The Legal Innovation Zone and MT Ventures team up to help Canadian legaltech startups prepare for fundraising through a six-month accelerator-style program.
The Legal Innovation Zone (LIZ) at Toronto Metropolitan University is partnering with MT Ventures, the venture division of McCarthy Tétrault, to launch the Startup SuperCharger Program—a new initiative designed to help early-stage Canadian legaltech founders prepare to raise capital.
Running from October 2025 to March 2026, the seven-stage program will culminate in a demo day showcasing participating startups to potential investors. The series will take place at McCarthy Tétrault’s Toronto office and feature sessions led by seasoned entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts.
The curriculum focuses on investment readiness—covering product-market fit, financial storytelling, legal preparedness, and pitch development. Founders will receive mentorship and hands-on support to strengthen their fundraising strategies and materials.
“The LIZ is excited to be working with MT Ventures to pilot this new series, designed specifically to support our early-stage founders at such a consequential point in their startup journey,” said Dr. Sasha Saunders, Director of the Legal Innovation Zone. “Securing capital remains a hurdle for many young companies and is often crucial to unlocking their growth potential. Through the program, we will be providing the knowledge and tools teams need to confidently navigate the fundraising process and succeed.”
Robert Anton, Partner at McCarthy Tétrault, emphasized the firm’s ongoing commitment to Canada’s innovation ecosystem. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with the LIZ to continue to support Canadian entrepreneurs in a critical early moment of any start-up—getting financing,” he said. “Our hope is that the Startup SuperCharger Program not only arms founders with the knowledge they need to navigate the fundraising process, but empowers them to be transaction-ready before that process even begins.”
The initiative marks one of the first collaborations between a major Canadian law firm venture arm and a legal innovation incubator, reflecting a growing trend of cross-sector partnerships aimed at accelerating the country’s legaltech ecosystem.