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The Role of the OSC in Startup Fundraising with Alex Morsink of Equivesto

Startup Talk · February 6, 2025

The Role of the OSC in Startup Fundraising with Alex Morsink of Equivesto In this episode of the Startup Talk Podcast, we dive deep into the Role of the OSC in Startup Fundraising with Alex Morsink, Managing Director of Equivesto. Alex shares valuable insights into how the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) and other provincial securities […]

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The Role of the OSC in Startup Fundraising with Alex Morsink of Equivesto
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Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

The Role of the OSC in Startup Fundraising with Alex Morsink of Equivesto

In this episode of the Startup Talk Podcast, we dive deep into the Role of the OSC in Startup Fundraising with Alex Morsink, Managing Director of Equivesto. Alex shares valuable insights into how the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) and other provincial securities bodies regulate and support startups in their fundraising efforts. From ensuring investor protection to enforcing compliance for issuers, this discussion unpacks the crucial responsibilities of the OSC in Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Key Topics Covered

  1. What is the Role of the OSC in Startup Fundraising?
    • Alex explains how the OSC oversees securities exchanges and ensures transparent and safe transactions in both private and public markets.
    • Examples of securities regulated by the OSC, including shares, convertible notes, and cryptocurrency.
  2. Why Compliance Matters for Startups
    • Learn why startups must adhere to specific regulations when issuing securities.
    • The importance of transparency and investor protection in building trust and credibility.
  3. How the OSC Regulates Cryptocurrency
    • A detailed overview of the OSC’s stance on cryptocurrency as a security and its implications for fundraising.
  4. Navigating Private vs. Public Company Regulations
    • Understanding the difference in regulatory requirements between private and public companies.

Guest Spotlight: Alex Morsink

Alex Morsink is the Managing Director of Equivesto, an innovative equity crowdfunding platform enabling startups and small businesses to raise capital from investors. With his deep expertise in securities regulations, Alex provides actionable advice for entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of fundraising in Canada.

Notable Quotes

  • “The Role of the OSC in Startup Fundraising isn’t just about compliance—it’s about building a safe and transparent marketplace where startups can thrive.”
  • “Understanding securities regulations is essential for any founder seeking investment.”

Connect with Alex Morsink and Equivesto

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• Futuretech Podcast – Explore more episodes and stay updated with the latest in technology and innovation.
• Startup Talk Podcast – https://torontostarts.com/startup-talk-toronto-startup-podcast/
• Who Are These Startups Podcast
• Startup Investor Drinks – Join the community and connect with fellow startup enthusiasts and investors.
• TorontoStarts Startup and Entrepreneur Community – Become a part of Toronto’s thriving startup ecosystem.
• Workhaus – Discover flexible workspace solutions for your business needs.
• Work with The Startup Coach – Get expert guidance and mentorship for your startup journey.
• Reach out to Jon Irwin on LinkedIn – Connect with our co-host and technology expert.

Ontario Startup Ecosystem Links

• Ontario’s Startup Ecosystem
• Startup Funding in Ontario
• Angel Investors in Ontario
• Ontario Incubators and Accelerators
• Venture Capital in Ontario: Top Firms, Sectors, and Funding Strategies
• Government Grants for Ontario Startups
• Ontario’s Startup Success Stories
• Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
• Bank Loans and Financing for Startups in Ontario
• Research and Development Tax Credits in Ontario
• Government Loans and Financing for Startups in Ontario
• Equity Crowdfunding for Ontario Startups
• Toronto Entrepreneurs Resources
• Toronto’s Food and Beverage Entrepreneurs: Trends, Challenges, and Success Stories
• SEO Strategies for Toronto Entrepreneurs: Enhance Your Online Visibility
• Social Impact for Toronto Entrepreneurs: Starting and Running a Socially Responsible Business
• Toronto Arts and Media Entrepreneurs: Inspiring Profiles and Insights for Creative Success
• Exploring Toronto Green Tech Entrepreneurs: Innovators and Leaders in Sustainability
• Building a Team for Toronto Entrepreneurs: Strategies for Success
• A Guide for Toronto Food and Beverage Entrepreneurs
• Toronto Fashion and Retail Entrepreneurs: Trends, Opportunities, and Success Stories

Episode transcript

Read the full transcript

Speaker 0: can you explain the role of the ontario securities commission and other provincial bodies in start up seeking investment?

Speaker 1: absolutely. so the ontario securities commission or any securities commission, they regulate and control all securities related exchanges, marketplaces, trading, buying, and selling, essentially across their whole province. and so anytime there's securities being exchanged, that usually would fall under the purview of the securities regulators. so, one, they wanna make sure that investors going into and buying private securities are kept safe and given the right information they need so that they're not confused or, you know, misled about what they're buying. on the flip side, they wanna make sure that the people issuing the securities are doing that in the compliant way, in a way that's transparent and very clear to investors about what they're buying and what the company does. and then overall, they're very much focused on protecting the market and the sort of all the participants in the market as a whole. so they wanna make sure there's no fraudulent transactions going on. they wanna make sure that everyone is being able to transact and engage in the exchange of securities in a safe and secure way. so for example, cryptocurrency is fully regulated under the ontario securities commission because crypto currency is typically a security. anytime a private company is buying and selling shares, those shares are securities. a good way of thinking about security is any sort of exchangeable asset tied to the ownership or control of a business. so pretty much all shares are securities, but also any sort of debt vehicle. so if you're buying debt units or bonds, though or convertible notes or safes, those are also securities. so all of those, you know, derivatives, you know, swaps, forwards, those are also securities. so the osc also regulates, for example, the toronto stock exchange. they regulate all of the public companies, but they also regulate all of the private companies. just because we're private doesn't mean we get to escape regulatory oversight. there's just different rules that are a lot simpler because typically private companies are not as large and complex as public ones.

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