Company Structure and Non-Dilutive Funding Opportunities
Workshop Description: Join us for an in-depth seminar on company structure and non-dilutive funding opportunities, co-hosted by Chris Dittrich and Kate Grant of Fasken LLP and Ronen Benin of Zero to One Strategic.
This session will dive into the critical intersection of company structure and funding—equipping you with the knowledge you need to make strategic decisions for the long-term success of your business.
What You’ll Learn:
- The Why Behind Company Structure: How creating an official company can safeguard founders, attract talent, and build credibility with investors, partners, and funders.
- Structuring for Success: incorporation, share structures, governance considerations, and the tax and legal implications that can impact your growth trajectory.
- Unlocking Non-Dilutive Funding: From grants and subsidies to tax credits and government programs—discover the variety of funding sources available that don’t require giving up equity.
- The Critical Intersection: Why the right company structure is often a prerequisite for accessing non-dilutive funding, and how to ensure your start-up is positioned to qualify.
Why This Matters:
Start-ups are often laser-focused on raising venture capital or securing debt financing, but many overlook the vast opportunities that come from non-dilutive funding. These resources can fuel growth without giving up equity, but only if your business is structured correctly. This seminar will show you how to avoid common pitfalls and set your company up for long-term funding success.
Who Should Attend
- Early-stage founders preparing to incorporate
- Entrepreneurs exploring funding options beyond traditional equity financing
- Start-up leaders looking to build a strong legal and financial foundation for their network
- Anyone who attended Legal 101 for Start-Ups and is ready for the “next step”
Speakers:
- Ronen Benin, CEO, Zero to One Strategic
- Chris Dittrich, Partner, Fasken LLP
- Kate Grant, Business Advisor, Fasken LLP
Event Details:
📅 Date: Oct 23, 2025
⏰ Time: 1:00 – 2:00PM EST
📍 Location: Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus, 108 College St, Toronto, W758 & W760 (online viewing option available upon registration)
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical insights from seasoned experts who have helped countless companies incorporate effectively and secure millions in non-dilutive funding!
Workshop Agenda
1. Welcome & Context Setting
- Introduction
- Samantha Goodspeed, UTEST & Hayley McKay, SpinUp
- Ronen Benin, Zero to One Strategic; Chris Dittrich & Kate Grant, Fasken LLP
- Brief recap of Legal 101 session two weeks prior
- Purpose of today’s session: a deeper dive into company structure and its impact on funding opportunities later down the line
2. Incorporation 101 (Fasken)
- Legal and strategic benefits of incorporation
- Protecting founders, employees, and intellectual property
- Building credibility with investors, funders, and partners
- General examples of companies that benefited from early incorporation
- Share structures and governance considerations vis a vis tax implications and planning
- Long-term implications for fundraising and exit strategies
3. Non-Dilutive Funding: What It Is & Why It Matters (Zero to One)
- Background from Zero to One
- Definition and examples of non-dilutive funding (grants, subsidies, tax credits, etc.)
- Navigating various funding sources: government, institutional, industry-specific
- Best practices for maximizing access to non-dilutive funding
4. The Intersection of Incorporation & Non-Dilutive Funding (Fasken/Zero to One)
- How the right company structure unlocks funding opportunities
- Why incorporation status matters for eligibility
- Common pitfalls start-ups face in structuring themselves for grants and credits (i.e. US based incorporation)
5. Q&A
6. Action Steps for Founders (All)
- Practical checklist for start-ups to evaluate their structure
- Immediate steps to prepare for non-dilutive funding opportunities
- Resources from Fasken LLP and Zero to One Strategic
7. Closing/Networking
