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Emerging Technology & Venture Capital


Tomorrow starts here. Own it with us.
Supporting trailblazing startups, venture capital funds and acquirers of high-growth tech companies for over 30 years - from startup to scale-up to exit.
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Overview

Fasken is a leading full-service Canadian law firm with a fully integrated national team of lawyers, dedicated to working with emerging and growth-stage companies with end-to-end strategic legal advice and representation at every stage.

The law firm for emerging technology companies in Canada

As the first Canadian law firm to support startups, our team has been in market since the 1990s and has lived through many cycles in the technology landscape. We work closely with companies to understand their needs and provide bespoke solutions that fit each lifecycle stage, guiding clients forward as they scale. 

We take a holistic and strategic approach to helping our clients achieve their goals and provide a full suite of services including corporate, venture capital (VC) financings, M&A, commercial, intellectual property (IP), data and compliance, employment, tax and beyond.

Our Band 1 Chambers-ranked team is deeply involved in the national and international technology ecosystem working closely with accelerators and incubators, investors and other key players in the ecosystem. We work closely with best-in-class VC funds in Canada, the United States and globally. Our team is a leading Canadian law firm for VC financings and tech M&A - in the current challenging market, we retained our position as one of Canada’s top legal deal-advisors including:  

 

  • #1 Canadian-based firm: Advisors to Company: Venture Capital Rounds, Based on Number of Rounds in FY 2025 (LSEG)
  • #1 Canadian-based firm: VC deals, sector – Most active in IT hardware in FY 2025 (PitchBook)
  • #1 Canadian-based firm: VC deals, sector – Most active in commercial products & services in FY 2025 (PitchBook)
  • #1 Canadian-based firm: VC deals, sector – Most active in consumer goods & products in Q4 2025 (PitchBook)
  • #1 Canadian-based firm: VC deals, deal type – Most active at late stage in Q3 2025 (PitchBook)
  • #1 Canadian-based firm: VC deals, representing – Most active in rest of world: investors in Q3 2025 (PitchBook)
  • #1 Canadian-based firm: VC deals, sector – Most active in healthcare services & systems in Q3 2025 (PitchBook)
  • #1 Canadian-based firm: VC deals, sector – Most active in software in Q3 2025 (PitchBook)

 

The emerging technology ecosystem is in continuous flux as technology advances and new companies are formed almost every day. Our team strives to continue to innovate and advance with the evolving needs of founders, investors and the broader ecosystem. We are excited to assist the next generation of unicorns and will continue to lead in the emerging technology ecosystem.

Six key strategies from Ideation to Exit

Startup lifecycle infographic

Startup lifecyle infographic

Fasken supports startups by providing complementary legal services (such as IP, Employment, Governance and Data).  We take a holistic approach by supporting the different areas which are key to a company’s success.

Startup Program for Emerging Companies

Our startup clients include founders on the forefront of new and exciting technologies that are creating the world of tomorrow.  We have helped thousands of startups commercialize their businesses and move on to even bigger successes. Each of our offices offers robust startup programs, allowing us to work with early-stage startup clients to assist them in corporate structuring, early-stage financings and scaling their company.

Early-stage entrepreneurs need cost-effective advice from advisors who know their goals and know their market. We understand the needs of these high growth companies and are always thinking about the next step in the journey. 

We service each venture’s needs, including a pro-active approach to identifying legal risks, IP and patent strategy, a practical approach to commercial contract negotiations and growth strategy and exit strategy.  Beyond this, we embed ourselves with these clients and frequently think of ourselves as our ‘outsourced in-house counsel,’ working with them on both legal matters and providing the proper guidance and resources early-stage companies require.

 

Our Clients: Emerging Technology

Some of the best-in-class technology startups and scale-ups in Canada seek out our assistance for all stages of their companies journey including corporate, commercial, VC financing and M&A. We are able to deploy our experience in acting on hundreds of completed financings every year to help our clients stay on top of market trends and deal terms to arrive at win-win outcomes.

Our local and international clients are active in many different sectors such as Enterprise SaaS, MedTech, Climate Tech, FinTech, AgTech, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Artificial Intelligence (AI), connected devices and 5G, quantum computing, CPG and other industries.

Our Clients: Venture Capital

We represent leading venture capital funds and investors investing in Canadian companies and as a result have a deep understanding of the requirements and needs of investors.

The trajectory of many venture capital funded technology companies is a successful M&A, and we advise buyers, sellers, founders, key shareholders and special committees through the M&A process. Our team has experience with large and complex cross-border transactions, and with varied deal structures, including equity rollovers, exchangeable shares, and hybrid asset/share sales.

We have a deep understanding of representation and warranty insurance, and advised and acted on the first-of-its-kind insured technology sale transaction in Canada.

Ecosystem Involvement

We’re deeply involved in the startup ecosystem partnering with some of the most prominent incubators, accelerators, universities and private/public research programs in North America. Our involvement allows for continued monitoring and positioning to aid next-generation entrepreneurs in Canada. We are active mentors and partners to many ecosystem players and are often recognized for our ‘in the weeds,’ approach with the ecosystem. In short, we show up and want to help build the next generation of Canadian tech.

As an industry leader, we partner with best-in-class organizations including: Creative Destruction Lab (CDL), Foresight Cleantech Accelerator, 2 Degrés, FounderFuel, Antler, PropTech Collective, FounderBoost, Upside Foundation of Canada, TiE Vancouver, UTEST, Entrepreneurship UBC (eUBC), Canadian Women in Venture Capital, New Ventures BC, Platform Calgary, Front Row Ventures, OSMO, BC Tech Association, Cycle Momentum, Centech, Vancouver Enterprise Forum, PILOT and many others.

We have close relationships with the top Emerging Technology law firms around the world and these collaborations and access to domestic and international networks can provide you with a competitive advantage.

Areas of Expertise

  • AgTech, Innovation is at the core of agribusiness and every enterprise, from producers to processors and retailers, need to continually innovate to stay competitive and adapt to emerging and pervasive issues such as climate change, supply chain disruptions and sustainability.
  • Artificial Intelligence, Fasken works with clients ranging from start-ups to established, multinational companies to determine how to navigate the rapidly evolving legal landscape surrounding AI innovations. We’ll help you get answers, whether your questions relate to the creation, protection, commercialization or acquisition of AI technology.
  • Climate Tech, Fasken offers leading climate tech advice and experience by helping proponents and investors within the vast field of clean technology.
  • FinTech, At the earliest stage possible, we work with fintech innovators to anticipate and meet regulatory requirements wherever their products are introduced or adopted.

Achievements

  • Ranked nationwide (Band 1) in Startups & Emerging Companies, Chambers Canada 2016 to 2026
  • Recognized nationwide in Venture Capital Law, The Best Lawyers in Canada 2020 to 2025
  • Recognized nationwide in FinTech Practice, The Best Lawyers in Canada 2021 to 2025
  • Ranked nationwide in Startups & Emerging Companies, Chambers Canada 2018 to 2025

Team

Primary Contacts
  • Will Shaw, Partner | National Co-Leader, Emerging Technology & Venture Capital, Toronto, ON, +1 416 865 4554, [email protected]
  • Constantinos Ragas, Partner | National Co-Leader, Emerging Technology & Venture Capital, Montréal, QC, +1 514 397 5244, [email protected]
  • Jon Conlin, Partner | National Co-Leader, Emerging Technology & Venture Capital, Vancouver, BC, +1 604 631 3237, [email protected]
  • Shahrooz Nabavi, Partner | Emerging Technology & Venture Capital, Vancouver, BC, +1 604 631 4910, [email protected]
  • Scott Rozansky, Partner | Regional Co-Leader, Emerging Technology & Venture Capital, Montréal, QC, + 1 514 397 7447, [email protected]
  • Brad Schneider, Partner | Emerging Technology & Venture Capital, Corporate/Commercial, Calgary, AB, +1 403 261 5502, [email protected]
  • Marc Shewchun, Partner | Emerging Technology & Venture Capital, Toronto, ON, +1 416 865 4393, [email protected]
Will Shaw Toronto Lawyer Will Shaw Partner | National Co-Leader, Emerging Technology & Venture Capital Toronto, ON +1 416 865 4554
Constantinos Ragas Montréal Lawyer/Avocat Constantinos Ragas Partner | National Co-Leader, Emerging Technology & Venture Capital Montréal, QC +1 514 397 5244
Jon Conlin, Partner | National Co-Leader, Emerging Technology & Venture Capital Jon Conlin Partner | National Co-Leader, Emerging Technology & Venture Capital Vancouver, BC +1 604 631 3237
Shahrooz Nabavi, Partner | Emerging Technology & Venture Capital Shahrooz Nabavi Partner | Emerging Technology & Venture Capital Vancouver, BC +1 604 631 4910
Scott Rozansky Scott Rozansky Partner | Regional Co-Leader, Emerging Technology & Venture Capital Montréal, QC + 1 514 397 7447
Brad Schneider, Partner | Emerging Technology & Venture Capital, Corporate/Commercial Brad Schneider Partner | Emerging Technology & Venture Capital, Corporate/Commercial Calgary, AB +1 403 261 5502
Marc Shewchun Toronto Lawyer Marc Shewchun Partner | Emerging Technology & Venture Capital Toronto, ON +1 416 865 4393

Experience

  • BDC Capital's StrongNorth Fund leads $16 million investment in Lastwall to strengthen Canada’s defence capability, [Deal - BDC Capital], BDC’s StrongNorth Fund has made its first cybersecurity investment.
  • FireSwarm Solutions receives ITB investment from KONGSBERG Canada, [Deal - FireSwarm Solutions Inc.], ITB defence investment from KONGSBERG Canada in autonomous drone technology for wildfire and emergency response.
  • Quandri scales enterprise customer contracting for leading insurance brokerages, [Deal - Quandri Technologies Inc.], Quandri Technologies scales enterprise AI contracting with leading insurance brokerages.
  • UniUni enters into definitive purchase agreement with MAK Acquisition to go public on TSX in US$1 billion SPAC deal, [Deal - Uni Express Inc.], BC-based last-mile delivery firm, UniUni, signs definitive agreement with MAK Acquisition for a US$1.0 billion go-public transaction.
  • Moment Energy raises US$40 million Series B to build the world's largest second-life battery factory, [Deal - Moment Energy Inc.], Oversubscribed Series B brings total funding to over $100M to scale domestic manufacturing and energy storage deployment across the US and Canada.
  • Appetronix accelerates multi‑cuisine growth through strategic acquisition of Cibotica, [Deal - Appetronix], Canadian startup acquires food robotics company.
  • Serenity Power secures C$1.16 million pre‑seed financing, [Deal - Serenity Power], C$1.16 million pre‑seed funding for Serenity Power’s clean‑energy fuel cell prototype.
  • Pender Ventures invests in Engineered Intelligence, [Deal - Pender Ventures], Pender Ventures leads financing in Engineered Intelligence, expanding its grid asset management platform for utility companies across North America, Europe and globally.
  • Northstar Clean Technologies Inc. closes US$10 million private placement, [Deal - Northstar Clean Technologies Inc.], Convertible debenture financing for Northstar Clean Technologies Inc.

Knowledge

  • Stress-testing the U.S. Flip: Benefits of Canadian Incorporation, 5/11/2026
  • Fasken's Exit InSights, 1/13/2026
  • AI Compliance FAQ – What Businesses and Developers Need to Know, 12/9/2025
  • 2025 B.C. Budget Enhances Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit, 3/12/2025
  • Ontario Government Actively Consulting on Regulations with Major Ramifications for Businesses that Contract with Consumers, 1/23/2025
  • Nominee Directors in Shareholder Activism, Private Equity and Venture Capital: Navigating Issues Raised by Confidential Company Information, 1/15/2025
  • What Rights Can Be Waived in a Unanimous Shareholder Agreement? The Ontario Court of Appeal Gives Guidance, 12/4/2024
  • Canadian Federal and Provincial Clean Tech Funding Initiatives, 11/27/2024
  • Navigating Government Procurement: Tips for Cleantech Innovators, 9/24/2024
  • AI Glossary for Business Professionals: Defining AI Tools and Associated Legal Risks, 5/2/2024

Events

  • E-Commerce and AI: cocktail and panel on “The Legal Do's and Dont's for AI in E-Commerce”, 6/11/2025
  • Feedback on Law 25: Where do We Stand?, 11/20/2024
  • #VTJTalks: The Year in Vancouver Tech - So Far, 6/27/2024
  • #VTJTalks: Adopting AI in Business, 4/9/2024
  • Fasken & MaRS: Pathway to Fundraising, 3/20/2024

News

  • Constantinos Ragas discusses Fasken’s adoption of the Walter AI Assistant in Les Affaires, 5/6/2026
  • Will Shaw comments on the dominance of strategic buyers in Canadian tech exits in BetaKit, 1/21/2026
  • Fasken’s Exit Insights report about M&A trends in Canadian tech is highlighted in the Vancouver Tech Journal, 1/16/2026
  • Fasken’s Exit InSights report about M&A trends in Canadian tech is featured in The Logic, 1/14/2026
  • Constantinos Ragas analyzes early exit trends among Canadian tech companies in BetaKit, 1/9/2026
  • Fasken’s Emerging Tech group discusses the benefits of reverse vesting arrangements for startups in the Vancouver Tech Journal, 10/7/2025
  • Fasken Partners with Walter to Unleash the Future of Legal Efficiency with the Walter AI Assistant, 6/18/2025
  • Vancouver Tech Journal interviews Jon Conlin about the state and outlook of M&As in Canada, 5/24/2024
  • Fasken Partners with the Leading Technology Platform Walter to Automate Legal Processes for Canadian Startups, 4/15/2024
  • Fasken will be at the MaRS Climate Impact Conference in Toronto, 11/23/2023

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