Politics, Legal & Regulation

May 28, 2014 @ 8:50 am By JD Alois  |  

 Is Crowdfunding Part of the New Foreign Policy? The US Ambassador to Armenia, John A. Heffern, was recently interviewed (Video) about the importance of crowdfunding – specifically in Armenia. Now the tidal wave of crowdfunding – both investment based and donation based – is still… Read More

May 27, 2014 @ 10:17 am By JD Alois  |  

The Australian Small Scale Offerings Board, otherwise known as ASSOB, has been a recognized trailblazer of sorts in the investment crowdfunding world.  The platform has raised over $138 million for more than 300 small companies over the past few years.  ASSOB has been an oft… Read More

May 27, 2014 @ 8:15 am By Richard Swart  |  

After more than two years of waiting, the news from Capitol Hill is not good.  The JOBS Act was a political compromise passed by Congress in 2012 due to several layered political agendas. Unfortunately, the provisions of the JOBS act, as enacted in Title III,… Read More

May 24, 2014 @ 1:46 pm By JD Alois  |  

Startups and small companies are the engine of economic growth.  Fast growing companies demand an ecosystem that recognizes their importance to the economy and society as a whole. According to recent Eurostat data GDP rose in Europe (EU 28)  only 0.1% in 2013 – this… Read More

May 22, 2014 @ 3:14 pm By JD Alois  |  

The StartUp Europe Crowdfunding Network has published their final report on fostering a conducive crowdfunding environment in Europe to help entrepreneurs.  The report pinpoints the demand  for engendering a professional, transparent, and consistent environment so both investors and entrepreneurs may view crowdfunding as a viable… Read More

May 21, 2014 @ 5:10 pm By JD Alois  |  

Andrew Ceresney, Director of the Division of Enforcement at the Securities and Exchange Commission, gave a speech today at Compliance Week in Washington, DC.  While there isn’t too much special in talking about enforcement because that’s exactly what the SEC spends quite a bit of time… Read More

May 21, 2014 @ 7:49 am By JD Alois  |  

Just last week Crowdfund Insider was sharing an article by Attorney Tom Sharbaugh on how many states have found a way to go ahead with crowdfunding without the delay and burdens involved with the Federal crowdfunding exemption.  This week we have another attorney, Anthony Zeoli, who… Read More

May 20, 2014 @ 10:52 pm By JD Alois  |  

The California assembly has passed their intrastate crowdfunding exemption.  The bill was passed unanimously on the assembly floor on Monday, May 19th.  According to the California Legislative information 75 representatives voted for the bill with 4 “no votes recorded”.  This success matches the reception the… Read More

May 19, 2014 @ 2:02 pm By JD Alois  |  

As reported last month, Texas is another state that is marching towards having their very own intrastate equity crowdfunding exemption.  As the final rules for Title III retail crowdfunding continue to be delayed, Texas has moved a step closer by publishing their  proposed rules in… Read More

May 19, 2014 @ 7:30 am By JD Alois  |  

Sure the deadline has passed for comment letters regarding Title III of the JOBS Act or Regulation CF as some now call it. But as will happen – they continue to trickle in while the staff at the SEC ruminate on how final rules should… Read More

May 16, 2014 @ 8:30 am By Tom Sharbaugh  |  

The new crowdfunding provisions in the “Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012” (which is often referred to as the “JOBS Act of 2012”) have received a lot of attention: Title III of the Act exempts certain crowdfundings from the registration requirements of the federal… Read More

May 15, 2014 @ 10:33 pm By JD Alois  |  

Announced by the European Commission last month, the deadline for applications for participation in the European Commission informal expert group or “European Crowdfunding Stakeholder Forum (ECSF)” deadlines tomorrow May 16, 2014. As previously reported the Commission is looking to select members for this group on crowdfunding, in… Read More

May 15, 2014 @ 1:44 pm By JD Alois  |  

SEC Chair Mary Jo White took another trip up to Capitol Hill yesterday – this time visiting the Senate side where she once again explained her case for funding needs for the SEC.  If you are interested in watching the recorded hearing you may hop… Read More

May 14, 2014 @ 10:00 am By JD Alois  |  

In less than two weeks of their self-crowdfunding campaign, MayOne has surpassed the $1 million amount raised by thousands of supporters.  Capitalizing on the profound frustration of many with the endemic problems intrinsic to the US political process, the project has easily raised this amount… Read More

May 14, 2014 @ 8:04 am By JD Alois  |  

The Spanish government has admitted their mistake in capping amounts investors may contribute to crowdfunding campaigns.  The law originally place a  € 3000 limit per project or a  €6000 limit per year for all investors.  Now “professional” or accredited investors with an annual income of  €100,000 or more… Read More

May 13, 2014 @ 7:15 am By JD Alois  |  

It is being reported that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom is going to offer clarification  regarding the difference between “online guidance services” and regulated investment advice.  The report from the FCA is expected to be published next month.  The forthcoming report… Read More

May 12, 2014 @ 5:21 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

Great news for entrepreneurs in Wisconsin, starting June 1st anyone in America’s Dairyland will be able to buy small amounts of stock in businesses through online portals that register through the state. This will allow business owners to easily turn to their community to raise… Read More

May 11, 2014 @ 4:02 pm By JD Alois  |  

At the inaugural conference of the Equity Crowdfunding Alliance of Canada (ECFA Canada) held last month a panel was organized to tackle the proposed crowdfunding exemptions by the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC).  Presently the proposed rules are in a commenting period where interested parties are allowed… Read More

May 10, 2014 @ 9:23 am By JD Alois  |  

The Crowdfund Intermediary Regulatory Advocates (CFIRA) recently posted a comment letter on the SEC web site regarding JOBS Act implementation.  The comment letter was in direct response to the recommendations provided by the Investor Advisory Committee (IAC) who recently met – reviewing their requests for… Read More

May 7, 2014 @ 10:28 pm By JD Alois  |  

Assembly Bill 2096 by Al Muratsuchi has entered into the process of potentially becoming law in the State of California.  The bill was scheduled to be heard in the Assembly appropriations committee today.  The investment crowdfunding exemption could put California on track to give their… Read More