A SAFE – Simple Agreement for Future Equity – was created by Y-Combinator in Silicon Valley as a way for companies to raise a small amount of capital as a first step towards raising a larger venture capital round. While it makes sense if a VC round is assured, there may be a better way […]
Author Archive
Bitcoin and Blockchain Demystified
December 21st, 2017 
Mike Bitcoin is all the rage these days. And, so is Blockchain. What’s it all about?
Posted in posts 
Tags: bitcoin, blockchain, crytocurrency, einstein.exchange, ether, ethereum, litecoin, monero, ripple, tokens, zcash 
No Comments »Tax Proposals will Shrink Capital Available for Startups
September 25th, 2017 Mike Business begets business. Successful entrepreneurs invest profits from their business in new ventures. These “angel investors”, and the critical role they play in the innovation landscape, are not well understood by policy makers. Instead of amplifying their nascent contributions, the new tax proposals may keep them at bay. This is because the proposals will make […]
Small Business Tax Proposals
September 6th, 2017 Mike The Liberal Government is proposing several changes to the small business tax regime in Canada. Their stated reason is “tax fairness” – to keep the rich from using corporations to shelter tax that they would otherwise pay at a personal level. Unfortunately, unless done properly, this will make it tougher for entrepreneurs to raise capital […]
More Red Tape for Entrepreneur and Angels – Accredited Investor rules
May 6th, 2015 Mike Effective May 5,2015 Canadian Securities Regulators have added another burden on companies raising capital from Accredited (i.e. Angel) Investors. Instead of just relying on the honesty of the investor, companies must “take steps” to ensure that the investor is not lying.
Posted in posts Tags: accredited investor, angel investor, RAF, risk acknowledgement Comments Off on More Red Tape for Entrepreneur and Angels – Accredited Investor rulesCrowdfunding Updates
March 26th, 2015 Mike This blog contains the latest developments in Equity Crowdfunding.
Better Terms = Better Outcomes
May 12th, 2014 Mike Many exits happen at much lower than expected values. Even a three or four fold increase in company valuation may not produce positive returns for the early risk-taking investors. Angel investors and first-round investors are taking it on the chin all too often. Here’s how to stop it.
Posted in Business Blog, posts Tags: dilution, down round protection, Shareholders Agreement, term sheets Comments Off on Better Terms = Better OutcomesBCSC Considering Crowdfunding Exemption
March 21st, 2014 Mike Just a day after I wrote about Crowdfunding becoming the new VSE, the BC Securities Commission issued a notice requesting comment on the idea of a new crowdfunding exemption that would allow companies to raise a small amount of capital (max $150K) from investors in small amounts (max $1500).
Crowdfunding = Going Public
March 18th, 2014 Mike The more I think about equity crowdfunding the more I believe that this is going to be the new VSE (Vancouver Stock Exchange). It’s almost inevitable when you stop and think about it. Doesn’t “crowd” mean “public”? So why is crowdfunding any different?
Posted in posts Tags: angel investor, angels, crowdfunding, equity crowdfunding, going public, ipo, startup capital No Comments »Equity Crowdfunding – Doing it Right (for discussion)
November 2nd, 2012 Mike Equity Crowfunding – the selling of shares in new ventures to the general public – can give entrepreneurs access to a vast resource of new capital. While this will stimulate the creation of more companies and jobs, not everyone thinks that this is a good idea. Securities regulators are worried about investors losing out due […]
