Startups & Emerging Companies | Canada

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.

Dentons is a global law firm recognised for its strong track record acting for emerging technology players in various stages of growth. Its Canada-based venture tech and emerging growth companies team boasts a broad client base and utilises its tech expertise to act for venture and angel investors as well as target companies. The group advises on shareholder agreements, IPOs, capital raising and M&A matters, with experience across various sectors including fintech, virtual reality and artificial intelligence. It is additionally experienced in handling cross-border mandates.

Fasken is highly regarded for its ability to service early-stage companies throughout development, with noteworthy experience advising emerging technology companies and software developers. The firm's startup and emerging company services practice also offers expertise to early-stage entrepreneurs, venture capital funds and private equity firms looking to invest in this space. It regularly handles seed and pre-seed financings as well as later-stage rounds, acting for both emerging companies and investors, and holds additional experience in debt financing as well as M&A transactions. The firm also handles related IP and tax matters, and is particularly well known for its key strengths in Vancouver and Montréal.

Norton Rose Fulbright is a full-service law firm held in high regard for its international reach, advising early-stage companies on a range of M&A, financing and IP matters. It is recognised for its expertise across various speciality areas within life sciences and technology, including biotech, fintech and big data as well as cannabis. The emerging tech services group acts for a range of clients including investors, startups and scale-ups. It has developed a particular niche in its representation of AI and machine learning technology startups.

Blake, Cassels & Graydon is a renowned firm in the market. Its team has a notable ability to provide high-quality counsel to both investors and early-stage companies on a number of matters. The group is highlighted for its strength in advising clients on financings, restructurings and high-value acquisitions. The team supports clients across numerous sectors including technology, financial services and health sciences.

blue HF legal is a business and technology law firm that is well regarded for its startups and emerging companies practice in Montréal. The team is noted for its capabilities in venture capital financing and equity investments, as well as for its work on a range of corporate and commercial matters, including technology contracts.

Cassels Brock & Blackwell is a highly regarded firm in the market, with offices across the country, including in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary. The team boasts considerable strength in handling issues arising from the technology and life science sectors. Its clients include high-growth companies and venture capital funds. The group demonstrates its ability to handle a wide spectrum of issues, including financings, acquisitions and shareholder agreements.

Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg advises early-stage companies and investors on financings, strategic partnerships, equity investments, acquisitions and exits. With practitioners based in Toronto and Montréal, the team boasts notable expertise in venture capital transactions for technology clients.

Gowling WLG is an established national law firm recognised for its significant expertise across a wide range of matters relating to the technology sector, counting software, online retail, fintech, artificial intelligence and blockchain companies among its clients. It acts for venture capital funds, private equity players and other institutional investors on financing matters, as well as providing advice to emerging companies on a wide range of IP issues, market entry issues and M&A transactions. The group benefits from its office in the Kitchener Waterloo area to form relationships with early-stage technology clients and accelerator programmes.

McCarthy Tétrault's practitioners are routinely called upon by startup organisations to provide counsel on financings and acquisitions. The matters handled by the group stem from a number of sectors, including healthcare, retail, life sciences and technology.

Torys's startups and emerging companies practice group advises early-stage technology companies on all issues arising from developing their business. The team also provides frequent advice to venture capital funds and other institutional investors on their investment into emerging companies.