Expert Founder Workshop: Preparing for Growth, Investment & Exit Through Smart Tax Strategy

As your company moves beyond pre-revenue and into real growth, the financial and tax decisions you make now can mean the difference between incremental progress — and exponential value. The right strategy doesn’t just protect your business. It can save you hundreds, thousands, even millions of dollars over time.

MNP is joining the Accelerator Centre for a practical, founder-focused workshop built specifically for growth-stage companies preparing for their next chapter — whether you’re raising capital, scaling operations, graduating from the AC program, or positioning for a successful exit.

This isn’t theory. It’s real-world insight from advisors who work alongside scaling companies every day. You’ll walk away with actionable strategies to strengthen your financial foundation, maximize available funding, and proactively plan for the tax milestones that can materially impact your valuation and long-term success.

What We’ll Cover:

SR&ED for Scale-Ups: Best Practices & What’s Changed
As your R&D investments grow, so do the opportunities — and the risks. Get a practical update on recent SR&ED developments, avoid common claim pitfalls, and learn proven strategies to optimize returns as your operations become more complex.

Tax Planning Strategies for High-Growth Companies: Key Milestones, Triggers & Timing
Growth introduces new tax realities. From investment rounds and ownership changes to exits and operational independence, understand the critical milestones founders must plan for early. Learn how smart, proactive tax strategy can unlock significant savings — and how to avoid the costly missteps many discover too late.

Who Should Attend:

Founders and senior leaders of growth-stage companies who are actively generating revenue and preparing for expansion, investment, or transition.

Position your company for sustainable growth, protect enterprise value, and plan strategically for what comes next.

Jay McLean – Partner, National SR&ED Leader

Jay McLean is a MNP Partner and national leader of the Government Incentive practice including: Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credits, Ontario Interactive Digital Media tax credits (OIDMTC), and more.

He is a designated accountant and engineer with more than 20 years of experience working with companies from varying industry sectors. The majority of Jay’s client work is with SME private companies. Jay is committed to providing clients the highest and most efficient service possible in all situations, and as such will coordinate service engagements.

As the leader of the national SR&ED practice, Jay’s experience spans a variety of R&D settings, prototyping, and production environments including: development of new materials, engineering consulting companies, software development, manufacturing settings, and more. Jay also has considerable experience leading SR&ED audits with the Canada Revenue Agency to very successful outcomes.

Scott Chartrand – Senior Manager, Tax

Scott Chartrand, CPA, CA is a Senior Manager in MNP’s Tax Services practice in Waterloo, Ontario. With more than 14 years of experience in public practice and within one of Canada’s largest insurance organizations, Scott helps small and medium sized businesses navigate complex tax and regulatory matters with confidence.

Scott delivers tailored tax compliance and advisory solutions grounded in a disciplined, client focused approach. By taking the time to understand his clients’ goals, he develops clear and practical strategies to support long-term success. His areas of focus include corporate structuring, succession planning, tax minimization, and acquisitions and divestitures. Known for his strong technical expertise and problem solving skills, Scott provides innovative solutions while ensuring clients remain compliant.

Scott earned his Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) from Laurentian University in 2011. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2014 and completed CPA Canada’s InDepth Tax Program in 2018. He is actively involved in the accounting and financial services community through volunteer leadership and mentorship roles, including involvement with CPA Ontario and the Insurance Institute of Canada.

Tony Papa​ – Partner, ​Regional TMT Leader

Tony is a senior Business Advisor with MNP’s Assurance and Accounting team in Waterloo and the firm’s Regional Leader of Technology, Media, and Telecommunications. Tony is a leader with more than two decades of experience serving companies with international, national and local operations.

Tony works closely with clients across several industries, including technology, manufacturing, consumer business, services, retail, and distribution. He supports his clients in reporting across a multitude of frameworks, such as International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and Accounting Standards for Private Enterprises (ASPE).

Prior to joining MNP, Tony served as the director of financial reporting and corporate finance for a publicly listed Canadian company and was also an audit partner at a global accounting firm.

Tony earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1998. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA) in 2001. Tony is a board member with the Kitchener Soccer Club.