One of Europe’s most influential crowdfunding architects brings a decade of market-building expertise to accelerate borderless investment vision

In a move that signals GECA’s evolution from ambitious startup to industry powerhouse, the Global Equity Crowdfunding Alliance today announced the appointment of Karsten Wenzlaff as strategic advisor to its steering committee. 

The Man Who Helped to Build Europe’s Crowdfunding Infrastructure

While most people were still trying to understand what crowdfunding meant, Karsten Wenzlaff was busy inventing it. As author of Europe’s first crowdfunding study in 2011 and Germany’s first crowdfunding survey in 2012, he didn’t just document the industry’s emergence – he created the analytical framework that made institutional adoption possible.

Today, as Secretary-General of Digital Invest Germany (German Crowdfunding Association) and Alternative Finance Expert at the University of Hamburg, Karsten occupies a unique position at the intersection of policy, academia, and industry. His MPhil in International Relations from Cambridge, focused on international financial regulation, provided the theoretical foundation for what would become a career spent building the regulatory architecture of European alternative finance.

The Cambridge Connection: Building Global Standards

Since 2013, Karsten has co-authored the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance’s Alternative Finance Benchmarking Report, becoming the European editor in 2017 and contributing to the Global Alternative Finance Benchmarking Report in 2020. These reports are the data backbone that regulators, investors, and platforms rely on for market intelligence.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Karsten joined Cambridge’s COVID-19 Response Team, helping map how alternative finance could support economic recovery. The influence of this work extended far beyond academia, informing policy responses across multiple jurisdictions.

The ECSP Architect: From Vision to €5 Million Reality

Perhaps Karsten’s most significant achievement was his role in helping to create the European Crowdfunding Service Provider (ECSP) regulation. As a member of the European Crowdfunding Stakeholder Forum, he helped design the framework that allows platforms to raise up to €5 million across EU borders with a single license.

This wasn’t just theoretical work. Karsten coordinated networks of European fintech associations to develop practical frameworks for implementation, bridging the gap between policy intention and market reality. The result? A harmonized regulatory environment and a network of platforms, which are connected through the European Digital Finance Association, where Karsten is a board member. 

The Global Network: From Bundestag to UNDP

Karsten’s influence extends far beyond Europe through an unmatched network of institutional relationships:

European Influence:

  • Expert advisor to the German Parliament (Deutscher Bundestag) on FinTech regulation, in the Digital Affairs Committee and the Finance Committee 
  • Consultant to German federal and regional governments
  • Coordinator of European fintech association network and board member of the European Digital Finance Association

Global Reach:

  • External advisor to the UNDP Alt Fin Lab
  • OECD consultant on civic crowdfunding implementation
  • Regulator Advisor in Tunisia and Uganda
  • World Economic Forum contributor on disruptive financial services

It’s safe to say that when regulatory changes need to happen, Karsten often knows the right people to make them reality.

The Academic Powerhouse: From Research to Implementation

Karsten’s academic credentials provide intellectual rigor to his policy work. His publication record spans landmark contributions to “Advances in Crowdfunding Research,” “Commentary on the European Crowdfunding Service Provider Regime,” and “Crowdfunding in Higher Education.”

As editor of the European Crowdfunding Market Report 2023, he continues shaping industry understanding through data-driven analysis. 

But Karsten isn’t just an academic. As founder of the Institute of Communications for Social Media (ikosom), he’s consulted for organizations from startups to multinational corporations, always bringing evidence-based approaches to practical challenges.

The Technology Visionary: Blockchain, AI, and the Future of Finance

Karsten’s work on blockchain-based business models and AI compliance frameworks addresses challenges many regulators are also in the process of tackling. This forward-looking perspective proved crucial during his time on validation boards for EU projects like CitizEnergy and his ongoing research into sustainable finance solutions.

His speaking engagements span continents – from London to Kuala Lumpur, Brussels to Tunis – always focused on how emerging technologies can enhance financial inclusion while maintaining appropriate oversight.

The Strategic Imperative: Why GECA is a great fit.

GECA’s mission of creating borderless equity crowdfunding markets requires more than good intentions – it demands the regulatory expertise and institutional relationships that Karsten possesses. His appointment signals GECA’s evolution from advocacy organization to implementation partner.

“The future of crowdfunding is inherently global,” Karsten noted. “But globalization without proper regulatory frameworks creates risks for investors and entrepreneurs alike. GECA’s approach of building consensus while maintaining standards aligns perfectly with the lessons we’ve learned from a decade of European harmonization efforts.”

The Network Effect: Amplifying GECA’s Global Reach

Karsten’s extensive institutional relationships dramatically expand GECA’s ability to influence policy development. His connections span:

  • Academic Networks: Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, European Centre for Alternative Finance (Utrecht), University of Agder research collaborations
  • Policy Circles: European Commission, national parliaments, international organizations
  • Industry Associations: Secretary-General role provides direct access to platform networks across Europe
  • Innovation Ecosystems: Regulatory sandbox frameworks and fintech development programs

Building Tomorrow’s Financial Infrastructure Today

With the recent high profile steering committee appointments, combining with the existing team, GECA is assembling the intellectual firepower needed to tackle crowdfunding’s biggest challenges – combining complementary expertise in data analytics, regulatory design, and market development.

In a market where regulatory clarity often determines success or failure, GECA has just acquired one of Europe’s most influential regulatory architects. For an organization with global ambitions, having someone who has successfully helped to harmonize regulations across 27 European countries provides both proof of concept and practical roadmap. In the rapidly evolving world of financial technology, that kind of expertise is vital.

The appointment of Karsten Wenzlaff signals that GECA is no longer just planning for the future of global crowdfunding – it’s building it.

The Global Equity Crowdfunding Alliance (GECA) is an international organization dedicated to advancing regulatory harmonization, market development, and best practices in equity crowdfunding worldwide. Learn more at thegeca.org.

Contact: For media inquiries about GECA’s steering committee appointments and global initiatives, please contact the steering committee at: contact@thegeca.org

Want to join GECA’s mission? Visit thegeca.org/join to learn about supporter opportunities for platforms, service providers, and industry stakeholders.