Fintech

Bastion Square Partners Inc. Obtains Receipt for Its Final Prospectus

Published

3 years ago

August 5, 2021

Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – August 5, 2021) – Bastion Square Partners Inc. (the “Company“) is pleased to announce that it has filed and obtained a receipt for its final prospectus in connection with its $1.5 million initial public offering (the “IPO“). Haywood Securities Inc. is acting as the Company’s agent for the offering of 15 million common shares at a price of $0.10 per share. A copy of the final prospectus can be found on the Company’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

The Company has received conditional approval to list its common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange pursuant to the “capital pool company” program, subject to the completion of the IPO. On completion of the $1.5 million financing, the common shares of the Company will commence trading as a capital pool company under the ticker symbol “BASQ.P”. After the payment of fees and expenses, the Company clarifies that it will have an estimated $1,824,750 for identifying and evaluating assets or business prospects.

About Bastion Square Partners Inc.

The Company’s directors and officers completed a $500,000 seed round at $0.05 per share prior to the IPO. The members of the board are Peter Gustavson, (CEO and Chairman), Briony Bayer (CFO and Corporate Secretary), Tim McElvaine, Jeremy South, Mark Longo and Dr. Hannes Blum. To learn more about the Company, please visit: www.bastionsquarepartners.com.

Peter Gustavson, FCPA, FCA, is the founder, CEO and sole director of Gustavson Capital Corporation (“GCC“), a private equity firm with a head office in Victoria, BC. Peter is also the founder, former President and CEO of Custom House Ltd. one of the world’s largest non-bank foreign exchange companies with offices in seven countries, customers in 115 countries, more than $35 billion in transactions and more than 40,000 corporate customers worldwide. In September 2009, Custom House was purchased by Western Union for US$370 million. Under Peter’s leadership Custom House was named one of the 50 best-managed companies in Canada eight years in a row by Deloitte. Peter is a recipient of an Ernst & Young Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2002 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Vancouver Island Business Excellence Society in 2005. Peter is a commerce graduate with honours from the University of Manitoba in 1979 and obtained his Chartered Accountancy designation in 1982, and was awarded the title “Fellow Chartered Accountant” by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC in 2005.

Peter’s past board membership and community service include Member of the Board of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, President of the Canadian Foreign Exchange Dealers’ Association, Member of the University of Victoria School of Business Advisory Board, Participant in the Prime Minister’s Federal Trade missions (Moscow /Berlin /Munich and China, respectively) in 2002 and 2005, Consultant to the federal government on the creation of anti-money laundering and proceeds of crime legislation, Director and Chair Finance and Audit Committee Member of the Royal BC Museum, Chair of the Gustavson School of Business Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Committee and Governor of the University of Victoria Board of Governors. In 2010 the University of Victoria recognized Peter’s contributions to the University by renaming the Faculty of Business to the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business

Briony Bayer is a CPA, CA with over 15 years’ experience in senior finance roles. Briony is currently CFO of GCC where she has oversight responsibility for GCC’s assets, including securities portfolios, alternative investments, real estate assets, and subsidiaries. She is also responsible for due diligence and investment recommendation on the various private equity opportunities presented to GCC. Prior to joining GCC, Briony held senior finance roles at Custom House Ltd. (2005 – 2010) and ACD Systems International Inc., a publicly traded company listed on the TSX (2003 – 2005). Briony has also held board positions with privately held companies and not-for-profit organizations.

Tim McElvaine, CPA, CA, CFA, is the founder and President of McElvaine Investment Management Ltd., investment advisor to The McElvaine Investment Trust. Tim developed his value-oriented philosophy during his 12-year career with Peter Cundill & Associates Ltd. where, amongst other positions, he served as Manager of the Cundill Security Fund (1992-1999), Co-Manager of the Cundill Value Fund (1998-2003) and Chief Investment Officer (1998-2003). Tim has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen’s University in 1986, qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1988 and as a Chartered Financial Analyst in 1992. After working at Touche Ross in Toronto (1986-1989), Tim started his investment career with Bank of N.T. Butterfield in Bermuda (1989-1991) and joined Peter Cundill in 1991. Tim is currently a director of WeCommerce Holdings Ltd. and has served on the boards of Glacier Media Inc (2014-2019), Wow Unlimited Media Inc. (formerly Rainmaker Entertainment Inc.) (2007-2016), Humpty Dumpty Snack Foods (2005-2006) and Sun-Rype Products (2001-2005). Tim has been a speaker at value investing conferences including the Value Investing Seminar in Italy, Institute of Advanced Financial Planners Annual Symposium and The Ben Graham Centre’s Value Investing Conference in Toronto. In addition, Tim has appeared on BNN, Globe and Mail, Financial Post, Outstanding Investor Digest, Manual of Ideas and has been featured in the investment book Stock Market Superstars.

Jeremy South, CA, ICD.D, is a senior finance and M&A professional with over 35 years of experience with leading global organizations including Deutsche Bank and Deloitte. He has held senior positions with leading private equity and investment banking firms in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Jeremy is a qualified chartered accountant and was joint Managing Partner and Co-Founder at Second City Capital where he successfully invested in a number of private businesses across North America. From 2006 to 2016 Jeremy was an M&A partner at Deloitte where he founded the British Columbia mid-market M&A practice. While at Deloitte he spent four years in Beijing, where he built a global M&A practice and assembled a strong network of investors and corporate relationships across Asia. Jeremy has deep experience in the C suite across multiple sectors including technology, consumer business, financial services and mining. In 2017, Jeremy co-founded SouthPac Partners Inc., a private investment group focused on operating businesses and real estate assets. He is an experienced corporate director and board Chair, with public and private companies, and he holds the ICD.D designation.

Mark Longo, LL.B, MBA, is Co-Chair of the Emerging and High Growth Companies Group at the full-service, national law firm Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP. Mark founded the Osler Vancouver office in 2015 and has been the Vancouver office Managing Partner from inception and is a member of Osler’s national Operations Committee. Mark has over 25 years of experience in corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions and technology law focused on the technology sector. Prior to joining Osler, Mark founded and was a Partner in the Vancouver office of the law firm LaBarge Weinstein LLP from 2012 to 2015. From 2009 to 2012, Mark was a Partner in the Corporate Finance and Technology groups of the Vancouver law firm Clark Wilson LLP. Previous to his return to private practice, Mark spent 15 years as General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and in senior executive positions for private and publicly traded multinational technology companies, including Intrinsyc Technologies Corp. from 2007 to 2009 (TSX-listed technology company headquartered in Vancouver acquired by Lantronix), Datawire Communication Networks Inc. from 2001 to 2007 (venture backed fintech company headquartered in Toronto acquired by First Data Corp.) and Star Data Systems Inc. from 1996 to 2001 (TSX-listed fintech company headquartered in Toronto acquired by CGI Group).

Mark is a founding Director and member of the Audit Committee of the Foresight Cleantech Accelerator Centre and is formerly a Director and Chair of the Governance Committee of the Victoria Innovation, Advanced Technology and Entrepreneurship Council (VIATEC). Mark is ranked as a leading lawyer in the areas of startups and emerging companies, corporate mid-market, technology and capital markets by legal ranking publications Chambers & Partners, Lexpert and IFLR. Mark obtained his MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario, his LL.B. from Queen’s University and his Bachelor of Arts (Economics and Political Science) from McGill University.

Dr. Hannes Blum, PhD, is a seasoned executive with a broad know-how in the digital world from start-ups to large scale operations. He started his career with The Boston Consulting Group working with multinationals in the Financial and Industrial Goods sector after finishing his Masters in Business and Engineering in Germany. In 1999, Hannes founded his first internet company in Europe and merged it with Canada based AbeBooks Inc. in 2001. Hannes then took over as CEO of AbeBooks in 2003, scaled the business and acquired five companies before selling AbeBooks to Amazon.com in 2008. Hannes continued to serve as a VP for Amazon.com for seven years before joining Munich based Growth Venture Fund Acton Capital Partners as a Venture Partner for North America in 2015. Hannes has served on the board of directors of a number of private companies, including Codename Entertainment, Maple Telehealth, Mobify, Chef’s Plate and Knix Wear

For further information about the Company, please contact:

Mr. Peter Gustavson, CEO, Chairman & Director
Email: [email protected]

Ms. Briony Bayer, CEO, Corporate Secretary & Director
Telephone: 250-412-1292
Email: [email protected]

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The securities described herein have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements under the U.S. Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws.

Certain information contained herein constitutes “forward-looking information” under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the final prospectus, completion of the offering and listing the Company’s common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “will” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “will” occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including: the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, use of proceeds from the financing, capital expenditures and other costs, and financing and additional capital requirements. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that is incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE US OR TO US NEWSIRE SERVICES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/91737

Fintech

Fintech Pulse: A Daily Dive into Industry Innovations and Developments

Published

32 minutes ago

November 26, 2024

Peter Tolan

fintech-pulse:-a-daily-dive-into-industry-innovations-and-developments

The financial technology sector continues to evolve at a rapid pace, offering innovations that disrupt traditional paradigms. Today’s briefing underscores fintech’s diverse growth avenues: from substantial venture capital plays and strategic partnerships to groundbreaking implementations in lending. Here’s a closer look at recent developments shaping the landscape.

Synapse’s Comeback and Andreessen Horowitz’s Strategic Bet

Source: Axios
Synapse, a financial infrastructure company previously embattled by controversy, is staging a remarkable comeback, backed by none other than venture capital heavyweight Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). With this new infusion of funds, Synapse aims to consolidate its position as a premier platform for building financial services tools.

This resurgence demonstrates the resilience of the fintech ecosystem, where innovation often prevails over turbulence. Synapse’s renewed vigor also signals that top-tier investors remain bullish on infrastructural solutions pivotal to the future of digital finance. Andreessen Horowitz’s participation not only validates Synapse’s model but also underscores the VC giant’s enduring interest in fintech infrastructure, even amid global economic uncertainties.

Analysis:
This partnership exemplifies the dynamism within fintech, highlighting the interplay of innovation, capital, and resilience. It also raises questions about the broader implications of giving second chances to firms with turbulent histories. While Synapse’s evolution could inspire others, it also places a spotlight on governance and accountability in high-growth sectors.

Israel’s Fintech Scene Gets a Boost with Investment in Finova Capital

Source: Calcalistech
Israeli fintech startup Finova Capital has raised an impressive $20 million in a funding round led by prominent institutional investors. This marks a significant milestone for the company as it seeks to expand its suite of financial solutions aimed at underserved markets.

Israel’s fintech ecosystem has long been recognized as a hub of innovation, and this latest investment only reinforces its global standing. Finova Capital’s focus on empowering smaller businesses and fostering financial inclusivity aligns with emerging trends where tech-driven solutions bridge critical gaps in financial services.

Analysis:
With this funding, Finova is poised to enhance its technological offerings while contributing to economic inclusion. However, the broader fintech industry will watch closely to see how the company leverages this capital amid increasing competition from regional and global players.

India’s Yubi Plans a Fundraising Push

Source: Bloomberg
Yubi, a prominent Indian fintech platform backed by Insight Partners, is reportedly preparing for a new fundraising round. Having already established itself as a leader in credit infrastructure, Yubi aims to bolster its offerings and expand its market footprint.

India’s fintech landscape is witnessing explosive growth, with platforms like Yubi playing a critical role in the credit ecosystem. Yubi’s planned fundraising reflects the broader appetite for scaling solutions that streamline credit access, particularly in emerging markets where traditional lending models often fall short.

Analysis:
This development highlights two key trends: the increasing reliance on credit platforms in high-growth economies and the strategic role of international investors like Insight Partners in driving fintech innovation. Yubi’s expansion plans could set a precedent for other regional fintech players seeking to scale amid global economic headwinds.

Provenir and Hastings Financial Services Win Global Recognition

Source: Business Wire
In a testament to the transformative power of digital lending solutions, Provenir and Hastings Financial Services have been jointly recognized for the Best Digital Lending Implementation at the IBSi Global Fintech Innovation Awards. This accolade underscores the success of their collaboration in modernizing the lending process through cutting-edge technology.

Provenir’s advanced decision-making platform and Hastings Financial Services’ lending expertise have delivered a solution that significantly enhances user experience, operational efficiency, and risk management. Such innovations highlight the increasing role of partnerships in advancing fintech’s digital transformation.

Analysis:
This recognition not only validates the efficacy of digital lending but also emphasizes the importance of partnerships in driving innovation. It signals to the industry that collaboration can be a powerful tool for staying ahead in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Microf and Quantum Financial Technologies Forge New Alliances

Source: PR Newswire
Microf, a financial solutions provider, has announced a strategic partnership with Quantum Financial Technologies. This collaboration aims to expand lending solutions for contractors, providing streamlined access to capital for businesses in need of flexible financing options.

This partnership is a timely response to the growing demand for specialized financial products in niche markets. By leveraging Quantum’s technology, Microf can now offer more tailored solutions, particularly to contractors navigating complex financial requirements.

Analysis:
This development reflects a growing trend: the diversification of fintech offerings to serve specific market segments. As competition in mainstream fintech intensifies, targeting underserved niches could become a defining strategy for success.

Key Takeaways for the Fintech Ecosystem

Resilience in Fintech Funding: Despite economic uncertainties, venture capital continues to fuel innovative fintech players like Synapse and Finova Capital.
Regional Growth Stories: From Israel to India, fintech ecosystems are thriving, attracting global attention and investment.
Collaboration as a Catalyst: The success of partnerships like Provenir-Hastings and Microf-Quantum underscores the importance of strategic alliances.
The Power of Recognition: Awards like the IBSi Fintech Innovation Awards validate industry achievements, inspiring others to push the envelope.
Focus on Inclusion: Whether through credit platforms or lending solutions, fintech is playing a pivotal role in fostering financial inclusivity worldwide.

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

The fintech sector’s journey is far from linear. Regulatory complexities, technological disruptions, and market volatility remain persistent challenges. However, as seen in today’s developments, the opportunities far outweigh the risks. By prioritizing innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity, fintech players can navigate the complexities of the global financial landscape.

This moment in fintech history is pivotal. It’s a time for bold decisions, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to bridging financial divides. As industry players rise to the occasion, the road ahead promises a future where technology and finance intertwine to empower individuals and businesses alike.

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Fintech

Fintech Latvia Association Releases Fintech Pulse 2024: A Guide to Latvia’s Growing Fintech Hub

Published

1 day ago

November 25, 2024

Adrienn Sarkany

fintech-latvia-association-releases-fintech-pulse-2024:-a-guide-to-latvia’s-growing-fintech-hub

The Fintech Latvia Association has launched the latest edition of its annual publication, Fintech Pulse 2024, unveiling insights and resources that position Latvia as a thriving hub for European fintech.

Announced at this year’s Fintech Forum, the magazine is now available in digital format, offering a comprehensive guide for fintech professionals and entrepreneurs navigating the Latvian market and exploring its advantages.

This issue covers essential topics, from support tools provided by Latvijas Banka and newcomer roadmaps to Riga’s investor resources and fintech education opportunities. Readers will find the latest fintech news from Latvia, coverage of this year’s key industry events, and member insights on the future of fintech. The Fintech Landscape section provides a comprehensive overview of the Latvian fintech ecosystem.

Tina Lūse, Managing Director of Fintech Latvia Association, expressed excitement about the ecosystem’s growth: “We are excited to unveil the third annual edition of Fintech Pulse. This year has been pivotal for our ecosystem, and together with public sector stakeholders, we are enhancing financial inclusion, democratizing investments, and driving innovation throughout the sector. This is a testament to Latvia’s emergence as a fintech hub, establishing itself as an equal partner in innovation and support within the Baltic region.”

Minister of Finance Arvils Ašeradens highlighted Latvia’s fintech potential in the magazine, stating: “Latvia has already made strides in adapting its regulatory framework to support a stable financial system. Now, we encourage financial market players to invest in modern technologies to meet the growing demand for inclusive financial services and solidify Latvia’s position in the fintech landscape. We are confident that with the combined offer of the government, Latvijas Banka and Riga city, we are a great place to start your next scalable European FinTech!”

Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis expressed Latvia’s ambition in the magazine, stating: “Latvia wants to become a WEB 3.0. innovation hub and solidify itself as one of the leaders of a newly regulated EU crypto-asset market. We welcome international companies to choose Latvia, a flexible and fast-paced country, where you can obtain a MICA license in just 3 months. Open your office in Latvia, receive a MICA license and serve the whole EU market!”

The Fintech Latvia Association brings together fintech and non-banking financial service providers to represent their interests at both the national and international levels. It promotes sustainable development in Latvia’s financial sector by fostering reliable, responsible, and long-term industry practices that earn trust from consumers and regulatory authorities. The association is committed to supporting innovation and growth opportunities within the fintech landscape.

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Fintech

Quantum Security and the Financial Sector: Paving the Way for a Resilient Future

Published

1 day ago

November 25, 2024

Zoltan Tundik

quantum-security-and-the-financial-sector:-paving-the-way-for-a-resilient-future

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released a pivotal white paper in collaboration with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), titled “Quantum Security for the Financial Sector: Informing Global Regulatory Approaches”. This January 2024 publication underscores the urgent need for global cooperation as the financial sector transitions from a digital economy to a quantum economy, highlighting both the immense opportunities and cybersecurity challenges posed by quantum computing.

Quantum: A Double-Edged Sword for Finance

Quantum computing offers transformative benefits for the financial sector, such as accelerated portfolio optimization, enhanced fraud detection, and improved risk management. Yet, it simultaneously threatens the very foundation of cybersecurity. With quantum’s ability to break traditional encryption methods, sensitive data and financial transactions face significant risks. The white paper warns that such vulnerabilities could erode trust in the financial system and destabilize global markets.

The urgency to prepare is evident, with some quantum threats, such as “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later” attacks, already emerging. Governments and regulators, including the United States with its National Security Memorandum on Quantum (2022), have begun advocating for quantum security readiness by 2035. However, as noted in the paper, transitioning to a quantum-secure infrastructure is a monumental task requiring unprecedented coordination between regulators, industry leaders, and technology providers.

A Collaborative Framework: Four Guiding Principles

To address the complex challenges posed by quantum technologies, the WEF and FCA have proposed four guiding principles to inform global regulatory and industry approaches:

Reuse and Repurpose: Leverage existing regulatory frameworks and tools to address quantum risks, rather than creating entirely new systems.
Establish Non-Negotiables: Define baseline requirements for quantum security, ensuring consistency and interoperability across organizations and jurisdictions.
Increase Transparency: Foster open communication between regulators and industry players to share best practices, strategies, and knowledge.
Avoid Fragmentation: Prioritize global collaboration to harmonize regulatory efforts and avoid inconsistencies that could burden multinational organizations.

These principles aim to create a unified, forward-looking strategy that balances innovation with security.

A Four-Phase Roadmap for Quantum Security

The white paper introduces a phased roadmap to help the financial sector transition toward quantum security:

Prepare: Raise awareness of quantum risks, assess cryptographic infrastructure, and build internal capabilities.
Clarify: Formalize engagement between stakeholders, map current regulations, and model the cost and complexities of transitioning to quantum-safe systems.
Guide: Address regulatory gaps, translate technical standards into actionable frameworks, and develop industry-wide best practices.
Transition and Monitor: Implement cryptographic management modernization and adopt iterative, adaptable regulatory approaches to remain resilient in the quantum economy.

This roadmap emphasizes adaptability, encouraging stakeholders to continuously refine their strategies as quantum technologies evolve.

The Path Forward: Collaboration as a Catalyst

The transition to a quantum-secure financial sector is not merely a technological shift but a comprehensive rethinking of how industries and regulators approach cybersecurity. The interconnected nature of global finance means that collaboration between mature and emerging markets is crucial to avoid vulnerabilities that could undermine the entire system.

Regulators and financial institutions must act with urgency. As Sebastian Buckup, Head of Network and Partnerships at the World Economic Forum, notes in the report:
“The quantum economy era is fast approaching, and we need a global public-private approach to address the complexities it will introduce. We welcome this opportunity to collaborate with the FCA to chart the roadmap for a seamless and secure transition for the financial services sector.”

Similarly, Suman Ziaullah, Head of Technology, Resilience, and Cyber at the FCA, emphasizes:
“Quantum computing presents considerable opportunities but also threats. The financial sector relies heavily on encryption to protect sensitive information, the exposure of which could cause significant harm to consumers and markets. Addressing this requires a truly collaborative effort to transition to a quantum-secure future.”

Global Impact: Ensuring Resilience in an Evolving Landscape

As quantum technologies mature, they will redefine the landscape of cybersecurity. The financial sector, as one of the most sensitive and interconnected industries, must prioritize preparedness to ensure stability, protect consumers, and maintain trust.

The Quantum Security for the Financial Sector: Informing Global Regulatory Approaches white paper offers an essential foundation for continued dialogue and action. By adhering to the guiding principles and roadmap outlined in the report, stakeholders can navigate this transformation with foresight and cooperation.

The full report, published by the World Economic Forum, highlights the need for a unified global approach to quantum security, serving as a rallying call for industry and regulatory leaders alike.

Source: World Economic Forum, “Quantum Security for the Financial Sector: Informing Global Regulatory Approaches”, January 2024.

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