Angel Investment, Venture Capital, and the entire private markets have historically been considered the exclusive domain of the wealthy and networked. The higher risk nature of early-stage investing left regulators in Canada to prohibit the general public from investing in private companies. This was, in part, due to the uncertainty of returns and lack of liquidity from this type of investment, locking in large amounts of capital for significant periods of time with no guarantee of ever getting your money back. 

However, the private markets have also been where most of the wealth in the world has been created, with the largest returns seen for the earliest stage investors. By restricting private company investment to only the wealthy, founders are limited to seeking critical capital form a small pool of high net worth people. This dynamic, compounded over time, has caused an imbalance in the demographics of founders that get funded, with minority groups at a significant disadvantage when raising capital. 

Equity Crowdfunding, also known as crowd investing or community investing, is a new type of fundraising that allows private companies to raise money by issuing small portions of ownership to a large group of investors. This allows many more people to participate in the higher risk, but higher return private investment market. Now, smaller investors can participate in venture deals which had traditionally required high minimum investments and limited to those who are considered wealthy.

By working with a registed funding portal, founders can access a larger pool of potential investors and covert community relationships into backers. Customers, fans, followers, and extended community members can now be early-stage investors in a private business, sharing in the risk and reward.

Another rapidly growing area of interest is self-directed investing. Over the pandemic, interest in investing in the public markets had skyrocketed with 2.3M new self-directed investment accounts being creating in Canada in 2020 alone. From the total pool of retail investors 11% had risk tolerances appropriate for private investing. This growing base of self-directed retail investors interested in higher risk opportunities are ideal for equity crowdfunding and creating new sources of funding for startups and small businesses.

Equivesto provides a common meeting ground for private Canadian startups & small businesses looking to raise capital and Investors seeking new opportunities.

Investors have access to a curated list of active deals that they can review and invest in, hassle-free and with no-pressure. Starting with as little as $100 CAD, investors can make venture investments and steer their capital towards supporting businesses they believe in.

Founders can raise between $25,000 CAD and $1,500,000 CAD for their growing business through Equity Crowdfunding. We provide a suite of capital raising tools, processes, and strategies that help founders effectively identify and win over equity investors and convert community into backers.

Since our launch in September 2020, we have run over 20 campaigns, raising over $3.5M from thousands of investors. The growth of interest in equity crowdfunding has exponetially increased in recent months. Community rounds are quickly becoming a common consideration for companies who have active communities and want to build with the public as stakeholders.

See our full list of Success Stories here

A key part of our success so far has been thanks to our amazing partner community. With their help, we are able to serve many more founders and investors. We look forward to further developing our relationships with our partners and creating new partnerships with other members of the ecosystem.

At Equivesto, we provide the tools to help underserved individuals get equitable access to the private investment market.

Equity Crowdfunding allows private companies to raise money by issuing small portions of ownership to a large group of investors. This allows many more people to participate in the higher risk, higher return private investment market.

This distribution of opportunity opens avenues for investors and founders alike, and has the potential to change the ecosystem for the better. Through equity ownership, a diverse and inclusive investor base can help drive community values into business decisions. Social and environmental impact become essential factors for businesses who wish to raise in this way.

The Impact

TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE

The distribution of opportunity to a broader audience opens avenues for investors and companies alike and has the potential to change the ecosystem for the better. With more participation, factors such as community and environmental impact become more important, and a required stakeholder for businesses who wish to raise in this manner. Financial return is no longer the only metric to value a company’s success, with the equal weight to People, Planet, and Profit (aka. The Triple Bottom Line).

Support businesses that mean something to you.

INVESTORS

In a world filled with Mutual Funds and Robo-advisors, we often forget the importance of knowing what values we support with our capital. What automation provides in convenience, it lacks in transparency. On Equivesto, you can speak with your dollars and align them with your beliefs by backing companies that are doing things important to you.

You’re More than 10x.

FOUNDERS

10x (10 times) has widely been known in the industry as the minimum return expectation for Angel Investors and Venture Capital investments. This form of unrealistic pressure can be crippling to many businesses and ignores equally important social and sustainable factors. On Equivesto, you are more than an expected return and your investors chose you because they value what your value.

*Considering the maximum raise of $1.5M is met.

*Considering the maximum raise of $1.5M is met.

*Considering the maximum raise of $1.5M is met.

NOTE: You will need your Bank Account Number, Transit Number, and Institution Number to Invest.

Pre-money valuation (before investment received): ~$15,000,000

Minimum Raise: $100,000.00 for 200,000 Class ECF Non-Voting Common Shares for 0.614% at $0.50 per Non Voting Common Share.

Max Raise: $1,500,000.00 for 3,000,000 Class ECF Non-Voting Common Shares for 9.217% at $0.50 per Non Voting Common Share.

Minimum Investment Amount: $500.00

Securities offered: Class ECF Non-Voting Common Shares

NOTE: There is no minimum raise amount for this Offering Memorandum.  

Please review the Offering Memorandum, Shareholder's Agreement, and Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation attached to the campaign page to see the detailed rights of these securities.  You will need to create an account to see attached documents.