Osler’s Emerging and High Growth Companies practice launches Venture Fund Group

Chima Ubani, Chad Bayne

Aug 8, 2022

Osler’s Emerging and High Growth Practice is proud to announce the formation of a dedicated Venture Fund Group.

The Venture Fund Group operates nationally and will be led by Co-Chairs Chima Ubani from Montréal and Ed Vandenberg from Ottawa, partners in the Emerging and High Growth Companies practice. Long recognized as a leading firm for venture capital fund formation and structuring in Canada, Osler will continue to advise the most innovative Canadian and international venture funds and provide advice to fund managers at all stages and sizes, from first time managers forming their first fund or SPV to well-established managers expanding their platform. The Venture Fund Group also provides counsel to managers in connection with formation of funds that are integrated with a venture studio, accelerator, foundry, incubator, or other similar model.

“Our venture fund practice has been growing from strength to strength over the last several years and as it continued to grow, it became apparent that the potential for synergies between that practice and the national EHG practice could not be ignored any longer,” says Chima. “Being part of a national team with such a strong deal flow and presence, will allow us to provide our fund clients the benefits of advisors who, in addition to having fund formation expertise, are aware of leading market practice with respect to early and growth stage investing.”

Expansion of Osler’s Emerging and High Growth Companies practice

The firm is also expanding our dedicated EHG team in Montréal.

“This is a natural step for Osler’s Emerging and High Growth team, which has been immersed in the Québec market and working closely with leading early and high growth stage startups for many years now,” says Nathalie Beauregard, partner in the Emerging and High Growth Companies practice, who will lead the team in Montréal. “Expanding our team in Montréal will help entrepreneurs, investors and venture capital clients benefit from dedicated local resources experienced with national and international level deals.”

Osler’s Emerging and High Growth Companies practice is ranked Band 1 in Chambers Canada and acts for more than 1,500 early, growth and late-stage ventures along with venture funds and private investors across Canada, the United States and around the world.

“Formalizing the Emerging and High Growth Companies practice in Montréal and establishing a Venture Fund Group that is fully integrated into Osler’s national and leading Emerging and High Growth practice, is an important milestone for the practice and our firm,” says Chad Bayne, Co-Chair of Osler’s Emerging and High Growth practice. “These exciting developments deepen our ability to serve our clients at every corner of the Canadian Tech Ecosystem.”