“Investor Outcomes and Crowdfunding in an Era of AI”
October 20–21, 2026 · National Union Building · Washington, DC
The Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Event of the Year!
Join industry leaders, policymakers, intermediaries, service providers, investors, and innovators for two days of advocacy, strategic networking, and substantive discussion focused on the continued evolution of regulated investment crowdfunding and the broader capital markets.
Overview
Day 1 – Tuesday, October 20, 2026: Advocacy Visits & Pre-event Reception
- Morning & Afternoon: Capitol Hill and regulator visits in Washington, DC
- 5:30 – 7:30 PM: Cocktail Reception (National Union Building, 918 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004)
Day 2 – Wednesday, October 21, 2026: Summit Conference
- 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM: Summit programming (National Union Building, 918 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004)
- Approximately 6:00 – 8:00 PM: Optional no-host happy hour or dinner at a nearby venue
Day 1 · Tuesday, October 20 — Advocacy & Reception
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Advocacy Meetings
Capitol Hill and regulator visits. Additional participation details will be announced.
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Cocktail Reception
National Union Building · 918 F St NW · Washington, DC 20004
Day 2 · Wednesday, October 21 — Conference & Summit
Venue: NATIONAL UNION BUILDING — 918 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
8:30 AM
Registration & Breakfast
Event MC:
9:00 – 9:15
Opening Remarks: Ten Years of Regulation Crowdfunding
Speaker:
9:15 – 9:40
State of the Industry Overview
Description: A high-level look at the regulated investment crowdfunding market, framing the day and setting context for the opportunities, challenges, and trends ahead.
Presenter:
9:40 – 10:15
Panel: The Next Wave of Crowdfunding Innovation
Description: What is coming next, what is now possible, and which trends may reshape the market? The discussion will include innovative deal structures such as revenue sharing and royalties, along with the growing importance of “instrument fit”—matching the investment instrument to the issuer’s business model, growth strategy, and investor community.
Panelists:
Moderator:
10:15 – 10:30
Networking Break
10:30 – 11:05
Panel: Investor Outcomes — Returns, Trust, and Repeat Participation
Description: A candid examination of investor outcomes across the market. What do we know about returns, realized and unrealized performance, investor expectations, trust, and the factors that encourage investors to participate again?
Panelists:
Moderator:
11:05 – 11:40
Panel: Compliance Through the Investor Lens
Description: Compliance does not end when an offering closes. This session explores ongoing investor-focused responsibilities and best practices, including Form C-AR reporting, QSBS considerations, investor updates, and long-term investor relations.
Panelists:
Moderator:
11:40 AM – 12:15 PM
Panel: Modernizing the Exempt Offering Framework
Description: How should existing exemptions evolve, and where might new exemptions or frameworks be needed? This policy-focused discussion will consider modernization of the exempt offering ecosystem and provide a high-level look at the potential role of regulated crypto and digital assets.
Panelists:
Moderator:
12:15 – 1:15 PM
Lunch & Networking
1:15 – 1:40
FINRA Session (invited): Funding Portals in an Era of AI
Description: A regulator’s perspective on funding portals, investor protection, supervision, and the expected impact of rapidly proliferating artificial intelligence tools on market participants and regulatory oversight.
Presenter:
1:40 – 2:10
VIP Fireside Chat: Policy Fixes the Industry Needs Now
Description: A forward-looking discussion on the most important policy and regulatory changes needed to support responsible capital formation, investor protection, and the continued growth of regulated investment crowdfunding.
Guest:
Moderator:
2:10 – 2:30
Networking Break · Group Photo
2:30 – 3:10
Panel: Beyond a Single Exemption — Capital Formation Mechanics and Best Practices
Description: A practical discussion of side-by-side offerings, integration rules, complementary exemptions, pathways from Regulation Crowdfunding to a direct listing, uplisting through Regulation A, and the mechanics of preparing for a potential public-market transaction.
Panelists:
Moderator:
3:10 – 3:45
Panel: Community Is Still the New Capital
Description: What actually works for issuer and investor acquisition? This panel will examine community building, campaign marketing, storytelling, channel strategy, conversion, retention, and the realistic roles of issuers, platforms, and service providers.
Panelists:
Moderator:
3:45 – 4:20
Panel: Crowdfunding for Community Wealth, Impact, and Underserved Founders
Description: How regulated investment crowdfunding can expand access to capital, strengthen local and community wealth, support mission-driven enterprises, and create more opportunity for founders and investors historically underserved by traditional capital markets.
Panelists:
Moderator:
4:20 – 5:00
Point / Counterpoint: Will AI Strengthen or Undermine Crowdfunding?
Description: A structured debate on the promise and risks of artificial intelligence in regulated crowdfunding. Topics may include investor education, issuer diligence, fraud detection, cybersecurity, fake identities, disclosure quality, privacy legislation, compliance, trust, and whether AI will ultimately broaden access or create new forms of harm.
Participants:
Moderator:
5:00 – 5:20
2026 Industry Awards
Recognizing individuals and organizations advancing regulated investment crowdfunding.
Presenter(s):
5:20 – 5:30
Closing Remarks
Speaker:
Approximately 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Optional no-host happy hour or dinner at a nearby venue. Details to be announced.
Choose Your Summit Experience
VIP — Conference + Reception
Full access to the Summit, including the exclusive Tuesday evening reception and the complete Wednesday conference program. Designed for attendees seeking the strongest networking and engagement opportunities.
Conference Only
Access to all Wednesday conference sessions, including panels, fireside chats, regulatory discussions, and industry awards. This ticket does not include the Tuesday evening VIP reception.
Reception Only
Access to the exclusive Tuesday evening networking reception. This ticket does not include the Wednesday conference program.
CfPA Member Benefit: CfPA members receive access to discounted conference tickets. Not yet a member? Join today.
This preliminary agenda is subject to change. Speakers, sponsors, and additional program details will be added as they are confirmed.
Refund Policy: Refunds are available up to seven days before the event.
Transportation & Lodging: Nearest airport: DCA. Hotel information will be added as available.
Nearest Metro Stops:
Gallery Place - Chinatown - Red, Green & Yellow Lines (approximately 1 block)
Metro Center - Red, Orange, Blue & Silver Lines (approximately 2 blocks)
Gallery Place - Chinatown - Red, Green & Yellow Lines (approximately 1 block)
Metro Center - Red, Orange, Blue & Silver Lines (approximately 2 blocks)
Sponsors
We are grateful for the support of the sponsors who help make this event possible.
Platinum: TBD
Bronze: Crowdfunding Lawyers; Revalue; BioTech Funding Portal; Nant Global Finance; SetApart Accountancy;
Media Sponsors: TBD
We are also grateful for the dedication and support of the all-volunteer CfPA Board.
Interested in sponsoring the summit? Contact: summitsponsor@cfpa.org
#CfPASummit
Curious about what happened at the 2025 Summit? Watch the replay on Youtube.
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