Karen Rands, Compassionate Capitalist

Florida's Commissioner and the Office of Financial Regulation (OFR), Russell Weigel, III, joins Karen Rands to talk about the challenges to access to capital for Florida businesses from private investors that has created barriers rather than making it easier to raise capital through crowdfunding in Florida. In many ways, Florida has a vibrant angel investor community and a growing presence of venture capitalists expanding into Florida to invest in high tech startups. Florida's SCORE - Small Company Registration program is under review and Commissioner Weigel and OFR are seeking feedback for a legislative initiative to modify SCORE with the goal is to promote Florida’s economy through the creation of a self-sustaining, in-state capital market where many newly formed businesses can obtain seed or expansion capital. Commissioner Weigel is an AV-rated securities attorney, with more than 30 years of legal experience including experience as an enforcement attorney with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and a