Aspen Investment Forum

Aspen Investment Forum will bring together representatives of global investment and entrepreneurial community. The guests will learn from the experts about the latest developments in the industry and their options for raising funds or investing in early stage companies.

One and half day long program includes six panel discussions, keynotes and a cocktail reception. It also allows the participants enjoy their time on slopes. Aspen in the first week of a new year IS the place to be!

The passage of the JOBS Act signed by the President Obama on April 5th, 2012 has created new opportunities in the private investments industry. It has set up high expectations but also has created many concerns. The SEC is still finalizing “rules of the game” to make sure the new law wouldn’t create financial Wild West atmosphere for non-sophisticated investors.

First two panels of the Forum will examine “pros and cons” of crowdfunding from the standpoint of accredited investors, entrepreneurs and the general public. Other topics to be discussed at the Forum are a collaboration between established financial institutions and investor networks and “the crowd”, legal and tax aspects of private investments, alternatives to equity crowdfunding for entrepreneurs and innovators.

In spite of the slow development of the legal framework, last year was the time of many new developments in crowdfunding field, including the emergence of tens of new crowdfunding portals, interesting coalitions and entrance into the industry of established financial institutions and business angels’ groups.

While equity crowdfunding is still illegal in the United States, it is present in several European countries and Australia. The Forum guests will hear from founders of major international platforms about the crowdfunding practice around the world. Their experience should provide valuable insights about potential industry developments in the United States.

Among the Forum speakers are leaders of the largest online community of private investors AngelList, US equity crowdfunding platforms CircleUp, Early Shares and Rock the Post, business lenders from Kabbage and SoMoLend. The attendees will also meet representatives of the international equity crowdfunding organizations from UK, France, Netherlands and Australia as well as European Business Angels.

We have a limited number of discounted hotel rooms, so don’t wait until the last moment to reserve your spot!

January 6th

8-00am – 8-30am Registration

8-30am – 8-55am Keynote: “State of Private Investments”

9-00am – 9-50am First Panel: “Crowdfunding Pro and Contra” (from investors side – Crowdfunders, Business Angels, Financial Advisors)

10-00am – 10-50am Second Panel: “Crowdfunding Pro and Contra” (from business side – Business Incubators/Accelerators, SBA, Startups)

Break

3-00pm -3-30pm Showcase Open

3-30pm – 3-55pm Keynote: “Legal Framework of Private Investments”

4-00pm – 4-50pm Third Panel: “Equity Crowdfunding Portals in the US”

5-00pm – 5-45pm Fourth Panel: “Private Investments: Global Developments”

5-50pm – 6-15pm Keynote: “Role of Crowdfunding in the Investment Ecosystem”

6-15pm – 7-00pm Showcase Open

7-00pm – 8-30pm Cocktail Party

January 7th

8-30am – 9-20am Fifth Panel: “Alternatives to Equity Crowdfunding” (Rewards Based   Crowdfunding, DPO, Lending)

9-30am – 10-20am Sixth Panel: “Business of Crowdfunding” (Legal, CPA, Marketing, Technology)

10-30am – 11-00am Keynote: “Future of Entrepreneurship”