Legal & IP Counsel

Legal & IP Counsel – Ontario (Preferred)

Location:
Remote (Ontario Preferred)

Commitment:
Fractional |
Compensation:
Equity-First with Milestone-Based Upside

Why This Role Matters

Most legal professionals advise a single company. This role is different.

As Legal & IP Counsel at Nordiqon Venture Studio, you'll shape multiple high-potential startups from day one — structuring how they are incorporated, protecting their intellectual property, guiding fundraising from private markets, and ensuring that every venture is built on a solid legal and governance foundation.

Nordiqon is Canada's first venture studio purpose-built for immigrant, diaspora, and globally-minded founders building
dual-use technologies
. We co-build bold, scalable ventures in:

Ground-Segment Analytics & Space Systems

Autonomous Systems & Robotics

Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure

Multi-Sensor Fusion & Geospatial Intelligence

Defense & Commercial AI/ML Applications

Communications & Edge Computing

We embed product, GTM, and operational specialists into founding teams, giving them a launchpad in Canada's defense and commercial markets and a springboard to global dual-use opportunities.

This role isn't about billable hours or one-off contracts — it's about creating the legal, IP, and fundraising infrastructure that allows Nordiqon ventures to scale, raise capital, and eventually exit.

What You'll Do

Advise on incorporation structures, shareholder agreements, and equity allocation, balancing founder, Nordiqon, and investor interests.

Draft and negotiate contracts, NDAs, SOWs, and venture participation agreements across the studio and portfolio.

Develop and oversee intellectual property strategies, ensuring each venture protects its IP from day one.

Guide ESOP and equity pool structures for Portfolio Venture Experts (PVEs) and Strategic Network Partners (SNPs).

Support fundraising and M&A transactions (term sheets, SAFEs, convertible notes, exits).

Advise portfolio ventures on fundraising strategies across private markets in North America, including investor compliance, term negotiations, and deal readiness.

Ensure regulatory compliance across
defense procurement, export controls (ITAR/EAR), Controlled Goods Program (CGP), and dual-use technology regulations
.

Provide legal and governance input as a standing member of the Acceptance Committee during founder selection.

Collaborate with Nordiqon leadership and portfolio founders to anticipate risks and resolve disputes proactively.

Who You Are

A licensed lawyer in Ontario (or eligible to practice in Canada), with experience in corporate, commercial, fundraising, or IP law.

Skilled in early-stage venture transactions and familiar with founder, investor, and studio dynamics.

Knowledgeable about IP protection frameworks, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and licensing.

Familiar with fundraising processes in private markets across North America (angel networks, family offices, VCs).

Comfortable advising across multiple industries and identifying sector-specific compliance risks.

Entrepreneurial, resourceful, and motivated by the upside of an equity-first role.

Excited by the idea of working across 15+ ventures per year instead of just one.

What We Offer

Equity-first compensation during the initial phase, with additional equity and/or pay tied to clear legal, IP, and fundraising milestones.

Influence on venture selection and legal structuring via the Acceptance Committee.

Opportunity to design legal and fundraising playbooks that scale across multiple startups.

Mission-driven environment working with ambitious immigrant and diaspora founders building
dual-use technologies
globally from Canada.

Exposure to multiple verticals and deal types — from incorporations to exits.

Program Flow You'll Impact

Phase 1 — Sprint:
Ventures validate market fit, secure foundational legal/IP protections, and prepare investor readiness strategies.

Phase 2 — Incubation:
Ventures grow toward product-market fit, fundraising readiness, and investor-grade governance.

Outcome:
Spinout-ready ventures with clean structures, defensible IP, and a legal foundation for growth, capital raising, and exit opportunities.

How to Apply

If you're ready to use your legal, IP, and fundraising expertise to shape bold, globally-minded ventures, indicate your interest directly to the job ad or email
.