Blakes UpRound™: July 2025

In this Edition

• What founders and startups need to know about employment law to protect their interests as a company matures.
• New regulations for Ontario employers, new guidelines on the national security review of investments, enhanced capital-raising flexibility for Canadian public companies, tariffs, and other need-to-know topics.
• If last year was any indicator, there is hope that we will see a jump in market activity in the second half of 2025.

Market Insights

Employment Law Considerations for Founders in Emerging Companies — Founders of early-stage companies contribute time and effort well before any formal corporate structure is in place. As a startup matures, it becomes increasingly important to formalize the relationship between the founder and the company, particularly because the founder can occupy multiple legal roles such as shareholder, director, officer and employee. Each role carries distinct rights and obligations, and it's important