Our History
Jansson was originally founded in 1994 as a holding company and tax shelter to house profits for real-estate investment activity and revenues from certain small business consulting. In 1995 Jansson did its first JV with an architectural animation company doing ‘Virtual Tours’ of proposed developments and grew the company with success. In 1996 the company structured a strategic partnership and successful takeovers of both an internet provider and a graphics animation company. The company invested $1.7M into a JV that was poised to un-seat the only internet provider in Calgary, AB at that time Cadvision.
The company and its approximately 40 employees, restructured and downsized in 1998 under growth pressure and was supplanted by players in that space with much greater resources and reach. Learning from growth mistakes and moving to the shores that were more familiar, the founder began focusing in upon it’s core strengths and competencies which remain today … corporate finance and financial architecture. After it’s first successful transaction of raising $7.5M and the JV purchase of 4 major office towers (the value today of which would be approximated conservatively to be $1.2B), the company continued to consult with small business and raise capital for various projects in which Jansson would retain an equity interest in.
In the early 2000’s Jansson began infusing profits into companies it was mentoring, and raising additional funds to exploit certain opportunity it saw as having upside and found several opportunities that provided a solid financial base in which to launch Jansson Capital Services as it is today.
The company now solely operates as a consultancy grooming companies and their opportunities and facilitating capital infusions strategically. With over 20 years of experience Jansson utilises the skill set of its original founder, and the expertise of a plethora of skilled business people in association.
We are a multi-faceted practice that can assist almost any business in matters of corporate finance and offer several services to better the overall health of a company.
Jansson and its affiliated companies were founded by Murray Laing,
the son of JANICE LAING (1938-1987)
Murray Laing
JAN’S SON (Murray) had the privilege of being born to an amazing human being who left a legacy of solid life lessons, built upon a foundation of Love and Respect.
And, yes he strongly believes these are the foundation of the social science called ‘business’.
His mom was simply called “JAN” and thus the name of JANSSON was born. Jan was a teacher and among other things taught others that ‘anything was possible’. She taught all those who knew her that with perseverance, ethics and kindness, education and above all, love, we can achieve greatness in any area; and such values belong in business dealings.
Murray has built his business career with the unwavering guidance of Janice’s teaching.
He began being fascinated by entrepreneurship at a very young age and had several little ventures and his first actual business by the age of 17 years old.
After a successful 7 years of university education, he fashioned an entrepreneurial approach to all his business dealings and remains dedicated to small business and independent financial reliance. Murray’s formal education focused his attention in the areas of finance, marketing, contract law and entrepreneurial-ism.
After founding the original Jansson, Murray was involved in small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures that has exposed him to almost every conceivable space in commerce. With both public and private business exposure, Murray has forged a skill set involving deal structuring and a business acumen in the world of corporate finance that would be considered unmatched by many.
Both personally and with JV partners, Murray has raised and infused 100’s of millions into various businesses and has worked on countless ventures and financing projects involving $100M+
Aside from operating Jansson Capital Services, Murray maintains other interests while volunteering several hours each week to struggling entrepreneurs and individuals.
Since the mid 90’s Murray has been invited to speak on entrepreneurial-ism in both Canada and the USA. He has designed programs to teach entrepreneurial-ism to both upper mobility individuals and less fortunate individuals who may be marginalized and needing guidance.