Startups & Emerging Companies
Canada Guide 2025 : Nationwide - Canada
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 416 362 2111About
Provided by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
The Emerging and High Growth Companies Group at Osler are individuals passionate about entrepreneurship and fostering the growth of early and growth stage ventures. With offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal, Ottawa and Calgary, team members are eager to share their experience and insight with emerging companies to help maximize their development and ensure long-term success. The team leverages the New York office’s cross-border legal expertise to support Canadian companies’ growth and transactional needs south of the border.
Osler has represented entrepreneurs and emerging and growth stage companies nationwide from a broad spectrum of knowledge-based industries, supporting them from incubation through their growth trajectory, as well as the venture capital funds, growth equity and private equity funds that finance them. The team provides legal advice on the wide range of issues and legal requirements that emerging and high growth ventures face, from corporate and tax structuring and fundraising and shareholder agreements to intellectual property strategies and employment- and compensation-related matters – all of which require a deep understanding of the market and expert counsel.
Chambers Review
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt is a prominent national full-service law firm with leading experience acting for both nascent companies and high-profile investors. The emerging and high-growth companies group regularly advises growth equity funds, venture capital players, accelerator programmes, incubators and private entrepreneurs on a range of financing matters. It is also well respected for its representation of startup and scale-up technology and life sciences companies, including acting on later-stage M&A and other transactions. The team offers nationwide services to clients with expertise across its Toronto, Vancouver and Montréal offices. Additionally, it is well positioned to assist clients with cross-border mandates, with strong links to the USA via its New York office.
Work Highlights
- Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt team advised Cohere on its USD270 million Series C financing round led by iNovia Capital.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt has helped us navigate every item along the way with top finish and polish."
"The Osler team has an expert and a solution for every issue, no matter how specific or complex it is to our field. It is a world-class firm."
"The team's proficiency in navigating complex issues has provided us with invaluable guidance, ensuring not only compliance but also fostering our company's advancement in a competitive landscape."
"Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt has helped us navigate every item along the way with top finish and polish."
"The Osler team has an expert and a solution for every issue, no matter how specific or complex it is to our field. It is a world-class firm."
"The team's proficiency in navigating complex issues has provided us with invaluable guidance, ensuring not only compliance but also fostering our company's advancement in a competitive landscape."
Notable Practitioners
Toronto-based Chad Bayne is renowned for his deep expertise in the startup space. He continues to represent startup companies in investment rounds at various stages of their growth, as well as in acquisitions.
"Chad Bayne's understanding of the venture capital ecosystem is very strong and he delivers very practical advice."
"Chad has the best depth of experience and know-how."
Mark Longo regularly provides guidance to emerging companies and venture capital funds in early and late-stage financing rounds. He co-chairs the firm's emerging and high-growth companies practice in Vancouver.
"Mark Longo is an amazing partner and is incredible to work with."
Vancouver-based Justin Young acts for a broad client base, which includes emerging technology companies, angel investors and venture capital funds. He has great experience in guiding startup companies through M&A transactions as well as financing rounds throughout their life cycles.
Toronto-based André Perey focuses on M&A and financing of foreign and Canadian startups and growth-stage companies. He advises clients from a diverse range of sectors, including financial services, AI and renewable energy.
"André Perey is smart, available, reliable and fair. I use him regularly for business counsel."
Montréal-based Christian Jacques advises startup companies on financial transactions and is highlighted for his work with venture capital investors.
David Jamieson has a fast-developing reputation for acting for emerging and high-growth companies in corporate formation and governance matters, as well as venture capital and private equity financing transactions. He is based in Toronto.
"David provided excellent support and advice throughout the process with very good awareness of market conditions and trends."
"David's expertise and approach to our legal matters have been nothing short of exceptional. His adeptness in providing strategic advice has been instrumental in navigating complex legal landscapes."
Montréal-based Shahir Guindi, Ad E is routinely engaged in company and investor-side work, with an emphasis on life science, emerging tech and AI clients.
Justin Dharamdial of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt is well placed to act for startups and emerging companies on growth-stage financings.
"Justin Dharamdial is relentlessly resourceful for his clients, providing equal parts best-in-class legal counsel and strategic business advice."
"Justin is an outstanding lawyer. No problem is too big for him."
Ranked Lawyers at
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Nationwide - Canada
Members
Provided by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP