About Us

What Is Auctus Innovation?

Instead of complex high-cost projects and structures, this new cohort of entrepreneurs prefers simplicity and complete comprehension of the functionality and the benefits of such structures and how they can be easily integrated and maintained in their business model. They also require sustained engagement to ensure these legal, financial and management structures remain nimble and adaptive to their constantly evolving business environment.

The traditional ‘Fee for services’ model, with senior advisors in large law firms and investment firms charging exorbitant fees, just doesn’t work and is unaffordable.

The Auctus business model offers an alternative service model with an adaptive compensation program suited to meet the needs of this new generation of young entrepreneurs.

The Auctus mission is to accompany innovation and technology companies throughout their journey, from inception to full funding and exit, by providing the fundamental foundation of legal, financial and management structures to support the company’s growth to a successful conclusion. 

By integrating the company’s decision-making processes, the Auctus executive team and advisors will provide expert legal, financial and management advisory and coaching services to shore up the company’s management team and Board of Directors to be more attractive to capital investors.

The Auctus Story?

Auctus was founded by Jean Castonguay and Tim McCunn. Jean and Tim have known each other since McGill University. They together have over 60 years of experience in the Canadian “innovation ecosystem” as legal and financial advisors, founders, officers, directors, and investors of startups. Auctus’ mission is to be an Accelerator for founders to take them to full funding and exit. 

Jean has been a senior counsel with many law firms but has also been an entrepreneur acting as a CEO and sometimes as a CFO in several start-up and high growth companies spanning the life sciences, technology, and manufacturing sectors.

Tim is a corporate lawyer whose practice has centered around biotech and technology start-ups including corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions transactions. He has advised on hundreds of transactions. In addition, Tim has been a founder of several venture capital funds, life science investment banks, several incubators, as well as many start-ups in the biotech and tech sectors.

Auctus was established because both Jean and Tim wanted to address a gap in the innovation economy: start-up companies have difficulty accessing the services of experienced advisors who can lay the proper foundation for a high-growth company. Although all of these services are available, they are typically housed within large law and accounting firms ill-suited to a start-up entrepreneur primarily because of cost. The traditional “fee for service” model, with senior advisors in large law firms, accounting firms and investment firms charging high fees, does not work for this new generation of entrepreneurs. The Auctus business model offers an alternative business model with an adaptive compensation program tailored to meet the needs of this new generation.

Our Philosophy

Auctus seeks to be part of the founder team, whose specific contribution is building the legal and financial infrastructure required for success. We seek to take a start-up from conception to a Series A financing. We do so based on compensation in the form of equity and contingent fees.

Jean Castonguay

President, CEO & CFO

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Tim McCunn

Co-Founder

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