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Author Archives: Jordan Dolgin
Should You Become a Director of a New Technology Start-up?
One of the most frequently asked questions I hear in my role advising technology start-ups is: “Do I have any potential personal liability as a new director/officer of a technology start-up?” At the outset, let me refer you to a … Read More
Posted in General, Startups, Technology
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Taxes … Friend or Foe?
One of the great things about starting and operating a business in Canada are the considerable potential tax benefits. There are lots of ways to lawfully reduce the tax burden … both in terms of the taxes you pay on … Read More
Want to Negotiate Better Agreements? Focus on Content + Timing
I truly have the best job in the world. Why? Because in serving my clients, I learn everyday about what works and what doesn’t work in the REAL WORLD of starting, growing and selling businesses. My incremental knowledge base and experience grows … Read More
Posted in Contracts, General, Negotiation
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Does My Ex-Spouse Get My Private Company Shares? Time to Set the Record Straight!
This is a really important question that I get asked frequently by my clients. Unfortunately, there are a number of “myths” out there on this topic … so I thought I would clarify the current law in this area. Sometimes … Read More
Posted in Corporate Divorces, General, Mergers & Acquisitions, Raising Angel Money, Shareholder Agreements, Startups
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Employee Retention: Do “Stay Bonuses” Really Work?
I just finished reading a fantastic book called Built to Sell by well-known author and columnist John Warrillow. It’s extremely well written in a very engaging, fictional style that makes this 150-page inexpensive book easy to read, cover-to-cover, in quiet … Read More
Posted in Employment, Mergers & Acquisitions, Startups, Technology
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How to Pick the “Perfect Partner” … Lessons from A Family Lawyer
I had a really interesting lunch earlier this week with veteran Canadian family law lawyer Andrew Feldstein of Feldstein Family Law Group. As a child of divorced parents, I couldn’t resist asking Andrew to give me his take on how … Read More
Posted in Corporate Divorces, General, Startups, Technology
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Are there Any “Phantom Shareholders” in Your Corporate Closet?
My last post focused on the problem some companies suffer from by having “too many shareholders” and options to remedy this situation. Now I want to discuss a different but equally painful problem … that of the “phantom shareholder“. But first … … Read More
Posted in Employment, General, Mergers & Acquisitions, Startups, Technology
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Does Your Company Suffer From Too Many Shareholders? … Read On!
In the early days of many start-ups, the search for cash is relentless. As my readers know from one of my recent posts, cash is the “oxygen” that feeds all start-ups. In those early days, it’s not uncommon to take cash … Read More
Posted in General, Shareholder Agreements, Startups, Technology
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Want to Motivate Your Staff Without Equity? … Try this!
In my last post (Thinking of Giving Shares to Your Employees? Think Again!), we discussed the importance of taking the time to really understand what your employees need and want to feel motivated, perform highly and stay with your company … Read More
Posted in Contracts, Employment, General, Startups
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Thinking of Giving Shares to Your Employees? Think Again!
“I want to give my employees some equity. What do you think?” I get asked this question a few times each month from clients or prospective clients who want to explore the idea of giving some (or many) of their … Read More
Posted in Contracts, Employment, General, Shareholder Agreements
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