10 Years of Canadian Investment Innovation 🎉

🔔 Your campaign updates feed

⚽ Rovers is closing this Friday! Rovers FC wants to make sure their supporters have a seat at the table. There are 48 hours to complete your investment or to invite a friend to invest. The club’s Can Champ game in Winnipeg is close to being announced, so stay tuned! Read more.

Invest in Rovers FC | $285K Raised | 81% of target

🔔 Alumni updates

🏠 Key has been named to Proptech 30 by Proptech Collective! Key has been recognized as one of Canada’s top emerging proptech companies by Proptech Collective. Selected for its innovative approach to attainable homeownership, Key is helping reshape the future of real estate in Canada.

🩸 joni launches BLEED to champion period equity! In honour of Menstrual Health Day, Canadian period care company joni has launched BLEED: Period Stories to Be Shared—a powerful collection of 100+ real stories aimed at breaking taboos and advancing menstrual equity. All proceeds support access to period care for those in need.

🤔 What’s on our minds

Investing in Canada Starts at Home — and with You

This week, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) released its 2024 Venture Capital Landscape report—and the message is loud and clear: Canada needs to invest more in its own innovation economy.

While VC investment rose to $7.9 billion in 2024 (up 10% from 2023), the report reveals a troubling trend: foreign capital, especially from the U.S., is dominating later-stage deals, participating in over 60% of all Canadian VC deals and accounting for two-thirds of total disbursements.

But perhaps even more concerning is the slowdown in early-stage investing—the critical entry point for Canadian startups. As capital consolidates around fewer, later-stage winners, many promising new ventures are being left behind without the fuel to get off the ground.

At FrontFundr, we couldn’t agree more with BDC’s call to action.

We believe the future of Canadian innovation should be funded by Canadians. That’s why we built a platform where everyday people can invest directly in early-stage Canadian businesses—helping them launch, grow, and stay rooted here at home.

By backing early-stage companies through FrontFundr, you’re not just investing—you’re ensuring the next generation of Canadian innovation has the support it needs from day one.

Let’s keep Canada’s future in Canadian hands.

Let’s invest in it—together.

👉 Read the full BDC report here.

✍️ From our desk

A Personal Note: 10 Years Since Canada’s First Equity Crowdfunding Investment 🎉

Today—May 29th, 2025—marks exactly 10 years since the first-ever equity crowdfunding investment was made in Canada through FrontFundr. I remember that day clearly. What started as a bold idea has grown into a movement.

When I moved to Canada in 2010, I brought with me a vision rooted in my Dutch heritage—where, back in 1602, the world’s first equity crowdfunding campaign launched with the Dutch East India Company. It’s that same spirit of democratizing investment that inspired the creation of FrontFundr.

Since 2015, we’ve helped raise over $263 million, supported 250+ companies, and built a community of 53,000+ investors across the country. We’ve seen people invest in ski resorts like RED Mountain, fintech leaders like Blossom Social, and purpose-driven businesses like Persephone Brewing.

One of my most memorable moments came early on, when I found myself at a bar after a long day and noticed a Persephone coaster on the counter. I asked the bartender about it. He said he loved the beer—and added something I’ll never forget:

“You know what’s cool? You can actually invest in Persephone for as little as $250. They’re on this platform… called FrontFundr. I might invest myself.”

I smiled, pulled out my business card, and said, “Yeah… I think I will.”

That moment told me we were onto something real.

👉 Read my full 10-year reflection here.

Thank you for believing in this vision—and for helping build a more inclusive future for investing in Canada.

Peter-Paul Van Hoeken
Founder & CEO, FrontFundr

📌 FrontFundr bulletin

10 Years of FrontFundr. 1 Incredible Community. 🎉

We’re celebrating a decade of impact—and we want you there.
📍 June 10 | OneEleven, Toronto | 6:00–9:00 PM

Join us for an evening of celebration, featuring:

• ✨ A fireside chat with our Founder & CEO, Peter-Paul Van Hoeken, moderated by Joe Canavan (NACO Angel of the Year)

• ✨ A look back at some of the boldest milestones and campaigns in community capital

• ✨ Special recognition for Blossom Social and HOVR for their outstanding achievements this year

• ✨ Food, drinks, and a chance to connect with fellow investors and founders

We’re proud to mark this milestone with the people who made it possible—you.

🎟 RSVP now to save your spot →

Big thanks to our sponsors: Fasken, Potomac Growth, Western Pacific Trust Company, Become. Media, and HRU MIC.

Let’s raise a glass to the next 10 years of investing in what matters. 🥂

📣 In the News: FrontFundr Featured in Fintech Observer

We’re thrilled to be featured in today’s edition of Fintech Observer, spotlighting how FrontFundr is helping shape the future of private investing in Canada. The piece dives into our mission to democratize access to capital, the growth of equity crowdfunding, and the impact of everyday investors backing innovation.

👉 Read the full feature here →