York University is an academic partner in a new summit exploring the power of crowdfunding. Hosted by the York Region Business Innovation in Changing Times Conference Series, which focuses on providing businesses access to ideas, insight and resources to help them adapt to the fast-changing marketplace, the Crowdfunding Revolution summit is set for Thursday, Aug. 22, from 8:30am to 12:30pm, at the Vaughan City Hall.
Crowdfunding, which is also known as crowdsourcing, crowd financing or equity crowdfunding, harnesses the power of a group of individuals who network and pool their money to support people or organizations, research or new business ventures. Crowdfunding is used by the film industry to gather startup costs for new productions, and it supports disaster relief, citizen journalism, new product development and more. The Crowdfunding Summit will highlight strategies to successfully crowdfund a business venture, social enterprise or social cause. Participants will have an opportunity to network with leaders in the field and hear about potential regulatory changes to address the opportunities presented by crowdfunding.
Debra Chanda, founder of launch120.com and the global ambassador for Singularity University, is one of the featured presenters at the Crowdfunding Revolution summit
“We look forward to participating in the Crowdfunding Summit,” said Lisa Philipps, York University’s associate vice-president research. “Our involvement in this conference series highlights one of the many ways in which York University works with government, industry and community partners to mobilize knowledge to meet the needs of this rapidly growing, diverse region. These events are outstanding opportunities to learn about what is going on in York Region and to network with potential research and learning partners.”
Those who attend will:
- gain a better understanding of the impact of crowdfunding on business, not-for-profits and social ventures;
- get an overview of crowdfunding platforms and systems available in Canada;
- learn the steps to designing a crowdfunding campaign;
- hear about best practices and strategies to employ;
- receive updates on the innovative Social Venture Exchange (SVX) initiative from the MaRS Centre for Impact Investing;
- get the latest updates on proposals and issues about crowdfunding for equity in Ontario; and
- join a discussion with other organizations about collaborating on a crowdfunding pilot in York Region.
This conference series is the result of a collaboration among the York Small Business Enterprise Centre, chambers of commerce, and municipal, region and provincial governments. The Regional Innovation Centre, the United Way of York Region and local enterprises of all sizes are also involved in the conference series. York University and Seneca College are academic partners in the series.
Christopher Charlesworth, co-founder of HiveWire.ca and Centre for Social Innovation’s Catalyst will also be a featured presenter at the summit
Speaking at the crowdfunding summit are: James Turner, vice-chair of the Ontario Securities Commission; Debra Chanda, founder of launch120.com and the global ambassador for Singularity University; Adam Spence, manager of social venture exchange for the MaRs Centre for Impact Investing; Christopher Charlesworth, co-founder of HiveWire.ca and Centre for Social Innovation’s Catalyst; Daniele Zanotti, CEO of the United Way of York Region; and Jeff Dennis and Tracy Hooey of Fasken Martineau, an international business law firm based in Toronto.
Tickets are $50 plus HST. For more information, visit the York Region Business Innovation in Changing Times Conference Series website. Click here to register for the conference.