Joe Cecala of Dream Exchange to Lead Webinar on Structural Oppression in Capital Markets

Webinar Announcement: Breaking the Cycle of Structural Oppression in Capital Markets

On October 2, 2025, Joe Cecala, the CEO and Founder of Dream Exchange, will host an insightful webinar centered around the company’s recent report titled Breaking the Cycle of Structural Oppression in Capital Markets. This report critically examines systemic failures within U.S. capital markets that have resulted in lost jobs, dwindling investment returns, and stunted innovation across the nation.

Key Highlights of the Webinar

The upcoming session is poised to shed light on various inefficiencies that hinder qualified entrepreneurs from securing growth capital while limiting investor opportunities to engage in innovative ventures. Below are some crucial points that will be discussed:

1. Declining Public Markets

A significant statistic from the report reveals a nearly 40% drop in the number of listed U.S. companies since the 1990s. This decline has drastically reduced opportunities for ordinary investors, with companies valued under $100 million now representing less than 10% of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), a stark decrease from the historical rate of 40%.

2. Geographic Concentration of Venture Capital

The concentration of venture capital in three metropolitan areas—San Francisco Bay Area, New York, and Boston—poses a challenge for entrepreneurial diversity. Approximately 75% of venture capital is funneled into these areas, leaving vast regions of the country underserved and underrepresented.

3. Demographic Disparities

The report highlights troubling disparities in venture capital allocation among demographic groups. Notably, it states that Black founders receive merely 0.4% of total venture capital investments. Moreover, minority-owned businesses, particularly Black-owned firms, face disproportionately high credit denial rates, nearing 40%, which is almost twice that of their white counterparts.

4. Information Gaps in Market Data

Another significant issue addressed in the report is the lack of analyst coverage for over 2,000 public companies. This absence of visibility for these companies impedes investors' ability to make informed decisions, further starving businesses of much-needed recognition and resources.

Joe Cecala emphasizes, "This analysis reinforces why alternative market structures are essential for American competitiveness. When barriers cause the exclusion of qualified businesses, investors suffer reduced returns, companies stagnate, and communities lose jobs and innovation." This sentiment reflects concerns previously echoed by former SEC Chair Jay Clayton, who noted that dwindling listings adversely affect household opportunities for growth participation.

Register for the Webinar

The event is free to attend, and interested individuals can register by following this link.

As Dream Exchange progresses toward becoming the first minority-controlled stock exchange in the history of the U.S.—pending SEC approval—this webinar presents an essential platform for those interested in the evolving landscape of capital markets and the drive for inclusivity and innovation. An additional initiative led by Dream Exchange is the proposal for a new venture exchange targeting smaller, early-stage companies that have traditionally been overlooked by public markets.

For further inquiries, please reach out to:
Robert Todd
PR Manager, Dream Exchange
Phone: 773-914-1182
Email: [email protected]

Stay tuned for insightful discussions and thought-provoking insights as we work towards breaking systemic oppression in capital markets.