TLDR:
- Blakes upRound™ is a publication that highlights legal developments relevant to venture investors and emerging companies.
- This edition covers topics such as leveraging intellectual property, online content regulations, and venture capital market insights.
Blakes upRound™ is a regular publication from the Blakes Emerging Companies & Venture Capital (EC&VC) group that provides insights on legal developments for venture investors and emerging companies. The March 2024 edition covers various key topics:
One of the key focuses is on the importance of intellectual property (IP) for startups and scaleups. The bulletin discusses common categories of IP in Canada and best practices for protecting and leveraging IP to enhance a company’s competitive advantage.
Another important update is the introduction of the Online Harms Act in Canada, which aims to moderate harmful content online and hold online platforms accountable. The Act could have significant implications for online content moderation and compliance for companies.
Additionally, the publication delves into topics such as cybersecurity, Fintech and Payments Guidelines, fund formation and investment trends, and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in financial institutions.
The publication features insights from Paul Ciriello on the venture capital market in 2024, highlighting trends in seed stage investments, technology sectors, and the overall investment landscape. Ciriello anticipates an increase in investment activity later in the year as market dynamics evolve.
The Deal Monitor section provides data on key transactions in the health-care and biotech sectors in 2023, showcasing strategic partnerships and financing rounds. The end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024 have been relatively slow, with companies adapting to market conditions and awaiting potential interest rate cuts to spur investment activity.
