In this episode of Fintech Fridays, host Craig Asano sits down with Marcia Dawood, an influential angel investor, author, and advisor who serves on the SEC's Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee. Marcia shares her journey from her first angel investing meeting to becoming a key figure in the industry, supporting over 50 early-stage companies. The conversation dives into the differences between angel investing and venture capital, strategies for successful investments, and the evolving landscape of early-stage investing. Marcia also discusses her new book, Do Good While Doing Well, which guides readers through the balance of achieving financial returns while making a positive impact. Tune in to hear expert insights, the importance of fostering diverse investment ecosystems, and how new investors can start their journey with confidence. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ncfa.substack.com

In this enlightening episode of Fintech Fridays, Season 4, Episode 62, Craig Asano, CEO of NCFA Canada, sits down with the distinguished Sherwood 'Woodie' Neiss, a pioneer in the investment crowdfunding industry and an advisor to NCFA. Together, they delve into the evolution of investment crowdfunding, its impact on startups and investors alike, and the potential for future growth. Woodie shares his journey, from the inception of crowdfunding regulations to leading the charge with data-driven insights and AI technology in investment strategies. Listeners will gain an insider's perspective on the latest developments, the significance of data in shaping the industry, and the role of technology in advancing investment opportunities. Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, or fintech enthusiast, this episode offers a comprehensive look into the dynamic world of investment crowdfunding, revealing how it's reshaping the landscape of finance and opening new doors for innovation and growth. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ncfa.substack.com

In this enlightening episode 61 of Fintech Fridays, NCFA Founder, Craig Asano, sits down with Kay Khemani, an investment professional based in London, UK, the Co-Founder of the Phoenix App, and Managing Director of Hatchworks. Kay shares his journey from high finance at Goldman Sachs to the forefront of fintech innovation. Explore the revolutionary Phoenix app, a platform that simplifies market making in the crypto world, allowing users to become liquidity providers and earn from transaction fees, all simplified through smart contract technology. Learn about the risks and rewards of DeFi, the impact of ETFs on crypto markets, and gather essential insights for both new and seasoned investors. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ncfa.substack.com

In this insightful episode of "Fintech Fridays," we dive into the evolving landscape of small business financing with David Souaid, the Chief Revenue Officer of OnDeck Canada. David brings over two decades of experience in the fintech industry and shares his journey from co-founding Evolocity Financial Group to its merger with OnDeck Canada, illustrating his role in transforming small business lending. The discussion delves into the challenges and innovations in the industry, highlighting OnDeck's customer-centric approach, technological advancements, and future trends. David's insights reveal how OnDeck Canada is not just financing businesses but also empowering them to thrive in a dynamic economic environment.This episode provides a valuable perspective on the transformative world of fintech, especially in the realm of small business lending, and is a must-listen for entrepreneurs and industry enthusiasts seeking to understand the future of financial services. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ncfa.substack.com

On this week's episode of the Fintech Friday Podcast, our host Manseeb Khan sits down with Maria Konikov, Director of Operations at York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (YEDI). They talk about why education is crucial for entrepreneurs, how YETI offers tuition-free programs for Canadians, and what makes their diploma so special? Could it be because they have diploma program allows entrepreneurs to apply their learnings directly to their business and is taught by experienced professors who are also successful entrepreneurs? Enjoy!! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ncfa.substack.com

For anyone who needs to make complex decisions or wants to add more clarity into their lives by applying modern risk management techniques, then this one is for you. Join NCFA Founder, Craig Asano, who sits down with Alex Sidorenko, the CEO and Chief Risk Officer of the Risk Academy and Founder of Risk Awareness Week, one of the largest risk management conference programs in the world. They discuss the commoditization of science, horoscope fairy tales, beating the bear and how intuition may not always be your best friend (in some scenarios). Understand the difference between risk management for ‘box tickers’ vs modern techniques, generators vs users, virtual data, and how to think about risk management to electrify decision-support for any problem in your business or life. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ncfa.substack.com

About this episode: 10 years ago in 2012, the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS Act) was signed into law in the U.S. (and eventually a similar exemption was approved in Canada) to encourage more capital to flow to startups, support innovation, and, create jobs. It's significance cannot be understated as the rule change allowed private companies to raise capital by selling securities digitally for the first time via registered online platforms and dealer-brokers. Regulation crowdfunding also democratized previously excluded retail investors (non-accredited) by allowing them to invest directly in startup ventures empowering a new era of digital finance. A tremendous amount of advocacy and regulatory change efforts took place to make this happen, and since then the original JOBS Act rules have been improved upon for investment crowdfunding in the U.S., such as increasing the fundraising caps in the U.S. from US$1 million to US$5 million (not in Canada though, ahem). Today there's even a JOBS Act 2022 proposal on the table but will these changes be sufficient to support evolving technologies and their capabilities while also protecting investors?Regulatory change is slow and regulators need to support innovation and competition. All stakeholders need to continue to support efforts to make capital markets whole, so EVERYONE can benefit from the advancements in technology or the wealth gap will continue to widen. This is a not to be missed episode for anyone interested in the past or future of digital finance and capital markets. Join investment crowdfunding pioneers in both Canada and the U.S. who discuss the 10 year journey from a wide variety of perspectives including the evolution of first generation marketing platforms to the arrival of second generation decentralized finance models powered by blockchain technologies. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ncfa.substack.com

Checkout this not to be missed episode with NCFA Founder Craig Asano and Zach Smith, CEO and Co-Founder of Funded Today. In 2017, Zach delivered a keynote at NCFA's Canadian Crowdfinance Summit in Toronto after raising $150 million dollars. Fast forward to today, and the Funded Today machine has raised north of $426 million USD and counting. In this episode, learn what it takes to be a serial entrepreneur -- "It's not really about how much money you raise on the platform, it's about what you learn from the money that you've raised." They discuss the story of Funded Today, pivoting, diversifying investments, being strategic, doing what you love, and of course how to raise millions of dollars with rewards-based crowdfunding including a couple of real life examples. If you have an innovative project, gadget or piece of hardware, or have an app or board game and want to know if you can crowdfund dollars for it in 2022, tune in now....grab a cup of your favourite and dig in. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ncfa.substack.com

On this Season 4 kickoff episode, NCFA Founder Craig Asano sits down with the incredible Anne-Marie Fannon, Director, Work-Learn Institute at the University of Waterloo, to better understand the motivations and needs of the next major human capital resource - Gen Z. If you're a start-up, scale-up or HR professional seeking intel on an emerging tech savvy, innovative, and talent asset class then this podcast is for you. Tune in now and learn not just the how but also the why you should be building relationships with Gen Z today. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ncfa.substack.com

On this episode, show host Anna Niemira sits down with David Lucatch of Liquid Avatar Technologies Inc. They discuss the ins and outs of digital identity and it's transformative potential for both consumers and businesses. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ncfa.substack.com