🚀 3 updates from leading fintech, beverage, and energy companies

🔔 Your campaign updates feed

🪙 Expedier has some news! Expedier has joined the 2025 Africa Fintech Conference (AFTSDC25) as a sponsor and speaker. This event is Africa’s leading platform for fintech leaders, regulators, investors, and innovators, and is taking place in Washington DC on April 24th. Read more here.

Invest in Expedier | $498k Raised | 66% of target

🍷 Proxies is revolutionizing the market! The non-alcoholic wine market is projected to triple from $1.46B in 2022 to $4.5B by 2028. A growing 61% of Gen Z and 49% of Millennials are actively cutting back on alcohol resulting in new demand. Read more about their update here. 

Invest in Proxies | $1.5M Raised | 89% of target

⚡ VoltSafe is talking tax advantages! With tax season upon us, VoltSafe shares more about their RRSP and TFSA eligible investment. For BC investors, there’s also a 30% tax credit for investments greater than $5,000. Read more about their update here.

Invest in VoltSafe | $876k Raised | 117% of target

🔔 Alumni news

🏦 Manzil has been recognized as a notable Islamic fintech globally and ranked among the top 30 Islamic fintechs worldwide in the Global Islamic Fintech (GIFT) Report 2024. Read more about the recognition here.

🏠 CPI Capital welcomes FrontFundr Founder & CEO, Peter-Paul Van Hoeken, to their podcast to discuss the differences in raising capital between the US and Canada. Listen to the episode here.

🍁 Little Canada invited Kids Up Front Toronto to tour ‘Little Canada.’ The company donated tickets to help the organization create an unforgettable experience for its youth. Read more about it here.

🤔 What’s on our minds

Canada’s Capital Markets: A Pillar of Strength Amid Uncertainty

As Canadian financial institutions navigate an increasingly complex economic environment, the strength of the country’s capital markets has emerged as a critical factor in driving profitability. Recent earnings reports from major banks, including the Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank) and the Bank of Montreal (BMO), reveal that capital markets and wealth management sectors are outpacing expectations, helping offset potential headwinds in other areas such as lending and retail banking.

The Role of Capital Markets in Banking Resilience

Capital markets have historically been a robust revenue generator for banks, particularly in times of economic uncertainty. In the past quarter, Scotiabank and BMO both posted stronger-than-expected earnings, largely driven by heightened activity in:

• Investment Banking: Increased demand for merger and acquisition opportunities as companies seek to streamline operations or expand their reach.

• Trading Activities: Market volatility has led to increased trading, boosting fee-based revenues for banks engaged in securities and asset management.

• Advisory Services: Institutional investors are seeking guidance on navigating fluctuating interest rates and trade uncertainties.

• Alternative Asset Classes: Investors are turning to structured financial products in response to economic unpredictability.

• High-Net-Worth Clients: Demand for sophisticated portfolio strategies to manage inflationary pressures and shifting market dynamics.

• Digital Wealth Platforms: Expanded accessibility to financial planning has allowed institutions to capture a broader client base.

• Deepened Market Share: Banks are leveraging technology and advisory expertise to strengthen their foothold in wealth management services.

Importance of Strong Capital Markets for Private Markets Investors

Private market investors rely heavily on well-functioning capital markets to optimize their investment strategies. A robust capital market environment provides:

• Liquidity and Exit Opportunities: Strong capital markets ensure that private equity firms have multiple exit options, such as IPOs or secondary sales, enhancing potential returns.

• Valuation Stability: A stable and growing capital market contributes to more predictable valuations, reducing uncertainty for investors.

• Deal Flow and Investment Opportunities: When capital markets are strong, more companies seek funding, leading to an increase in M&A opportunities for private equity firms.

Despite strong capital markets performance, risks remain. One of the key challenges at this time is geopolitical uncertainty - changes in trade policies and global tensions may impact investment decisions.

The adaptability of Canadian financial institutions positions them well for continued success. By leveraging capital markets expertise, maintaining strong risk management practices, and diversifying revenue streams, banks can weather economic challenges while seizing new growth opportunities. As Canada’s economy evolves, capital markets will likely remain a key pillar of financial resilience and prosperity.

Read more about it here.