Rajeev (Raj) Dewan is a leading business lawyer with a thriving capital markets and securities practice. He regularly acts on behalf of high-growth companies in the eSports, health-care / life sciences, mining and technology sectors. Raj provides advice on a variety of matters, including going public transactions, financings, domestic and cross-border M&A, international joint ventures and corporate governance.

As part of McMillan’s Hong Kong office, Raj is actively focused on cross-border transactions and listings between Canada and Asia, and regularly advises merchant banks, family offices, public companies and investment banks based in Asia on going public and M&A in North America.

Raj is a recent appointee to the TSX Venture Exchange’s Listing Advisory Committee (Ontario), which advises senior management at the TSX Venture Exchange on policy developments and trends in the capital markets. Raj also recently served on the Ontario Securities Commission’s (OSC)’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Committee, which examined policies and practices affecting SMEs in the interests of capital market efficiency and investor protection.

A charter member and director of the Toronto chapter of TiE Global, an international network of entrepreneurs, Raj is also a mentor and legal advisor to the Toronto chapter of the Founder Institute, the world’s largest entrepreneur training and startup launch program.



Representative Matters

  • Advised VIQ Solutions (TSXV: VIQ) in connection with a $20MM bought deal financing by way of a short form prospectus where Paradigm Capital Inc. was lead underwriter.
  • Advised Toronto based start-up Cluep Inc. in connection with its $53MM sale to Impact Group, Inc. a leading sales and marketing company, focusing on grocery brokerage and CPG brands across the United States, and a portfolio company of CI Capital Partners LLC., a New York based private equity firm.
  • Advised Treasury Metals Inc. (TSX: TML) in connection with the acquisition of the Goldlund Gold Project from First Mining (TSX: FF) and a concurrent $11.5MM financing where Haywood Securities Inc. was acting as lead agent.
  • Advised Zhaojin Mining Industry Company Limited (HKG: 1818) in connection with the various M&A mandates of Canadian public mining companies.
  • Advised Antera Ventures I Corp. (TSXV: ANT) in connection with the establishment and the initial listing of a capital pool company, the subsequent qualifying transaction with Wishpond Technologies Corp and concurrent subscription receipt financing of approximately $4MM lead by Beacon Securities Inc.
  • Advising foreGrowth Inc. in connection with the establishment of various investment vehicles for the acquisition of real estate in North America.
  • Advised SpringLeaf Engineering PTE (Singapore) Ltd, a Singapore based engineering services company (CSE: SLE) in connection with a cross-border listing on the Canadian Stock Exchange.
  • Advising Swala Oil and Gas (Tanzania) PLC in connection with a proposed acquisition of a TSXV oil & gas company.
  • Advised GreenSky Capital Inc. in the establishment of the GreenSky Accelerator Fund I, LP an early stage venture fund.
  • Advised Panaxia Inc. (an Israeli based pharmaceutical company) in connection with a pre-RTO financing in Canada where Echelon Wealth Partners Inc. were acting as lead agent..
  • Advised VIQ Solutions Inc. (TSXV: VIQ) in connection with a $15MM acquisition finance facility with Crown Capital Partners (TSX: CRWN).
  • Advised Difference Capital Financial Inc.(TSX: DCF)in connection with a private placement financing with Bluedrop Performance Learning Inc. (TSX V: BPL)
  • Advised Redline Communications Inc. (TSX: RDL) in connection with various joint ventures in the Middle East.
  • Advised Cancana Resources Corp. (TSX V: CNY) (a TSXV 50 Company) in connection with a joint venture and concurrent financing of approximately $6MM with Ferrometals BV (an affiliate of The Sentient Group) for the acquisition of shares of Rio Madeira Comércio Importação e Exportação de Minérios Ltda.
  • Advised Sentry Metrics Inc. (a Profit 100 Company) in connection with its acquisition by The Herajevac Group.
  • Advised Black Marlin Energy Limited (a Dubai-based oil and gas company) in connection with a RTO and concurrent private placement financing on the TSX Venture Exchange (this was one of the first RTOs on the TSX Venture Exchange involving a Middle Eastern company).
  • Advised Bharti Airtel on its US$10.7-billion acquisition of Kuwait based Zain’s telecom businesses in 15 African countries (the second largest acquisition ever by an Indian Company).

Speaking Engagements

Canadian Opportunities for Singaporean Companies, Investing, Accessing Public Venture Capital, Working and Living in Canada

September 28, 2022

Hong Kong-Canada Business Association Annual National Conference & Keynote Luncheon, Accelerating Innovation and Digital Transformation in Asia

September 23, 2022

Accessing Canadian Public Venture Capital, Singapore, GEX Ventures Annual Conference

September 2019

Accessing Public Venture Capital on the Canadian Securities Exchange

October 2018

Hong Kong and the PRC: Canada's Gateway to Half the World (Panel) The Third TransPacific Entrepreneurial Conference, HKCEC, Wanchai, Hong Kong

November 2016

Opportunities for Chinese Investment in Ontario technology companies 2016 Canada-China Investment & Trade Conference, Toronto, Ontario

September 2016

News


Media Mentions


Rankings & Recognitions

  • Recognized in the 2022 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Repeatedly Recommended Lawyer in the area of Corporate Mid-Market
  • Recognized in the 2021 Lexpert Special Edition on Canada’s Leading Health Sciences Lawyers as a Leading Health Science Lawyer
  • Recognized in the 2021 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Repeatedly Recommended Lawyer in the area of Corporate Mid-Market
  • Recognized in the 2021 Lexpert Special Edition on Canada’s Leading Technology Lawyers as a Leading Technology Lawyer

Directorships & Affiliations

  • Mentor, SuperCharger FinTech Accelerator (Hong Kong)
  • TSXV Listing Advisory Committee
  • Member, Singapore Institute of Directors
  • Former Committee Member, Ontario Securities Commission’s Small and Medium Enterprises Committee (SMEC)
  • Charter Member and Director, Toronto Chapter of TiE Global

Education & Admissions

1999
Called to the Ontario bar
2011
Certificate in Islamic Finance University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management
1997
LLB Osgoode Hall Law School
1994
BA (with Distinction)University of Toronto

Publications

  • “Legal and Commercial Challenges in Private Equity in the Middle East”, Private Equity in Emerging Markets: New Frontiers of International Finance (2012)

Insights (10 Posts)

Featured Insight

Capital Pool Companies and Opportunities for Raising Growth Capital and Going Public in Canada

Together with TMX, join a panel discussion with industry leaders as they provide an overview of opportunities in the Canadian capital markets and the Capital Pool Company (“CPC”) program. They will speak on structuring and listing a CPC and key considerations in completing a Go-Public Transaction.

Details
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Featured Insight

TSX Venture Exchange Amends Equity Compensation Policies

On November 24, 2021, the TSX Venture Exchange published a bulletin announcing amendments to its policies regarding security based compensation.

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Dec 6, 2021
Featured Insight

NFTs and Implications Under Canadian Securities Law

This article discusses the treatment of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as securities and related regulatory considerations in Canada.

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Aug 16, 2021
Featured Insight

Canadian Regulatory Direction and Pressure for Cryptocurrency Platforms

Canadian regulators affirm their position on 'crypto trading platforms' through CSA Staff Notice 21-329 and subsequent enforcement action.

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Jul 7, 2021
Featured Insight

Opportunities for Canadian Biotech Companies on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange

Opportunities for Canadian Biotech Companies on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange

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May 18, 2021
Featured Insight

Grabbing Headlines – NEO Introduces New ‘G-Corp’ to Provide Greater Opportunities for Capital Raising

NEO Exchange Inc. announces innovative listing offering to facilitate capital-raising opportunities for earlier stage and high growth companies.

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Apr 19, 2021
Featured Insight

Changes Expected to Lead to Renewed Interest in TSXV’s Capital Pool Company Program

On December 1, 2020, the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) announced changes to its Capital Pool Company (CPC)
program to become effective on January 1, 2021.

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Dec 2, 2020
Featured Insight

CSA Reinforces Position that Securities Laws Apply to Cryptocurrency Offerings, Confirms Regulatory Scrutiny for Industry Participants

Jun 11, 2018, CSA published Staff Notice 46-308 – Securities Law Implications for Offerings of Tokens providing regulatory guidance on token and coin offerings.

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Jul 19, 2018
Featured Insight

OSC Grants Exemptive Relief to Token Funder Inc.

OSC Grants Exemptive Relief to Token Funder Inc.

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Nov 1, 2017
Featured Insight

HKEX’s Proposed New Board Presents Unique Opportunities for Early Stage Tech Canadian Companies

HKEX's Proposed New Board Presents Unique Opportunities for Early Stage Tech Canadian Companies

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Jul 19, 2017