Today marks exactly 10 years since the very first equity crowdfunding investment was made in Canada—right here on FrontFundr, on May 29th, 2015. From that historic moment to record-breaking campaigns in 2024, we’ve spent the past decade reshaping who gets to invest and who gets funded.
As the founder of FrontFundr—and a Dutch immigrant who came to Canada with my family in 2010—I like to put this milestone in historical perspective. Did you know the first-ever equity crowdfunding campaign happened over 400 years ago, in 1602, in the Netherlands? That’s when the Dutch East India Company (VOC) became the world’s first joint-stock company to offer shares to the general public—allowing people from all social classes, not just the elite, to invest.
That spirit of democratization is the essence of equity crowdfunding: pooling capital from many individuals in exchange for ownership shares. FrontFundr has brought that 17th-century idea into the 21st century here in Canada.
We’ve worked closely with Canadian securities regulators to establish crowdfunding rules, developed proprietary technology to give investors a seamless experience, and provided capital raisers with real-time insights into their campaigns.
As we shared in our 2024 Annual Community Capital Report, we’re proud of what we’ve built: over 250 successful campaigns, more than $263 million raised, and a community of over 53,000 investors.
One of my fondest memories from our early days is from a quiet Thursday night on the Sunshine Coast in BC. I had missed my connection and stopped in at a local bar, where I noticed a coaster featuring Persephone Brewery. I struck up a conversation with the bartender, who told me he liked their beer—and that anyone could invest in Persephone through FrontFundr for as little as $250. When I pulled out my business card, we shared a laugh. That moment confirmed we were onto something special.
Over the years, our platform has grown into a launchpad for Canadian companies of all kinds. In 2018, we were honoured to receive the Crowdfunding Innovation Deal of the Year Award from the Private Capital Markets Association of Canada for the RED Mountain ski resort campaign.
And in 2024, we had the privilege of joining Hempalta at the Toronto Stock Exchange to celebrate their public listing. Witnessing a former FrontFundr campaign take that monumental next step—from raising early-stage capital with our community to ringing the bell at the TSX—was a powerful reminder of why we do this work.
Earlier this month, I also attended Blossom Social’s market closing event at TMX Group in Toronto, celebrating their record-breaking equity crowdfunding raise on FrontFundr. It was more than a ceremony—it was a celebration of how far equity crowdfunding in Canada has come. There, I met many investors who shared their stories—the excitement of investing in startups, their experiences with FrontFundr, and their ideas on how we can improve. Real people, real stories, real impact.
Equity crowdfunding in Canada has grown steadily over the past decade, and as FrontFundr celebrates its 10th anniversary, we remain at the forefront of the global movement to democratize private markets. We’re committed to expanding opportunities for Canadians to invest in the businesses and causes they believe in.
FrontFundr wouldn’t be here without the relentless efforts of our employees—past and present—and the trust of our investors and capital raisers. You are the true change-makers driving the democratization of private markets.
Nothing captures the spirit of our times quite like the opening of private capital markets. I’m excited to continue building an open, accessible, and modern investment landscape here in Canada—and beyond.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Peter-Paul Van Hoeken
Founder & CEO, FrontFundr
Giving everyone access to early-stage startup investing.
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