Professional Services Acquisitions in Canada

BDO Canada LLP has agreed to acquire GrantMatch Corp., an Oakville, Ontario-based funding advisory firm that helps organizations access government grants and incentives. The deal expands BDO’s credits & incentives capabilities by adding GrantMatch’s team and its software/AI-driven platform that tracks thousands of federal, provincial, and municipal funding programs. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Kiwa ASI, a Kiwa Company and U.S.-based provider of food safety inspection and certification services, announced that TSLC has become part of Kiwa ASI. The transaction expands Kiwa ASI’s footprint in Canada and strengthens its agriculture-focused food safety certification capabilities, including CanadaGAP audits and certifications.

Scarlet Security & Risk Group (SSRG) acquired Ontario-based security services provider Pillar Security to expand SSRG’s footprint and capabilities in the Ontario market. Pillar’s staff and management will join SSRG, and founder Fatsah Bennai will remain in a key role to support continuity and integration.

Astria Elevate acquired Entro Communications, a Toronto-founded experiential design firm specializing in placemaking and wayfinding. Following the deal, industry veteran John Campanella was appointed CEO, while founders Wayne McCutcheon and Andrew Kuzyk will remain involved in strategic advisory roles to support continued growth and expansion.

LRQA completed five strategic acquisitions in five months to expand its risk management and assurance capabilities globally. The acquired companies—Ergon Associates, RESET Carbon, StepUp Solution Services, Core Business Solutions, and EcoEngineers—add expertise across social compliance, carbon management, food safety, QMS certification advisory, and clean energy/decarbonization assurance.

Scarlet Security & Risk Group (SSRG) completed a majority acquisition of OHM Security Ltd, an Ontario-based security systems integrator serving the Greater Toronto Area. OHM’s staff and management will join SSRG, while founder Maurice Daoust and partner Dan Daoust will retain partial ownership and continue in leadership roles as SSRG expands its systems integration presence in Ontario.

Association Headquarters, LLC (AH), a portfolio company of Corridor Capital, announced the acquisition of Managing Matters Inc., expanding AH’s association management platform into Canada. Managing Matters, based in Toronto, strengthens AH’s offerings across governance, event planning, marketing, communications, and operational support for professional and trade associations across North America. Managing Matters’ founder Jenny Faucher will retain an ownership stake and continue leading the business as President.

Qualfon Group, a customer experience and marketing services provider, completed the acquisition of VOXDATA Solutions Inc., a multilingual outsourced customer contact center provider. Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, VOXDATA expands Qualfon’s global reach by adding Canadian on-site and remote French-language service capabilities; transaction terms were not disclosed.

M3 Inc. acquired Scribendi Inc. through its subsidiary Edanz Inc., bringing the ISO 9001:2015-certified online editing and proofreading provider into the Edanz group. The combination aims to create a global leader in scientific editing and language/publication solutions by expanding service offerings, global reach, and technology-enabled delivery for researchers, authors, publishers, and institutions worldwide.

Scarlet Security & Risk Group (SSRG) completed a majority acquisition of Sirius Security Services, a long-time local security provider in Yukon, effective Nov. 23, 2022. Sirius’s staff and management will remain in place and work alongside SSRG as the deal expands SSRG’s remote northern operations and increases capacity in Yukon.

GME Supply Co., a portfolio company of Platte River Equity, has acquired TEAM-1 Academy. Headquartered in Burlington, Ontario, TEAM-1 provides safety and rescue training, consultative services, and related equipment to customers in wind and renewable energy, telecommunications, and hazardous material management. The acquisition expands GME’s presence in Canada and strengthens its offering for at-height worker training and safety equipment.

Morrow Sodali acquired Gryphon Advisors, Inc., a Canada-based proxy solicitation and corporate governance advisory firm, expanding Morrow Sodali’s capabilities and footprint in the Canadian market. In connection with the transaction, Morrow Sodali also announced a strategic partnership with Global Governance Advisors (GGA) to enhance executive compensation and governance advisory offerings, with Gryphon’s team operating under the Morrow Sodali brand effective January 1, 2022.

Securiguard Services Limited announced the acquisition of Russell Security Services Inc. (RSSI), a corporate security and safety solutions provider in Ontario. The deal, which officially closed in March 2021, expands Securiguard’s presence into the Ontario market and combines the two firms’ security services operations.

HKW portfolio company Traductions Serge Bélair Inc. (TRSB) acquired Anglocom, a full-service translation company. Anglocom, founded in 1993 and based in Quebec City, expands TRSB’s capabilities and footprint in the translation industry. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Ascend Fundraising Solutions (Ascend) entered into a definitive agreement on April 23, 2021 to acquire Lets Make Results (LMR) Consulting, Inc. LMR is a full-service consulting firm for charitable gaming that helps non-profits develop and manage charitable raffle and lottery fundraising programs, and it will continue operating independently from London, Ontario.

EVERSANA announced an agreement to acquire Cornerstone Research Group, Inc., a Canada-based provider of Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) services. Cornerstone, headquartered in Burlington, Ontario, will transition to the EVERSANA brand, expanding EVERSANA’s global HEOR capabilities across economic modeling, evidence synthesis, and reimbursement strategy. Financial terms were not disclosed.