WatStart sponsors include professional service firms that have shown their support for tech startup companies. They are all interested in helping your startup grow—that's why they became sponsors of WatStart.
Law firms
Bereskin & Parr: Founded in 1965, Bereskin & Parr is one of the leading intellectual property specialty firms in Canada. The firm has over 50 lawyers, patent and trade mark agents, many of whom are leading practitioners in their practice areas. The firm's practice is comprehensive, encompassing all aspects of intellectual property, including patents, litigation, licensing and transactions, marketing & advertising, new media/copyright, and trade marks. Contact: Neil Henderson, nhenderson@bereskinparr.com. Phone: 519-783-3210.
Gowlings: With over 700 professionals nationwide, Gowlings focuses on providing sophisticated, client-focused and innovative legal solutions to its clients. With Canada's largest intellectual property practice and the largest local technology practice, Gowlings also draws on the strength of its corporate commercial, securities, litigation and government relations practice groups to provide services to its diversified client base, which includes both domestic and international clients ranging from start-ups to established international companies. Contact: Rosa Lupo, rosa.lupo@gowlings.com. Phone: 519-575-7511.
Osler: Osler's Technology Business Group provides assistance with financings, M&A transactions, technology licensing agreements, and strategic commercial matters. We work with companies ranging from startups to large cap public entities. We're based in Toronto and work with clients in Waterloo, with additional offices in Ottawa, Montréal, Calgary, and New York. Osler provides integrated legal services with specialists in virtually every area of business law. Our breadth of legal expertise allows us to provide the kind of seamless, integrated service our clients require. Year after year, Osler appears at or very near the top in all of the national and international surveys of clients and peers that rank law firms in Canada and other jurisdictions. While top third party rankings are gratifying, we know that what really matters is the confidence our clients continue to place in us. Contact: Geoff Taber, gtaber@osler.com. Phone: 416-862-6614
Accounting firms
Deloitte: Your growth, products, business plan, market share and overall structure — they’re all subject to the changing nature of the high tech world. How do you succeed in an industry that redefines itself day to day? Our technology, media & telecommunications professionals have worked with companies in every sector, including software, semiconductor, networking, biotechnology, computers, peripherals, telecommunications, cable, media, and Internet. Our in-depth business experience means we can provide effective, strategic solutions that are tailored to your needs. Contact: Jane Jantzi, jjantzi@deloitte.ca.
Ernst & Young: In Waterloo Region, from our offices at 515 Riverbend Drive, we provide tax, accounting and advisory services to clients of all sizes -from those just starting to some of the largest public companies in the region. We take special pride in watching our clients grow and succeed. We have local specialists in SR&ED tax credits, stock option compensation and many of the other issues you will face. Call us, and we will share our experience with you. Contact: Jim McIlwham, jim.mcilwham@ca.ey.com. Phone: 519-571-3324.
PriceWaterhouseCoopers: PwC is a world leader in providing professional assurance, advisory and tax services to technology companies of all sizes. PricewaterhouseCoopers brings a unique approach to the market, providing the appropriate financial accounting and tax planning and compliance services to clients based upon their stage of development. Our practical solutions, developed by being a market leader advising technology companies of all sizes, help early stage companies in maximizing the financial and managerial resources available to achieve their critical goal - bringing new technology to market as quickly as possible. PricewaterhouseCoopers helps early stage technology companies turn their Vision to Reality. Contact: Martin Kern, martin.kern@ca.pwc.com.
Banks
RBC Royal Bank: Whether you are established or starting out, we will be able to guide you with practical financial advice for you and your business. RBC Royal Bank can help you apply for a loan or a line of credit, open a business account, process payments, and assist you with cash management. Contact: Jerry Tsao, jerry.tsao@rbc.com.
Venture capital firms
EdgeStone Capital Partners: The EdgeStone Capital Venture Fund provides capital to early-stage technology companies whose product or service is substantially complete and already tested. In particular, we invest in pure-play software companies in the enterprise solution, transaction-processing, and networking marketplaces, that market to Global 2000 companies. Contact: Laura Lenz, llenz@edgestone.com.
Tech Capital Partners: Based in Waterloo, Tech Capital Partners manages $95 million in venture capital. Tech Capital provides seed financing, hands-on leadership, market strategy and operational guidance to early-stage technology companies that have the potential to compete at a global level. Since its inception in 2001, Tech Capital has invested in some of Canada's most innovative high-tech companies. Contact: Jacqui Murphy, jmurphy@techcapital.com. Phone: 519-883-8656.
Other services
Accelerator Centre: See the wiki entry.
Communitech: See the wiki entry.
Marsland Centre: Marsland Centre Limited is a high value-added space provider that develops, owns and manages a portfolio of commercial and industrial real estate concentrating on custom turnkey office and light manufacturing space for knowledge-based industries in the technology and financial sectors. We offer our clients custom full design-build, in-house contracting and construction management services and a network of proven, cost-effective and technologically knowledgeable subtrades and consultants. Contact: Brad Marsland, lbm@marsland.on.ca. Phone: 519-886-2940.
NRC-IRAP: See the wiki entry.
PacketWorks:
