by John Wires | Jun 8, 2025 | General, Incorporating, Intellectual Property
DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is not (and is not intended to be) legal advice. This is legal information only. Reviewing information about the law may help you understand whether you need legal assistance. Whether and how this information applies to your...
by John Wires | Apr 10, 2025 | Founder Stories, Incorporating, LawBits, Small Business Financing
Many early stage companies in Canada are self-financed, either with founder loans, or loans from friends and family. Some founders consider protecting their loans against trade creditors and other lenders by entering a form of loan agreement or promissory note, along...
by John Wires | Feb 10, 2025 | LawBits, Share Capital, Shareholder Agreements, Venture Capital
After watching an episode or two of the Dragon’s Den or Sharks Tank founders might be tempted to think that negotiating a deal to raise equity capital from investors is simply a matter of valuing shares and dividing up equity. It’s not. The handshake deals made on TV...
by John Wires | Jan 10, 2025 | Share Capital, Venture Capital
Before we get into private equity investments, it is important to be aware of convertible debt. A convertible loan, also known as a convertible note, is a short-term debt instrument often used in the early stages of a start-up’s life cycle. It is a loan from an...
by John Wires | Nov 10, 2024 | Incorporating, LawBits, Share Capital, Shareholder Agreements, Stock Options, Venture Capital
Employee stock options (ESOs) are a popular form of compensation among start-ups, particularly in the technology sector. Options grant employees the right, but not the obligation, to purchase company shares at a predetermined price, often vested over a period of 3-4...
