Aird & Berlis partners with University of Toronto to offer legal advice to early-stage startups

Toronto, ON – Aird & Berlis LLP (A&B) has become the sponsoring legal partner to the University of Toronto Early-Stage Technology Program (UTEST).

UTEST is a 12-month incubation and acceleration program co-managed by the University of Toronto (U of T) and MaRS Innovation that allows selected U of T-affiliated early-stage startup companies to incorporate, use office space, receive mentorship and access $30,000 in funding, with opportunities for follow-on funding from MaRS Innovation. UTEST was recently named one of Canada’s most promising start-up accelerators in an online series by BetaKit, a digital publication that covers Canadian technology.

“We are thrilled to partner with A&B and leverage their legal expertise for our startups and emerging companies,” said Kurtis Scissions, UTEST co-director. “To date, 17 companies, including Granata Decision Systems, Whirlscape, Crowdmark, eQOL and TrendMD, have successfully graduated from our program. We look forward to adding A&B’s Startups Team of lawyers to our mentorship group for the UTEST program, beginning in 2015.”

A&B’s Startups Team, led by Rebecca Kacaba and Mat Goldstein, offers a range of legal services to new companies in the technology, digital or consumer application spaces. A&B supports startups at every stage of development, from incorporation, incubation and commercialization through to the public offering.

The A&B Startups Team advises on all aspects of capital raising—including seed, angel and venture capital—as well as corporate development, mergers and acquisitions, product and technology licensing, privacy, anti-spam and other commercial considerations. A&B also leverages its broad network of entrepreneurs and funders to make strategic introductions and connections.

“We already have a close relationship with both MaRS Innovation and the University of Toronto Innovations and Partnerships Office,” said Rebecca Kacaba, partner at A&B and leader of the firm’s Startups Team. “We look forward to counselling the successful companies and individuals who graduate from UTEST, and to continue working with UTEST to build a successful growth program for early-stage entrepreneurs.”

About the University of Toronto

The University of Toronto is home to a diverse ecosystem of entrepreneurship supports, including accelerators, programs, courses, classes and co-curricular organizations. Its nine accelerators – all under the umbrella of the Banting & Best Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship – are spread across several disciplines and provide comprehensive resources for entrepreneurial students, faculty and recent graduates. To learn more about entrepreneurship at U of T visit entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca.

About Aird & Berlis LLP

Aird & Berlis LLP is a leading Canadian law firm based in Toronto, serving clients across Canada and globally. The firm’s practice encompasses all principal areas of business law, including corporate/commercial, corporate finance, banking, insolvency and restructuring, energy, environmental, infrastructure/P3, technology and intellectual property, litigation, labour and employment, municipal and land use planning, real estate and tax. The firm’s diverse client base ranges from entrepreneurs to multinational corporations.

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For more information, please contact:

Karen Oliveira
Communications Specialist, Aird & Berlis LLP
416-865-4634
koliveira@airdberlis.com

Media Relations
University of Toronto
416 978-0100
media.relations@utoronto.ca