Yearly Archives: 2019

#HashtagFinance, Podcasts

Neil Seeman on Generating Actionable Insights with Incalculable Amounts of Data

Audio

https://youtu.be/S4pQh5PR43Y%20

Neil Seeman, Founder and CEO of RIWI Corp. (CSE:RIW), joins James Black to discuss how RIWI generates actionable insights via global trend tracking and predictive analysis, or “big data” (1:26), the company’s efforts to track consumer sentiment in China (5:34), and the challenges and opportunities that come with being a publicly-listed technology company (14:43). Listen until the end to hear how they use machine learning to evaluate the veracity of their data, for Neil’s thoughts on the new reality of investing in the tech world, and to learn more about the “spicy chicken problem.”

Subscribe:  Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Soundcloud / Stitcher / Google Play / RSS
#HashtagFinance, Podcasts

Robert Galarza on Bringing Blockchain into the Cannabis World

Audio

Robert Galarza, CEO and Director of TruTrace Technologies Inc. (CSE:TTT), joins James Black to discuss how TruTrace established its position at the intersection of blockchain and cannabis (2:09), how their data management platform operates at various stages of cannabis production and testing (5:07), and why Major League baseball was an impetus to get into data architecture (11:21). Listen until the end to learn more about the company’s partnerships with Shoppers and Deloitte, to hear about Robert’s time as a lawyer, and his thoughts on how cannabis companies will be structured in the future.

Subscribe:  Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Soundcloud / Stitcher / Google Play / RSS
CSE Issuer Stories

DealMaker Deals: Deconstructed

Our first instalment of Deals Deconstructed celebrates a groundbreaking raise from Stately Cannabis Brands Ltd. (“Stately”), a US focused cannabis strategic acquisition company founded by three serial entrepreneurs.

Trent Kitsch, Jeff Barber, and Ryan Foreman have already founded, scaled, and commercialized several Canadian success stories, including DOJA / HIKU (a vertically integrated cannabis lifestyle brand and brand house) and SAXX (premium apparel).

Stately plans on tapping into its deep network and leveraging its team’s proven expertise in cannabis, branding and consumer packaged goods to identify an emerging cannabis brand that has the potential to become a market leader and nationally recognized brand.

So, when it came time for the seasoned entrepreneurs to capitalize their newest venture, speed, efficiency and a broad reach driven by digital marketing was top of mind.

That’s where DealMaker makes new realities possible.

The deal was quarterbacked by Pushor Mitchell LLP, a premier regional firm based in British Columbia.

Using DealMaker, Stately and Pushor Mitchell were able to reach and close retail investors based around the world – leveraging the power of the internet. In just a matter of weeks, the company brought in approximately $9.6 million from over five hundred investors, all while based in their hometown of Kelowna, British Columbia.

Investors from
73 cities
across
4 continents
subscribed to Stately through DealMaker.

154 investors
completed their subscriptions within
24 hours
of receiving their e-mail invitations.

289 investors
closed their subscriptions
completely online
without needing to print or fax a single piece of paper.

Like many entrepreneurs, Trent, Jeff and Ryan like to be “hands-on,” so DealMaker’s real-time progress updates and data insights were much appreciated.

“We had access to an unprecedented depth and richness of insight with DealMaker. The ability to understand and adapt to our investors’ progress was a real game-changer.”
– Jeff Barber, founding partner and CEO, Stately Brands Cannabis Ltd.

DealMaker also unlocked tremendous efficiencies for the issuer’s counsel, Pushor Mitchell.  DealMaker helped the firm deliver nimble, cost-efficient solutions to a key client, while focusing its attention on providing high-value legal advice rather than pushing paper – a game-changer for capital raises.

“The use of the DealMaker platform reduced the number of email exchanges and phone calls, resulting in a more efficient process overall. DealMaker made it easy to keep track of the progress of our client’s financing.”
– Keith Inman, Partner, Pushor Mitchell LLP

Trent, Jeff, and Ryan know how to create excitement, they know how to operate efficiently, and they know how to build a business. And for Keith at Pushor Mitchell, reputation, client service and excellence are paramount.  Where speed, efficiency, and quality are critical, issuers and counsel need a reliable solution that keeps up with the pace of the markets. DealMaker delivers.

Want to learn more about Stately?

Stately Cannabis Brands can be reached at https://www.statelybrands.com and [email protected].

Are you ready for DealMaker?

If you’re ready to take advantage of the groundbreaking DealMaker platform, feel free to contact DealMaker at [email protected] or  +1 855 550 1683.

Visit dealmaker.tech

Event Review

CSE Unveils Media Centre and Celebrates 15 Years as a Recognized Exchange

Since its inception, the Canadian Securities Exchange has demonstrated exceptional leadership when it comes to entrepreneurship and innovation. On September 10, 2019, those themes took on an exciting new form with the official launch of the CSE Media Centre, a development that coincided with the CSE’s 15-year anniversary as a recognized stock exchange.

The introduction of the CSE Media Centre marks an important milestone in the evolution of the client experience with the CSE. This new space will provide a platform for CSE-listed companies to celebrate their own entrepreneurial milestones by participating in Market Opens. In addition, it will enable stakeholders and investors to engage with compelling digital and social media content featuring CSE-listed companies.

Located in the new CSE offices on the top floor of First Canadian Place in Toronto, and providing unobstructed views of the CN Tower and Lake Ontario, the CSE Media Centre is ideally situated to provide the CSE’s clients with a unique and inspiring space in which to engage in “big picture” thinking and discussions.

Anchoring this environment is the CSE Media Wall, a state-of-the-art digital LED media display. In addition to serving as a ceremonial backdrop for Market Opens, as well as a rich source of relevant news and information from the capital markets, it’s also an embodiment of the dynamic, diverse, and ambitious visions that characterize the entrepreneurial journey of publicly listed companies.

2019_CSE_Media_Centre

The CSE Media Centre also reflects the continuing investment in, and expansion of, the CSE’s digital ecosystem, which now includes a compelling range of audio, video, social media, and blog content. Companies that participate in Market Opens at the new Media Centre will be able to easily share these experiences via the CSE’s digital network, encouraging conversations about emerging trends and opportunities across a variety of industries, and helping stakeholders stay up to date on the latest developments from CSE-listed issuers.

“We are thrilled to launch the CSE Media Centre, the intersect of premier client service and compelling digital content, two themes we are truly passionate about at the CSE,” noted VP James Black. “We look forward to providing a venue to celebrate our clients’ success and sharing more engaging content across our digital channels in written, audio, and video formats.”

The CSE team had the honour of celebrating the inaugural Market Open, and ringing the official opening bell to usher in the day’s trading session. Notable members of the team on-hand included Bonnie Lauer, Mark Faulkner, Robert Cook, Radhika Ramkarran, Robert Theriault, Adam Conyers, David Timpany, Bernard Chua, and Richard Carleton, who all share the distinction of being part of the CSE team since its inception in 2003. This core team has been instrumental in shaping the evolution of the CSE, so it was especially impactful to celebrate this latest milestone with them.

Check out our video showcasing the launch of our Media Centre and inaugural Market Open:

The unveiling of the CSE Media Centre took place on the CSE’s 15-year anniversary as a recognized stock exchange. This celebration not only represents the growth and successes the CSE has enjoyed over the past 15 years, but the entrepreneurial vision that has driven these achievements, and will continue to do so as the CSE looks towards the next 15 years, and beyond.

Added CSE CEO Richard Carleton, “Since our recognition as a stock exchange in 2004, the CSE has evolved to become home to over 530 listed securities, proving itself to be Canada’s Exchange for Entrepreneurs, including establishing itself as the pre-eminent global listing venue for companies in the cannabis sector. The introduction of the CSE Media Centre is just the first of several new initiatives we are excited to unveil in the coming months.”

For more details about the CSE Media Centre, including schedules, video, and content from recent market opens, please visit the Market at the CSE Media Centre page on the CSE website.

#HashtagFinance, Podcasts

Gianni Kovacevic on the Vital Role of Copper in Sustainable Energy Solutions

Audio

Gianni Kovacevic, CEO of Copperbank Resources (CSE:CBK) and author of My Electrician Drives a Porsche?, joins Grace Pedota to discuss how he became a “modern energy expert” (1:12), how electrification is causing a fundamental shift in the automotive industry (3:27), and why copper is such a vital resource as many industries move towards sustainable, emission-free solutions (10:19). Listen until the end to hear about Gianni’s road trip across America in an electric car, for more information about his book, and for the biggest investing lesson he’s learned.

Subscribe:  Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Soundcloud / Stitcher / Google Play / RSS
#HashtagFinance, Podcasts

Marlene Street Forrest on Creating Wealth via Transparent Processes

Audio

Marlene Street Forrest, Managing Director of the Jamaica Stock Exchange, joins Barrington Miller in the podcast studio during the JSE’s visit to Toronto to discuss their 50th anniversary and recent recognition as a top-performing exchange (1:46), the launch of the Jamaica Social Stock Exchange (3:21), and the requirements for listing on the JSE (4:53). Listen until the end to learn about what’s ahead in 2020 for the JSE, including the expansion of their online trading platform, and for their key message to investors about creating wealth.

Subscribe:  Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Soundcloud / Stitcher / Google Play / RSS
#HashtagFinance, Podcasts

Shira Adler on the Role of CBD in Holistic Wellness

Audio

Shira Adler, Founder and CEO of Synergy and author of The ABCs of CBD, joins Grace Pedota via Skype to talk about the inspiration behind her book and its reception so far (4:09), her role as an advocate for CBD and the integral part it plays in holistic wellness (6:01), and her thoughts on the growing number of influential women in the cannabis space (8:00). Listen until the end to learn more about her upcoming speaking engagements around the world, her new book currently in progress, and to hear about her time as a Bravo reality TV star!

Subscribe:  Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Soundcloud / Stitcher / Google Play / RSS
Service Providers

Press Play: Reeling in the power of videos to reach the right investors through social media

A collaborative and engaging form of communication within the investment community is an integral component of a well-managed public company. This can range from traditional and digital media to conferences and networking, however social media and video marketing are the key elements in raising brand awareness most effectively.

When it comes to videos, they are one of the most powerful tools to reach investors because they are easily digestible and more memorable than plain text. In a world where content can be shared via smartphones in a matter of minutes, millions of people can access your content quicker. Here, we will outline how you can create compelling video content to reach your target investor audience using the power of social media advertising.

Play to your social media platforms’ strong suit

With almost 5 billion videos watched on YouTube, and over 8 billion videos watched on Facebook every day, this medium has shown itself to be a powerful and visually engaging mechanism among audiences. Social media is a great tool that a company can use for pushing out their most important information in a creative and digestible manner, however some platforms have different advantages when delivering video content.

Different platforms harbour pros and cons when it comes to distributing video content. Here, we break down which platforms are most effective depending on what your business end goal is.

Facebook
● Best for short, informative videos that work without sound

Twitter
● Best for snippets of information (60 seconds)

LinkedIn
● Best for “how-to” content and case studies

YouTube
● Best for longer, educational content that answers questions

Although understanding the strong suits of each platform is important for tailoring video content, it is also important to know that social amplification can add another layer of visibility and reach beyond a company’s direct online network.

Amplifying video distribution with social media

When creating content, it is important to consider how your information will be relayed to the public, especially when aiming to extend beyond your audience base. The main goal is to reach a wider scope of people in order for your company to get discovered by new investor eyeballs, receive higher engagement rates, and build up a positive reputation.

Market One Media Group utilizes top-tier business publications such as the Financial Post, BNN Bloomberg and Kitco to showcase content to a high-quality investor audience – whether it be videos or online articles. Through these partnerships, we’re able to tap into a network of over 2.5 million potential investors and are able to amplify our reach through strategic and targeted social media advertising.

Social media advertising is the next important step for a video once it has been published on our distribution networks because it broadens our audience. Based on the knowledge that social media networks utilize user information to serve relevant content to interested viewers, setting up targeting specific to each piece of video content is crucial.

To successfully promote a video on social media, the following questions should be considered:

Based on the specific industry, who is your target demographic?
Where does the majority of your target audience consume their information?
Who are your competitors and who is their target audience?
With these questions in mind, it is easier to generate an effective audience base who is more likely to engage with your content. Subsequently, these ads are able to generate better brand awareness and can help draw investors to your company’s website.

Adding video content to your website

When it comes to sourcing quality news and information on the web, investors will look at prospective company websites which provide a wealth of information. Every good website that is catered towards investors should include video pieces that encompass different elements of a company’s business. This can be done by incorporating clips of the CEO, drone footage of mining sites, discussing corporate social responsibility, or live conference footage.

As a company looking for new investors, here are some reasons why adding video content to your website is helpful:

●  Effectively deliver your message
●  Increase engagement
●  Add personality to your brand
●  Stand out among competitors
●  Be memorable

Moreover, creating multiple touch points with website visitors is imperative for public companies, and the best way to do so is through setting up a Facebook pixel. The pixel works to target your ads to the right people based on your website’s traffic patterns. This tool can improve your marketing strategy by guiding your ads to the people you want to reach and the people who have already shown an interest in your company.

Video content has proven its potential to transform journalism and traditional content distribution. Sharing a company’s brand organically, in the form of a visually moving story, is much easier to distribute and has drastically changed an audience’s experience when interacting with an organization. Pair this with strategic social media advertising, and you’ve got a solid marketing plan for your company.

Video isn’t dying down anytime soon, so we suggest adding it to your content marketing strategy because it has the ability to encompass your company’s voice in a short time span, can be optimized to reach the right people, and is inherently sharable.

For more information on how you can inform investors by creating custom video content, visit our website: www.marketonemediagroup.com

This story was featured in the Service Providers magazine.

Learn more about Market One Media Group at http://www.marketonemediagroup.com/ and on the CSE website at https://www.thecse.com/en/services/services-for-listed-companies/market-one-media-group.

Service Providers

The Benefits of Cross-Trading in the United States

For many Canadian companies, the successful listing of their security represents an important milestone. It’s a sign of recognition, prestige and success, demonstrating to the market a desire to be open and transparent. There are many reasons why a company may choose to list its shares – to raise capital, increase its valuation and diversify its shareholder base. But many companies are unaware that there are limitations as to what can be achieved by solely listing in Canada. They may not be cognizant of the fact that many U.S. investors are unwilling or unable to invest in foreign markets, and that the information they make available locally may not be widely available to U.S. investors. So, what is the best way to bridge this gap and access the world’s largest market for capital expansion and growth? Cross-trading.

There are numerous benefits to Cross-Trading in the US:

  • Diversifying your shareholder base
  • Making your financial information, research, pricing, and risk assessment more broadly available to U.S. investors
  • Appealing to those investors who prefer securities traded domestically ($USD)
  • Enhancing visibility among broker dealers by supporting broker and sell-side compliance

A national exchange, such as NYSE or Nasdaq, may be perceived to be the natural home and fit for most foreign issuers looking to access a deep pool of institutional investors. However, foreign issuers, such as those in Canada, are subject to U.S. exchange requirements and different accounting standards that can become duplicative, time-consuming and cost-prohibitive for global IROs with limited budgets. On the contrary, cross-trading on the OTC Market allows a company to leverage its existing reporting standards to make its disclosure available in the U.S. The simplified requirements to trade OTC remove duplication, are less-resource intensive and require fewer expensive experts.  This secondary trading solution helps to remove trading restrictions and complements the company’s home market reporting process. In turn, a company improves its ability to maximize shareholder value, achieve better visibility and a fair valuation in the U.S. public market, while increasing the effectiveness of its investor relations program.

Cross-trading also presents both Canada and the US with reciprocal opportunities for issuers to enhance market liquidity, creating additional investing opportunities in a company’s home market and abroad.  Providing a cost-effective trading environment in which to raise capital and build global investor awareness.

In addition to cross-trading, OTC Markets Group Inc. and the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) recently developed a first-of-its-kind North American capital formation and visibility solution for start-ups looking to go public.  This alliance offers issuers the benefits of the IPO listing on the CSE, combined with secondary trading on OTC Markets’ OTCQX Best Market/OTCQB Venture Market.  This affords investors and the broker dealer community greater access to a breadth of financial information, increased global investing opportunities and more efficient trading of international issuers shares.  Simple processes and fixed fee structures remove many of the barriers of cost, time and complexity typically associated with going public on an exchange. Helping companies bridge the gap and expand their footprint– paving the way for capital expansion and growth.

This story was featured in the Service Providers magazine.

Learn more about OTC Markets Group at https://www.otcmarkets.com/.

Service Providers

A Solution to Getting to Know Your Shareholders

Reality Check: How Well Do You Know Your Shareholders?

No, really — how well?

Most public companies suffer from a lack of information that is typically found in small private companies. Small private companies experience the support of friends and family, small family offices or even venture capital firms that speculate on their behalf. Actually, public companies don’t operate much differently. They, too, experience the support of friends, family and seed investors. The difference is that one day the IPO lures a company in to go public.

The “Problem” with Going Public

It begins when bankers, institutions and small funds lead the way in offering your company to go public. Some stay for a while and some are small gain-focused funds or institutions that are out on day one, making their money on the run up of the IPO. The end result: You’re left with hundreds, if not thousands, of shareholders. You have no clue who they are, what they represent, what their expectations are and, again, who they are.

I call them “boosters.” Boosters are a group of very intelligent, well-connected individuals that operate under the acronym “IRO” as a consultant and/or firm and want to help your company find new shareholders. It’s their job to make introductions to people in their networks. If you do well in presenting your story and delivering and your guidance is on target, you will find shareholders. Rinse and repeat with non-deal-road-show investor conferences and inbound interest. Before you know it, you’ve gone from 25 friends and family investors and one local fund in your network to more than 3,000 shareholders, some of which own up to 10 percent of the company. Then it hits you: You don’t know who these people are, who knows whom and if this even affects your company.

The Solution: Shareholder ID

It’s absolutely essential to the success of your public company that once a year you conduct a sound shareholder identification analysis. If you have sustained volume and people coming in and out of the story and people accumulating more and more, then you should consider hiring a firm to help manage this for each quarter. First, a robust Shareholder ID program will identify street positons in variant forms, objecting beneficial holders (OBO) and non-objecting beneficial holders (NOBO). Then, the program will identify the registered positions analysis to see if firms and individuals show up on both lists. A robust Shareholder ID program will not only highlight the brokers and banks that hold ownership, but also the underlying shareholder(s), and if that shareholder is party to another firm or group who also owns shares in your company. This is where activists come in; this is where share voting is greatly improved; and this is where real relationships are formed.

Every shareholder has a price horizon; it’s important you know this, for many reasons. One, you should understand how much time you invest in getting to know them, what else they invest in, whom they know, where they went to school and what they model your business out to be. The more you get to know your shareholder, the more you will understand these things. The more you understand these things, the quicker you can step up the shareholder base.

The more you get to know your shareholder, the more you will understand these things.

The more you understand these things, the quicker you can step up the shareholder base.

I’m a realist, and I enter a relationship with a shareholder knowing that if she/he makes a decision to purchase some shares in my company in the open market, most likely she/he will be my friend for a short period of time. This works. I don’t want a marriage — I have one. What I do want is to make them money, plain and simple. And I do that by executing my strategy, communicating my message and delivering. No disrespect intended when I say to any shareholder, either individual or firm/institution, that I want to sell when they’re ready and move on to the next one, to build a relationship with a new one, and repeat this process again. Every now and then, however, you find fans, regardless if they are high net worth people or firms, that love your business, your industry and you. They become the glue of your shareholder base, and they are rare. You might not even know who they really are.  Do you want your company’s biggest fans to be a stranger to you and your management team? I think not!

Do you want your company’s biggest fans to be a stranger to you and your management team?

Over the past 10 years, I have met hundreds of CEOs that don’t know their shareholders, don’t understand the mechanics of their shareholder base, and refuse to invest the time or resources in learning it. By contrast, I have met a very small percentage of C-level executives who get this simple exercise and have the best shareholder bases I have ever seen.

Ask your IRO, your outsourced IR firm or even your transfer or annual meeting management company for help. If they can’t do this for you, they should refer you to a trusted company that can.

This story was featured in the Service Providers magazine.

Learn more about Accesswire at https://www.accesswire.com/ and on the CSE website at https://thecse.com/en/services/services-for-listed-companies/accesswire.