North Forge continues to build legal support for the start-up community by stepping into a partnership with Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP.

WINNIPEG, April 23, 2024 – Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, known for working with industry and business leaders in all market segments and at various stages in the growth of their businesses, has now joined North Forge Technology Exchange’s (NF) growing ecosystem to provide additional top-tier legal services. This collaboration is a powerhouse union, blending North Forge Technology Exchange’s rich history of tech entrepreneurship nurturing with Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP’s robust legal expertise. North Forge has been at the forefront of tech innovation, cultivating an environment rich with entrepreneurs, mentors, and tech start-ups in Manitoba. Meanwhile, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP has built a reputation on its commitment to client success and its experience, expertise, and collaborative approach.

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP’s Emerging and High Growth Companies Group and Venture Capital teams help clients recognize, develop, and realize innovative venture capital opportunities. Osler acts for more than 1,500 early, growth and late-stage ventures and venture investors across Canada, the United States and around the world. The EHG team publishes its annual Deal Points Report: Venture Capital Financings, which includes data from venture capital and growth equity preferred share financings completed by the firm. 

“Partnering with North Forge Technology Exchange gives Osler the opportunity to increase our support of entrepreneurs across Manitoba with strategic growth-focused legal advice to build and scale their businesses,” says Michael Grantmyre, partner in Osler’s Emerging and High Growth Companies group based in the Prairies. “Our team is incredibly pleased to work with North Forge to help advance and support the startup community across Manitoba.”

North Forge is a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and other stakeholders to assist start-ups through carefully curated tools and resources. It supports the growth of Manitoban professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators while contributing to a strong and more diverse workforce in the province. By organizing networking events, workshops, and seminars that encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing within the Manitoban start-up ecosystem, North Forge provides elite support for businesses to thrive and succeed. 

“Start-ups and entrepreneurs embody the spirit of innovation, showcasing unparalleled dedication, grit, and out-of-the-box thinking. With innovative ideas at their core, they need additional support to evolve these visions into scalable ventures. Through our partnership with Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, we’re providing these start-ups with the essential tools and knowledge they need to grow their businesses and play a pivotal role in advancing Manitoba’s economy,” stated Joelle Foster, President and CEO of North Forge.

By joining forces, North Forge and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, not only aim to accelerate economic development in the Prairies but also ensure start-ups have access to premier legal advice. The partnership signifies a commitment to fostering a thriving innovation ecosystem where North Forge tech start-ups can access preferred legal advisors.

For more information, please contact:

North Forge Technology Exchange – Media contact:
Whitney Moir
Program and Communications Director
wmoir@northforge.ca
C: 1-204-761-7894
P: 1-204-262-6400

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP – Media contact:
Rebecca Goldberg
Media and Public Relations Manager
rgoldberg@osler.com
P:416.646.4485

About North Forge Technology Exchange:

North Forge Technology Exchange is a non-profit incubator accelerator that works with startups across Canada and globally in technology, STEM, and advanced manufacturing from the ideation stages through to acceleration. They fuel Canada’s innovation economy, providing founders with experienced mentors, entrepreneurs-in-residence, award-winning growth coaches, and a unique, online four-stage Founders program. They have worked with over 330 companies and have created over 1,900 jobs. Armed with North America’s largest non-profit fabrication lab (FabLab), they operate out of 35,000 square feet across Innovation Drive and Innovation Alley in Winnipeg, Manitoba. North Forge is also a designated incubator by the IRCC for the Start-up Visa Program

About Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP:

Osler is a leading law firm with a singular focus – your business. From Toronto, Montréal, Calgary, Ottawa, Vancouver and New York, we advise our Canadian, U.S. and international clients on an array of domestic and cross-border legal issues. Our collaborative “one firm” approach draws on the expertise of more than 550 lawyers to provide responsive, proactive and practical legal solutions driven by your business needs. For over 160 years, we’ve built a reputation for solving problems, removing obstacles, and providing the answers you need, when you need them. It’s law that works.