It All Started with the JOBS Act

This month, we launched our newest series, KoreTalkX, during which we have hosted exciting, one-on-one conversations with industry experts to expand the knowledge base on capital raising in the private markets. We’re recapping the episodes so far and look forward to the next live event on Tuesday, May 31st, when Dr. Kiran Garimella (CTO, KoreConX) and Andrew Bull (Founding Memeber), Bull Blockchain Law) discuss digital securities. 

 

KoreTalkX #1: 10th Anniversary of the JOBS Act

In this conversation, David Weild IV, Father of the JOBS Act, and Oscar Jofre discuss the importance of the JOBS Act concerning small businesses and entrepreneurship. An important focus has been how the Act has helped increase innovation and expand access to capital for smaller companies, which is crucial for paving a brighter future.

 

Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Amazon, or iTunes!

 

KoreTalkX #2: How Can ESG Reshape Capital Raising?

This talk between Peter Daneyko and Paul Karrlsson-Willis, CEO of Justly Markets, discusses impact investing and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) criteria. Since the JOBS Act has allowed more people to invest in companies and given rise to the popularity of crowdfunding and investing for non-accredited investors, they discuss how many people are investing in businesses with missions they’re passionate about. 

 

Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Amazon, or iTunes!

 

KoreTalkX #3: How to Start and Manage a Cap Table?

In this discussion, Amanda Grange and Matthew McNamara, Managing Partner at Assurance Dimensions, talk about starting and managing a cap table. A primary focus is how the SEC compliance guidelines protect companies and how a good transfer agent will help a company stay within those guidelines. They also talk about how a well-managed and structured cap table can streamline a raise.

 

Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Amazon, or iTunes!

 

KoreTalkX #4: Thoughts on Investor Acquisition

Jason Futko and Tim Martinez, co-founder of Digital Niche Agency, talk about how to acquire investors for your startup. They highlight how important it is to have a good strategy before launching your campaign and how companies have a powerful opportunity to transform investors and customers into brand ambassadors. Additionally, they suggest entrepreneurs be prepared for a long marathon to achieve success and how to help achieve this in today’s climate.

 

Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Amazon, or iTunes!

 

KorePartner Spotlight: Paul Karrlsson-Willis, CEO of JUSTLY

With the recent launch of the KoreConX all-in-one platform, KoreConX is happy to feature the partners contributing to its ecosystem. 

 

Paul Karrlsson-Willis is the CEO of JUSTLY, a registered broker-dealer designed for companies to promote their ESG profiles as the demand for socially conscious businesses continues to skyrocket. Nearly a quarter of the $400 billion investments ESG-focused private capital between 2015 and 2020 was invested last year alone. Paul has over 30 years of experience in financial services businesses and has expertise in building out a company’s global footprint.

 

We took some time to speak with Paul to learn more about himself and his firm. Here’s what he had to say. 

 

Why did you become involved in this industry?  

 

When I left school there was major unemployment in the UK so the government came up with the “youth opportunity scheme” which was an intern program at various companies which the government-funded. I was fortunate to be accepted into this program by the London Stock Exchange who placed me with a broker-dealer, Capel-Cure Myers, and never looked back.

 

What services does your company provide for RegA+ offerings? 

 

We can offer everything from front to back for Reg A+, Reg CF, and Reg. D as a result of having great partners such as KoreConX. Our true value is in our ability to work with the issuers and understand their businesses and needs. Our parent company–Ideanomics (NASDAQ: IDEX)–started no different from the issuers we support and still invests in private equity companies. It’s in our DNA.  

 

What are your unique areas of expertise? 

 

Over my 30+ career, I have continually been given various businesses, products, and groups to build or rejuvenate, many have gone on to be leaders in their space. A good example was when Fidelity hired me in the UK to build a global trading product for their retail clients base, knowing I had no experience in foreign equities and this was after 3 previous attempts had failed. We were up and running in 3 months and when they asked me to come to the US to do the same, the UK business was profitable. At Fidelity Capital Markets (US) we went from being only able to do everything in USD, to being fully multi-currency, able to trade in over 47 countries in real-time. As a result, Fidelity retail was the first retail US broker-dealer to offer global trading in real-time. I’ve been very fortunate to have worked my way up through the business and therefore know how things get from A to Z and the issues you will come across.  I love to learn; I hate being the smartest person in the room, which is why I try to make sure I have a team that is knowledgeable and feels empowered. I’m very passionate and treat everything I build as part of me, as I believe it reflects on me personally.

 

What excites you about this industry? 

 

Up until now, not very much. It’s been a job I have always put more than 100% into to support my wonderful family. JUSTLY has given me the ability to build something that can genuinely make an impact and help others. Every day, I think about making a difference and not feeding the machine or massaging someone’s ego. Don’t get me wrong, my job is to generate revenue and make JUSTLY profitable, but by making that difference, we will as they go hand-in-hand.

 

How is a partnership with KoreConX the right fit for your company?  

 

KoreConX has the complete platform, amazing expertise and therefore enables JUSTLY to focus on making an IMPACT! True success is never achieved on your own; you need a team and great partners. There is no better partner in this space than KoreConX.