by John Wires | Jun 10, 2025 | General, Incorporating
In The Law for Founders, we explored the risks related to ensuring that your corporation is actually a separate legal entity from you, as the shareholder. Those same risks apply whether you hold ownership of your company individually, or via another ‘holding company’...
by John Wires | Jun 10, 2025 | Founder Stories, Incorporating, Intellectual Property, Share Capital, Shareholder Agreements
Usually, the articles of incorporation and company by-laws are not sufficient to protect the interests and expectations of each founding shareholder in a start-up. Even before outside investors come on board, many start-ups enter a shareholder agreement to protect...
by John Wires | Jun 9, 2025 | Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency, General
DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, investment, or other professional advice. It is not intended to be relied upon as legal advice, nor should it be interpreted...
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 Wires Law | Jun 1, 2025 | Crowdfunding, LawBits, Small Business Financing
Rewards Based Crowdfunding The 2008 financial crisis left small businesses with little means to raise capital, the wells of capital dried up. So, it wasn’t a coincidence that a year later, in 2009, Kickstarter was founded on the basis it could be part of the solution...
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...
by John Wires | Sep 27, 2024 | Business Names, Incorporating
DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Choosing and registering a business name involves legal considerations that vary depending on your jurisdiction, the nature of your...
