Show Notes
Jack Newton is one of Canada’s most successful and enduring founders — the CEO and Co-Founder of Clio, the legal-tech platform that’s transforming how law is practiced around the world.
In this episode of The EXIT Podcast, Jack sits down with Adrian Salamunovic to share his 18-year journey — from bootstrapping during the 2008 financial crisis to raising a $900 million USD Series F, the largest private round in Canadian tech history.
Jack opens up about how he built a category-defining company, what it takes to evolve as a founder over nearly two decades, and why the best entrepreneurs build for impact, not exits.
🔥 Watch for these key moments:
⏱ 0:00:00 – Introduction & Clio's $900M roundHow Clio became one of the most valuable SaaS companies in Canada and why Jack’s long-term mindset still drives him today.
⏱ 0:00:07 – Jack Newton: Background & Clio's Origin StoryFrom turning down a PhD under AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton to starting Clio with his childhood best friend in Edmonton.
⏱ 0:05:23 – Building Clio: Early Challenges & Division of RolesThe scrappy startup phase — coding, support, and strategy — handled entirely by two founders.
⏱ 0:07:26 – Co-founder Transition: Ryan's Role ShiftWhy Ryan stepped back from operations and how their friendship survived nearly two decades of building together.
⏱ 0:10:20 – Scaling & Mentorship: Learning from OthersHow mentorship from Zendesk, PointClickCare, and global investors helped Jack scale Clio into a SaaS powerhouse.
⏱ 0:15:16 – Clio's Mission & Transforming Legal ExperienceInside Clio’s bold mission to “transform the legal experience for all” — and the trillion-dollar opportunity ahead.
⏱ 0:19:09 – AI & The Future of Legal ServicesWhy AI will revolutionize how people access justice — and how Clio plans to be at the center of it.
⏱ 0:22:07 – Founding Clio During the Financial CrisisStarting up in 2008, the worst possible time to raise money — and how they survived by betting on the cloud.
⏱ 0:27:08 – Fundraising: Series F & IPO PerspectiveJack’s view on IPOs, liquidity, and building a 100-year company that outlasts its founders.
⏱ 0:30:53 – Advice for Founders: Personal LiquidityWhy taking chips off the table early can actually make you a better, bolder founder.
⏱ 0:34:29 – Acquisition Strategy at ClioHow Clio’s M&A strategy is entirely product-led — acquiring startups that align with its long-term vision.
⏱ 0:39:19 – Founder Advice: Gold Mines & LandminesHiring lessons, investor alignment, and the biggest mistakes to avoid when scaling.
⏱ 0:45:39 – Leadership, Vision, and the Role of CEOHow Jack’s role evolved from builder to visionary — and why product obsession still defines Clio’s culture.
⏱ 0:47:31 – Running and Personal Recharge AnalogiesThe mindset of a marathon runner — and how consistency, not speed, builds generational companies.
💬 About Jack Newton
Jack Newton is the Co-Founder and CEO of Clio, the world’s leading cloud-based legal software. Under his leadership, Clio has grown to serve 150,000 legal professionals across 130 countries and has become one of the most respected SaaS success stories in North America.
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THE EXIT GROUP® – https://www.theexit.group Instagram – http://www.instagram.com/theexit.group Jack Newton – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackbnewton/ Adrian Salamunovic – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriansalamunovic/
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