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MONEY RADIO: GUEST KIM WALES

Host Sinclair Noe interviewed Kim Wales, the founder and CEO of Wales Capital and CrowdBureau, on his daily radio show during December 2015. Ms. Wales and Mr. Noe discussed the Securities and Exchange Commission releasing the final rules for Title III, Regulation Crowdfunding of the JOBS Act on October 30, 2015. Their interview spans current views on what is happening in the marketplace, opportunities for investors to make their money work for them and how small businesses can find investors for their company.

The market will not open until May 16, 2016. Ms. Wales reported that the SEC’s vote resulted in allowing people of all income sizes the ability to participate in equity and debt crowdfunding using a registered funding platform or a broker dealer; both will be registered with FINRA.

Companies can now raise up to $1 million in a 12-month period and individuals can invest more flexibly in businesses using Title III by adhering to investor protection rules for investment limits. The playing field is now more leveled across the capital markets.

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JOBS Act (Title II): Bill Gross to Manage $500M Alerts Investors using Social Media

By: Kim Wales, 11/24/2014 —

While Wall Street continues to be a little apprehensive about adopting social media into their day-to-day operations, money manager Bill Gross who describes himself as a philosophical nomad disguised in Western clothing, a wondering drifter, masquerading in a suit near a California beach in his latest investment report released on November 3, 2014. Gross proves his prowess by taking to social media site Twitter to announce to the world his next big opportunity and outpacing some of compatriots in the world of social information to gain an advantage.

Following the announcement, Gross said on Twitter, through Janus’ official account, that he was “honored” to be managing the new account for Soros.

Bill Gross will manage $500 million for George Soros' at Janus Capital

Bill Gross will manage $500 million for George Soros’ at Janus Capital

Social information is slowing influencing Wall Street investment decisions as we witness events that continue to move markets since the signing of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS Act), and the ‘go-live’ of Title II, general solicitation and advertising that went live on September 23, 2013.

Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix was the first that took to the social media site Facebook highlighting the opportunity embedded social information for investors.  Hasting’s actions highlighted the uncertainty surrounding that the application of Regulation of Fair Disclosure to social media. The Regulation stated that information must be published in a manner “reasonably designed to provide broad, non exclusionary distribution of the information to the public.” And Hastings believed that the 245,386 subscribers to his Facebook page were sufficiently broad under the current guidelines.

Proving that capital markets are democratizing,  Hastings’ Facebook post led to the SEC decision to accept the use of social media as a way for companies to communicate material, non-public information both recognized and reinforced the importance of social media as a source of information on Wall Street ad Main Street.

SEC Says Social Media OK for Company Announcements if Investors Are Alerted

As reported by Bloomberg’s Mary Childs and Katherine Burton, “Janus is seeking to raise its profile and rebuild a brand damaged by missteps and departures of money managers. The firm, which had $174 billion under management as of Sept. 30, attracted more than $1 billion of estimated net subscriptions to two bond mutual funds in October after the Sept. 26 hiring of 70-year-old Gross, who co-founded Pacific Investment Management Co. in 1971.”

Despite the slow adoption to social networks by Wall Street these are clear signs that a ‘change in sea’ is underway and Gross’ perch over the California shores is giving him a clear view on how to navigate online and off.

 

Unlock the capital markets for small cap and mid cap business using the JOBS Act, Regulation A+

By: Kim Wales, 11/1/2014  —

On a warm Fall, October evening in New York, some of the securities crowdfunding industry pioneers, advocates, policy influencers and solution providers gathered at the Law offices of Pepper Hamilton for Dara Albright’s Regulation A+ event.  David Weild, the founder of Issuworks and former ex-Vice Chairman of NASDAQ, closed the evening with an impassioned message about what steps are needed to spur capital formation that will  start moving money into the hands on entrepreneurs and main street investors.

Unlocking the capital markets for small cap and mid cap businesses using the JOBS Act, Title IV (Regulation A+) is top of mind after 7 years of stagnant economy. This has become the mission for everyone in room such as Brian Korn (Pepper Hamilton), Peter Einstein (Crowdfund4All), Sara Hanks (CrowdCheck), Douglass Ellenoff (Ellenoff Grossman and Schole, Kim Wales (Wales Capital and CrowdBureau), and Sam Guzik (Guzik & Associates), Chris Tyrrell (OfferBoard) and Manolis Sfinarolakis (Crowd RealityTV) to name a few.  However, Weild was very clear in his messaging, “NASAA is doing incredible harm to the economy and they need to stand down.”

The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) is a special interest group that represents state securities regulators. Ironically they have taken an anti-business / anti-investor approach by attempting to block Title IV (Regulation A+) of the JOBS Act – otherwise known as Reg A+. Regulation A+ includes the biggest opportunity presented by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) proposal for preemption of State Blue Sky in 40 years. In addition, qualified purchasers can invest up to 10 percent of their net worth. Finally, Title IV of the JOBS Act increases the offering limit from $5 million to $50 million in a 12 month period.

NASAA aggressively lobbies Congress and has hired high powered attorneys to stop state blue sky preemption for certain private placements. Small businesses creates 64% net new jobs for the economy which is the vast majority for U.S. and should be the engine for economic growth. However, at play is protecting revenue stream and power at NASSA; that is thwarting the opportunity for small and emerging business to thrive and survive.

In addressing NASAA’s concerns, Weild aptly points out that state regulators will continue to have anti-fraud laws which they can use but calls their present stance “laughable”. “If you want to stop all fraud lets just stop all business …We all know that is not the right answer,” says Weild.

While there are clearly members of NASAA that disagree with this anti-business policy for now the group has paradoxically taken a position that is to the detriment of the economy. Weild also tackles other issues that are in need of regulatory change, including tick size reform, that are bogging down small cap IPOs.

David Weild’s closing address is a must watch for Anyone who is pro-economy and pro-small business :

Congressman Patrick McHenry: Three Leg Stool Approach Needed for Regulation A+

By: Kim Wales, 11/1/2014 —

With the national election scheduled in two weeks, Congressman Patrick McHenry finds the time to continue advocating for small business and emerging growth companies in the changing markets under the JOBS Act for Title II, Title II and Title IV at Dara Albright’s New York Event held on October 21, 2014.  Ultimately, Congressman McHenry’s delivered a keynote address that focussed on capital formation issues and offering a way forward.

In the keynote address, McHenry discusses: 1). the state of play in Washington; 2) outlines the three Titles of the JOBS Act that he is passionate about; 3) provides three leg stool for Regulation A+; 4) offers an explanation about why are we working through the question of Capital Formation?; 5) provides key take away; 6) Q&A:

Summary:

State of Play: Gridlock in Washington, based on the work product witnessed or not witnessed by the American people. The JOBS Act is the most significant re-write of securities law in the last 80 years.  There is greatest hope for capital formation and economic sustainability is built into Title III – Regulation Crowdfunding so long as Investor Protection and Capital Formation remain at the forefront of a developing robust marketplace.

Congressman McHenry highlights three Titles of the JOBS Act that he is passionate about and has tirelessly lobbied and advocated for on behalf of the American people and he remains hopeful that “right and just” will win at the end of the day.

  1. Title II (Regulation D, Rule 506(c) and Rule 144A: Lifting the Ban on General Solicitation, which was a straight forward piece of legislation that went live on September 23, 2013. Working well while in it’s infancy.
  2. Title III (Securities Based Crowdfuding): The ambition of Title III was to update outmoded securities law and merge technology with finance. Currently, the law remains deeply flawed and the rule has been pending for a substantially long time (over 700 days). What should have been structured at the Commissioner level has turned into a top priority at the SEC.  Now Congress needs to fix the problem, and the SEC must work with Congress because things like cost structure does not work as laid out in the final proposed rules.  To mention a few flaws that do not work: a). audited financial statements for offering $500K or greater; b). issuance capital raise limits up to $1 million; and c). prohibition on testing the water.
  3. Title IV (Regulation A+) – The biggest opportunity presented by the SEC’s proposal is the preemption of state blue sky law. Regulation A, lifts the capital raise limits from $5 million to $50 million; in addition, a qualified purchaser can invest up to 10 percent of the net worth in an Reg. A offering.  What is needed is a well written set of laws and rules for Regulation A. This is now become a top priority for McHenry!  “We must get the rules right so that is not a  dead letter upon arrival but rather it can be a lively opportunity.”

Further, by implementing Title IV, this will allow for us to fix the question of securities based crowdfunding, more specifically equity crowdfunding because of great opportunities afforded the main street entrepreneur, retail investor, and risk takers. “In order to get this right, there are 3 legs to the stool of this alliance”, says McHenry.

3 Legs to the stool of this alliance:

  1. Congress and SEC getting this question of regulation of law correct and done.
  2. Galvanize the democratization of finance: significant amount cultural shift in the marketplace must take place and we the people must be drivers of the shift; alongside helping to create useable public policy in Washington.
  3. Open structure data on the market: we must have the best information on the markets and best market structure that can follow as a result of open structure data. This most importantly can help to move Congress and SEC in the right direction.

Why are we working through the question of Capital Formation? Entrepreneurs may not be connected to the right side of the tracks to get financing for their companies. Delivering the entrepreneur to the marketplace and connecting them to the world of capital so that we can all live better tomorrow and have real vibrant economic growth!

Take Away: Communicate and Build Relationships. Make sure that we have connection with policymakers in Washington. The SEC has an open door policy — go to Washington and introduce yourself. Go to Capital Hill and get to know your U.S. Representative. If you don’t have relationships, go an introduce yourself, to your State Ccongressman and Senator. Inform them about sound public policy. Build these relationships!

Congressman Patrick McHenry takes the final question: Kim Wales, crowdfunding industry pioneer and founder of Wales Capital and CrowdBureau ask Congressman McHenry the last question: “You talk about lobbying our Senators and Congressman, but there is a lobbying group called NASSA that is an influential body as it relates to small securities offerings across all of the states. How do we balance the discussion with that organization and their influence on all of the states in terms of pushing this bill forward (Title IV – Regulation A+)?”

 

Crowdfunding Facts, Myths and Best Practices

New York, NY

The Inventors Association of Manhattan speaks with securities crowdfunding expert, Kim Wales founder and CEO of Wales Capital about crowdfunding facts, myths and best practices.

Crowdfunding: National Experts, Kim Wales Discuss Impact of Title II of the JOBS Act

New York, NY

National Crowdfunding Experts, Kim Wales, Douglas Ellenoff, Zack Cassidy – Dorian and Jonathan Sundland share their views on where the big opportunity is in securities based crowdfunding within the next five years at the Feliciano Center for Enterpreneurship on the Montclair State University Campus.

The State of Equity Based Crowdfunding

Washington, D.C.,

August 24, 2014, 700+ days after the JOBS Act was signed into legislation, the SEC still has not released the final rules for Title III: Regulation Crowdfunding.

Over one year ago, February 19, 2013, the nation’s principal leaders and experts on equity and debt‐based financing providing an in‐depth review of the extensive build out and preparation that has taken place to help entrepreneurs’ access capital through online platforms, while protecting the investors who will finance these enterprises. The group touched upon the global advancement of equity‐based crowdfunding, the significant challenges entrepreneurs still face in accessing capital and why it is vitally important that the SEC finalize JOBS Act rule makings.

Watch the Press Conference:

 

Moderator and Host: Karen Kerrigan, President & CEO, SBE Council; Panel of Experts: Sherwood Neiss & Jason Best, architects of the crowdfund investing framework that became law through the JOBS Act and Principals of Crowdfund Capital Advisors; Candace Klein, Founder, Bad Girl Ventures and SoMoLend; Ryan Feit, Co‐Founder, SeedInvest; Vince Molinari, President, GATE Technologies; Sara Hanks, CEO, CrowdCheck; Chris Tyrell, Nehemiah Investments; Kim Wales, Founder of Wales Capital and Chair of the Crowdfunding Professional Association [introduced at 25 minute mark]; Judy Robinett, Entrepreneur, Advisor to Early Stage Companies; Doug Ellenoff, Ellenoff, Grossman & Schole, LLP; Chance Barnett, Founder, Crowdfunder

WKXL’s Financial Spectrum: Guest Kim Wales

On January 7, 2014, host Bill Kearney explored the world of finance with Kim Wales, the founder and CEO of Wales Capital and CrowdBureau. They discussed the current status on the JOBS Act, the future and impact of equity and debt crowdfunding and new market opportunities.  Click the link to listen to the show.

Kim Wales speaks with Money Radio on Crowdfund Investments

January 6, 2014

What a great way to start the New Year with Industry Pioneer, Kim Wales, headquartered in New York, NY speaking with Sinclair Noe on the Financial Review Show for “Money Radio.” Kim discusses the JOBS Act, Title II and Title III timelines, Innovation, Trends and Opportunities in the burgeoning new marketplace.

Thirty – Second Annual SEC Government – Business Forum: Kim Wales

The Securities and Exchange Commission held the Thirty Second SEC Government – Business Forum on Small Business Capital Formation on November 21, 2013.  Kim Wales, a sought after thought leader on the JOBS Act and Crowdfund Investing. Kim was invited as a panelist and provided a presentation that can be downloaded.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has conducted this forum annually since 1982. The event provides small business, their advisors, and their investors with an opportunity to share perspectives and views on a variety of topics important to them.  This is an effective way for the agency and its staff to learn more about the important capital formation issues that the small business sector is facing.

Click here for the Panel Discussion: Crystal Ball: Now that you raised money, what’s next for the company and the markets?

 

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