Overview
Building on innovation. That's what we mean by a different kind of practice.
Our Team
Choosing BCF means opting for a team that has made venture capital a cornerstone of the firm’s expertise since it was founded in 1995. We act on behalf of investors and guide them through the establishment of venture capital funds and the completion of their investments. We also assist in the growth of our clients’ businesses by assisting them through various rounds of venture capital financing. Our clientele in this area consists of funds and venture capital institutions, universities and research centres, businesses in the innovation sector, researchers, entrepreneurs and angel investors.
We are as adept in legal intricacies as in the financial aspects of investing, whether by way of equity, convertible debentures or other financial instruments. Our experience in cutting-edge legal sectors, combined with our business experience, our multidisciplinary approach and, above all, our vast North American and European networks have made BCF a leader in Quebec in this sector.
Investee Companies
Our team assists and advises businesses at each stage of the financing chain. We may act on behalf of established or emerging companies, accompany university spin-offs, start-ups, negotiate A, B or C rounds of domestic or cross-border financing, or assist in venture capital-financed mergers or acquisitions. Our team provides integrated expertise that is required for this sphere of activity, particularly when it comes to protecting and commercializing intellectual property, implementing corporate structures, tax planning or preparing public offerings.
With more than 15 venture capital-related transactions taking place each year with Quebec-based businesses, we remain at the forefront of current market practices, especially with respect to financing structures and terms and conditions, officer compensation, and management agreements.
Investing in Corporate Capital
We also act on behalf of venture capital funds, investment research organizations or angel investors interested in investing new capital in Canada or abroad. We have steered many buyouts on behalf of venture capitalists who invested in complex transactions or when public technology companies were going private.
Fund Creation
Our understanding of the complex legal and commercial issues related to creating funds enables us to offer informed advice to our clients in this industry.
Our strategic team can be of particular assistance in many of the steps required to create a fund, including tax structuring, establishing an appropriate governance model, negociating inventor rights and fund manager compensation.
Liquidity Events
In any capital investment, the liquidity event is an essential element for both management and investor. BCF enjoys a solid reputation in the public markets, particularly with respect to initial public offerings as well as domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions. On the strength of our vast experience, we are an advisor of choice in any liquidity event.
Conflicts among Shareholders
Should a dispute arise between the management of a business and the private equity investors, or should an investment fail, our litigation team is able to assist in a number of ways: enforcing special contractual remedies, invoking statutory oppression, seeking an injunction, negociating an arrangement with creditors or forcing a liquidation.
We are also leading experts in mediation and arbitration. Not all disputes are meant to be settled in court. Our team can analyze a contentious situation and identify the aspects that prevent its resolution. We help our clients to diffuse these obstacles, thereby clarifying the prevailing business reality and resolving the conflict.
