Nova Scotia crowdfunding rules aimed at small business and investors

The Nova Scotia Securities Commission wants to reach out to business owners about new crowdfunding rules designed to protect investorsbut also makeit easier for smaller companies to raise capital.

The Nova Scotia Securities Commission introduced new regulationsin May to addresscrowdfunding, which often involves raising money for projects and ventures from large numbers of people over the internet.

The securities commission is hosting a public information session Oct. 15 at the Nova Scotia Community CollegeinTruroto brief business owners about the new rules.

Regulations nowgovern sixdifferent methods ofcrowdfunding. Two of the most popular methodsarebusinesses that issue shares or promiseto repay the money with interest,according to Abel Lazarus, senior securities analyst with the Nova ScotiaSecurities Commission.

Businesses are only permitted to accept a maximum of $1,500per person. There is a cap of $250,000 on eachcrowdfunding campaignand businesses are restricted to two per year.Eachcrowdfundingeffort has 90 days to raise its specified amount.

Exemptions

The rules, however, donot apply tocrowdfundingthat seeks donations for individuals or where money is provided in return for a purchase.

Lazarus points to Brooklyn Warehouse, the popular Halifax restaurant, as an example. It launched two crowdfunding campaigns to raise money for improvements.

"In return for people putting their money toward that they would get free meals, or their name up on the wall as recognition for providing money," Lazarus said. "That's the only expectation that people have."

Crowdfundingis operated by either a registered dealer or a funding portal, which also must follow regulations.It holds all investments in trust and if the designated amount isn't raised, any money received will be returned to investors.

It must also disclose possible risks.

Two funding portals have been established in the province, but so far no companies have started crowdfunding since the rules took effect.

And Lazarus sayshe's not aware of any companies crowdfunding in return forcommon stock or debt prior to therules taking effect, but the new regulations should open the door for them.

"We've recognized that for small and startup-sized businesses, it's very cost prohibitive for them to raise capital and try and be in compliance with securities laws," he said.

"We see this as opportunity to provide a regulated means for those companies to reach out to the public to raise capital, without having to engage professional accountants and lawyers to guide them through the capital-raising process and be in compliance with securities laws."