary bills and antiquated technology systems, peer to peer offers an innovative, simple and better result which costs customers less. That said, I also predict huge opportunities for banks and peer-to-peer lenders to continue to work together… Read More

April 27, 2015 @ 11:38 pm By JD Alois  |  

The CFA Institute seeks to lead investment professionals around the globe promoting high standards in ethics and professional excellence. The organization claims over 130,000 members in 147 different countries.  As the traditional financial industry plods along, new forms of finance have leveraged technology to innovate… Read More

April 27, 2015 @ 9:07 am By JD Alois  |  

Canaan Partners, one of the Sandhill Road posse in Silicon Valley, is a VC firm that has moved big into the alternative finance space. With over $4.2 billion under management they have the fire power, and the tool kit, to move quickly into promising, early stage… Read More

April 24, 2015 @ 12:14 pm By Bret Conkin  |  

The consumer loan experience is getting an upgrade in Canada courtesy of some new players that are targeting the long waits and paperwork hassles of traditional loans and the high rates of alternative providers like payday loans.  Experience in other markets like the US and UK… Read More

April 23, 2015 @ 9:40 am By Anthony Zeoli & Kiran Lingam  |  

They say that there is no such thing as bad press but I am not so sure that I agree with that statement. While this may be the case for the Kardashians, I don’t think the same holds true for the crowdfunding/P2P lending industries. In… Read More

April 22, 2015 @ 9:25 am By Erin Hobey  |  

Last fall I interviewed FlashFunders Co-Founder Vincent Bradley to learn more about his newly launched, no-fee equity funding platform.  In the months following, Bradley and his team have stewarded startups and streamlined their process. The platform recently reached a major milestone: closing a major round… Read More

April 21, 2015 @ 11:39 pm By JD Alois  |  

April 15th was not only the dreaded federal tax deadline day, but it is also the date that Jackie Robinson played his first professional baseball game and the day Abe Lincoln died. It also happens to be the date (this year) that SEC Chair Mary Jo… Read More

April 21, 2015 @ 11:42 am By JD Alois  |  

Alphaworks, the equity crowdfunding sibling of Betaworks, has rebranded as Quire, launching a redesigned site adding new features for users. Alphaworks has launched several, highly curated, equity offers in past months. The platform allows the crowd to join alongside professional investors / VCs to invest… Read More

April 21, 2015 @ 9:58 am By JD Alois  |  

The European IPO report recently published a report that was delivered to the European Commission as part of the discussion on the Capital Markets Union. Three associations came together as part of this IPO task force to create the document advocating change in the EU…. Read More

April 21, 2015 @ 8:30 am By Rodrigo Niño  |  

In the 19th century, there were 11 cities with over 1 million inhabitants.  Today there are over 500 cities around the world where the population stands above 1 million.  There are over 7 billion souls on this planet and this number is predicted to grow… Read More

April 20, 2015 @ 12:45 pm By Barry James  |  

Is this the start of a new trend – or even a new phase – in crowdfunding? Might it be another step in rewards crowdfunding ‘coming of age’ in the UK? It’s certainly getting noticed as the route of choice to seed a startup. In… Read More

April 20, 2015 @ 9:08 am By Dara Albright  |  

I’ve always said that you can gauge the success of an industry by the growth and enthusiasm of its annual convention. It’s also a great barometer of market peaks and bubbles – especially when you have the chance to really get into the psyche of… Read More

April 17, 2015 @ 1:17 pm By JD Alois  |  

  Prosper President Ron Suber delivered an extremely well received keynote address at the LendIt conference held in Manhattan this past week.  Over 2400 attendees converged from around the globe to discuss the future of finance, one where banks are on the decline and peer to… Read More

April 17, 2015 @ 8:00 am By JD Alois  |  

“Regulators should allow new firms to operate, generate data on the outcomes created by novel business models before writing new rules.” Larry Summers, former Secretary of the Treasury under President Clinton and Director of the National Economic Council under President Obama, delivered a rousing speech… Read More