Building a Stronger Future for Regulated Investment Crowdfunding

Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work. Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, LG or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube. Devin: What is your superpower? Jenny: Inclusive capital advocacy. The future of regulated investment crowdfunding is being shaped not just by markets but by the voices that advocate for fair, effective policies in Washington. Jenny Kassan, President of the Crowdfunding Professional Association (CfPA), has emerged as a leading champion of this work. The association’s upcoming summit and the advocacy efforts that precede it illustrate the growing momentum behind this movement. Jenny explained, “The Crowdfunding Professional Association represents the crowdfunding industry, the regulated investment crowdfunding industry. This is everyone who’s involved in trying to make it easier for small businesses, entrepreneurs, changemakers, artists, everyone who has the ability to offer an investment opportunity to be able to offer it to everybody, everybody in the country.” The October summit in Washington, D.C., highlights the growing traction of this movement. Jenny shared that this year, the CfPA is securing more meetings with members of Congress and the Senate who influence financial market rules. That progress signals a growing recognition of the industry’s role in democratizing access to capital. Speakers at the summit will include SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, known for her balanced approach to fostering innovation while maintaining sensible regulation, and James Murphy from FINRA, the body overseeing day-to-day regulation of crowdfunding platforms. These perspectives, alongside industry leaders like Mark Elenowitz, will help issuers, investors, and platforms better navigate the complex regulatory landscape. Jenny was candid about the rapid changes unfolding in this space, especially around emerging technologies like crypto. “The industry is really evolving quickly. Even though there haven’t been any law changes yet, there’s been a huge, huge evolution and rapid change in the space,” she noted. Panels on crypto and digital assets will explore how innovation intersects with regulation, underscoring the importance of ongoing dialogue with policymakers. The CfPA summit is more than a conference. It is the culmination of months of advocacy, uniting stakeholders to strengthen the rules that govern investment crowdfunding. By convening entrepreneurs, investors, regulators, and industry professionals, the event will serve as a platform to share knowledge, influence policy, and build momentum for greater capital access. Jenny’s leadership highlights that regulated investment crowdfunding is still young but brimming with potential. Her efforts—and those of the CfPA—help ensure the system grows into a tool that works for everyone. tl;dr: Jenny Kassan explained how the Crowdfunding Professional Association advocates in Washington to strengthen rules for regulated investment crowdfunding. She shared details about the upcoming summit, including meetings with legislators, regulators, and key industry experts. Jenny emphasized the importance of balanced regulation, highlighting insights from SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce and FINRA’s James Murphy. She described how crowdfunding empowers underrepresented entrepreneurs, often outperforming traditional fundraising sources like venture capital and banks. Jenny encouraged participation in the CfPA and its summit, reminding listeners that inclusive access to capital benefits everyone. How to Develop Inclusive Capital Advocacy As a Superpower Jenny described her superpower as her ability to advocate for inclusive access to capital. She explained that her passion lies in helping entrepreneurs—especially those underrepresented in traditional finance—gain the resources they need to thrive. As she put it, “We see like women, people of color, people that don’t come from the top schools or from wealthy families often are quite successful with regulation crowdfunding, sometimes even more so. That’s the reason I love the tool so much.” Her superpower is evident in her consistent championing of entrepreneurs who face barriers to traditional funding. By focusing on regulated investment crowdfunding, she empowers founders to bypass gatekeepers and reach communities of investors who share their vision. One story illustrates this clearly: Jenny highlighted data showing that diverse and under-resourced founders often raise more successfully through crowdfunding than through venture capital, angel groups, or banks. That success proves that crowdfunding levels the playing field. For Jenny, seeing women and people of color outperform traditional fundraising norms affirms the power of her mission. Jenny offered valuable insights for developing this superpower: Recognize who is excluded by traditional systems and design new ways to include them. Focus on building tools and structures that make participation easier for everyone. Ground advocacy in data that demonstrates success outside the status quo. Persist in championing change even when mainstream systems resist. By following Jenny’s example and advice, you can make inclusive capital advocacy a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world. Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you! Guest Profile Jenny Kassan (she/her): President, Crowdfunding Professional Association About Crowdfunding Professional Association: The Crowdfunding Professional Association (CfPA) is a 501 (c)(6) nonprofit trade organization established by numerous authors and contributors to the Jumpstart Our Business Startup Act (“JOBS Act”) on April 5, 2012. The CfPA is dedicated to representing the Crowdfunding industry and supporting the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) while providing the industry with education, a professional network and the tools necessary to cultivate and balance a healthy ecosystem that will accelerate capital formation and ensure investor protection whenever possible. Join our association at https://www.crowdfundingecosystem.com/join or get your company listed with a microsite in the CfPA online ECO directory at: https://www.crowdfundingecosystem.com/upgrade/upgrade Website: crowdfundingecosystem.com Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/crowdfunding-professional-association Company Facebook Page: facebook.com/CrowdfundingProfessionalAssociation Other URL: events.humanitix.com/regulated-investment-crowdfunding-summit-2025 Biographical Information: Jenny Kassan is an attorney, community economic development leader, and nationally recognized advocate for mission-driven entrepreneurship. With nearly 30 years of experience, she has dedicated her career to helping founders raise capital on their own terms while building wealth that stays rooted in local communities. She is the CEO of Baltimore Community Commons, which fosters investment access, knowledge sharing, and mutual aid, and the owner of The Kassan Group, a boutique law firm serving impact entrepreneurs. Jenny is also the author of Raise Capital on Your Own Terms: How to Fund Your Business Without Selling Your Soul and a frequent speaker on innovative finance, sustainable business, and community wealth building. Jenny’s leadership extends across the national crowdfunding and economic justice ecosystem. She currently serves as President of the Crowdfunding Professional Association and President of Community Ventures, and previously co-founded CrowdFund Main Street and the Sustainable Economies Law Center. Her public service includes serving on the Fremont City Council, advising the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on small and emerging companies, and directing community projects at the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. A graduate of Yale Law School and UC Berkeley, Jenny continues to shape policies and practices that empower entrepreneurs while advancing a more equitable economy. X/Twitter Handle: @jennykassan Personal Facebook Profile: facebook.com/jenny.kassan Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jennykassan Instagram Handle: @thekassangroup Support Our Sponsors Our generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today’s advertisers include FundingHope, Rancho Affordable Housing (Proactive), and Power Up October. Learn more about advertising with us here. Max-Impact Members The following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support: Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Hiten Sonpal, RISE Robotics | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Mark Grimes, Networked Enterprise Development | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Dr. Nicole Paulk, Siren Biotechnology | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Sharon Samjitsingh, Health Care Originals | Add Your Name Here Upcoming SuperCrowd Event Calendar If a location is not noted, the events below are virtual. Superpowers for Good Live Pitch on October 6, 2025, hosted by Devin Thorpe on e360tv, will feature Core Tax Deeds, Dopple, ProActive Realty Group, and Victory Hemp Foods pitching their active Regulation Crowdfunding campaigns to a nationwide audience. Viewers can vote for their favorite companies, win prizes, ask live questions, and join a private investor Zoom session to engage directly with founders and even invest during the show. Don’t miss this free chance to discover and support purpose-driven startups—register here: https://thesupercrowd.com/25q3pitch SuperCrowdHour, October 15, 2025, at 12:00 PM Eastern. Devin Thorpe, CEO and Founder of The Super Crowd, Inc., will lead a session on “The Perfect Pitch: Creating an Irresistible Offering.” As a former investment banker and author, Devin will guide entrepreneurs through the process of crafting a regulated investment crowdfunding offering that aligns with investor expectations and captures attention. In this session, he’ll share what makes a pitch compelling, how to structure terms that attract capital, and practical strategies for presenting your company’s story in a way that resonates with investors. Whether you’re launching your first community raise or refining a current campaign, this SuperCrowdHour will equip you with the tools to stand out and secure investor support. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to transform your vision into a pitch investors can’t resist. Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on October 28, 2025, at 1:30 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd. SuperGreen Live, January 22–24, 2026, livestreaming globally. Organized by Green2Gold and The Super Crowd, Inc., this three-day event will spotlight the intersection of impact crowdfunding, sustainable innovation, and climate solutions. Featuring expert-led panels, interactive workshops, and live pitch sessions, SuperGreen Live brings together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and activists to explore how capital and climate action can work hand in hand. With global livestreaming, VIP networking opportunities, and exclusive content, this event will empower participants to turn bold ideas into real impact. Don’t miss your chance to join tens of thousands of changemakers at the largest virtual sustainability event of the year. Community Event Calendar Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events. KingsCrowd Investment Crowdfunding Week: September 29 through October 2nd, featuring speakers, panels and live pitches. Free registration! Earthstock Festival & Summit (Oct 2–5, 2025, Santa Monica & Venice, CA) unites music, arts, ecology, health, and green innovation for four days of learning, networking, and celebration. Register now at EarthstockFestival.com. Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington, DC, October 21-22, 2025. Impact Accelerator Summit is a live, in-person event taking place in Austin, Texas, from October 23–25, 2025. This exclusive gathering brings together 100 heart-centered, conscious entrepreneurs generating $1M+ in revenue with 20–30 family offices and venture funds actively seeking to invest in world-changing businesses. Referred by Michael Dash, participants can expect an inspiring, high-impact experience focused on capital connection, growth, and global impact. If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 9,500+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here. We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe