The JCO is the brainchild of serial fintech entrepreneur, Gregory Keough, who is the current CEO of Finova Financial and former CEO of Mobile Financial Services, a MasterCard and Telefonica Joint Venture for mobile financial services globally.
“I liked the idea of the ICOs when they were first introduced as they looked like an exciting way for startups to raise funds from small investors, but I had concerns about regulatory compliance practices, especially for tokens that are clearly securities,” noted Finova CEO, Gregory Keough. “I designed the JCO as a process to open the doors of opportunity for the small investor, allowing them to participate using cryptocurrency in security offerings in compliance with SEC regulations. I envision the Tokens sold in JCOs being listed on an Alternative Trading System, creating a liquid security and providing companies with an alternative to a traditional initial public offering.”
“We think the JCO has the potential to have a massive impact on the way startups raise funds, while creating some much-needed regulatory clarity in the crypto-investing space,” said Sheel Mohnot, Partner, 500 Startups.
JCO: How it Works
The JOBS Crypto Offering (JCO) is a new financing process that allows for companies to issue securities to the general public in exchange for cryptocurrency or other funds in compliance with SEC regulations. Ownership of such securities would be represented by entries in a distributed electronic network or database maintained by or on behalf of the Company in accordance with Section 224 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which we refer to as Tokens. The Tokens would be listed on an Alternative Trading System that is compliant with Regulation ATS under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
For more information, visit: http://jco.finovafinancial.com
*About the JOBS Act
Passed in 2012, the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS Act) was designed to help small businesses raise capital by easing certain securities regulations, expanding options for entrepreneurs to seek out everyday investors to raise capital and grow their companies via online crowdfunding platforms. The JOBS Act was also known as the Crowdfund Act because under Title III it created a way for businesses to use crowdfunding to raise capital by issuing securities – which had never been done before. Along with the crowdfunding aspects of the JOBS Act, the act also changed a number of laws and regulations to make it easier for companies to raise capital privately and go public.
About Finova Financial
Working to transform the future of banking on a global scale, National Financial Holdings, Inc. (known as “Finova”) develops fair and affordable digital financial technologies to create a more inclusive financial system and provide a path to financial health for the two billion people outside of the traditional financial system. Founded in 2015 by a team of financial services, technology, and payment experts, Finova is backed by leading Silicon Valley venture capital firms and Wall Street private equity investors.
For more information: www.finovafinancial.com